Welcome back to the start of another exciting stepping stone year. If you’ve just left a summer job at home that you hated, or if you spent all summer arguing with your parents about what is or is not appropriate now that you are a young adult, the idea of potential freedom after graduation is fresh on your brain. You’re prepared to go to class and do the work but what else do you need to get done this year to make sure your dream life stays on track? Here are a couple little things you can do now that will have big payout later.
Doesn’t Matter if you’re a First Year or a Senior This Applies to YOU!
1. Send your summer employer a thank you card! Yes. Take the time to do it. You are collecting relationships that have potential to help you in ways you can’t even imagine. It’s best to build, not burn bridges.
2. Decide which extracurricular clubs and organizations on campus you’d like to join! The reality is that a great GPA just isn’t enough anymore. You need to show that you are an active learner in and outside of the classroom. Nothing on campus you want to do? Consider volunteering in the Lamoni Community.
First Years- Take a variety of classes that interest you. Not sure what you want to major in? No problem! Meet with a CAP center advisor and learn what options there are for you. Get involved on your house! Get to know your H.P (House President), H.D (Hall Director), coaches and professors. These are the people that can help you out when you get lost!
Sophomores- Still not sure what you want to major in? Visit the CAP center, consider doing the Career Exploration winter term this January (Deadline to apply is October so start thinking now). Enroll in CRPL1100 (Career Perspectives and the World of Work) and earn credit while you’re mulling things over. Know what you want? Awesome! If this includes Grad school remember you’ll need to be shooting for a high GPA this year. The minimum being a 3.00.
Juniors- This year is going to be challenging but you can do it! Stay on track with your academic goals. Keep in mind that if you want to go to Grad school it’s time to start looking into your options and learning more about admission requirements. Have you done an internship yet? If not make an appointment at the CAP center to get that done over Winter Term or lined up for next summer. The best way to boost your chances of employment after graduation or admittance to grad school is real world experience in your field. Make it a priority to get some this year!
Seniors- Oh boy. You’re in the home stretch now! Hang in there and finish strong. Impress your professors and ask them questions about graduate school and career path. Start thinking about personal reference letters. You will most likely need three to five letters from people that know you and your work ethic when you apply for graduate school or that first job. Going to Grad school? Awesome! Keep in mind that many schools have standardized test score requirements that differ by program. Get your testing done early first semester because Grad school applications will come due very quickly after Christmas. Have you done an internship yet? Have you done any community service or involved yourself in a leadership role on campus? If not, get that done too. Do you have a resume? Can you write a decent cover letter? Do you have interviewing practice? No??? No problem. The CAP center can help. Enroll in CRPL3100 (Career Perspectives and the World of Work) and earn one hour of upper division credit while you get all this done at the same time. No time for an extra class? Make an appointment at the CAP center and we can work around your schedule.
The CAP center wishes you luck and reminds you it’s never too early to start thinking about your next step.
To make an appointment please call 5200 on campus, a Career Development Professional will be happy to assist you.
