01. CAREER PLANNING
Junior year
Senior year
ASSESS
ASSESS
Reflect on what you’ve learned from each internship, job, and student involvement experience.
Reflect on how your values and interests might determine your choice of a work setting.
Identify your skills and values by doing a Motivated Skills or Values Card Sort with an NCA career counselor.
If you don’t have a clear career focus yet, meet with an NCA career counselor to discuss your options.
EXPLORE
EXPLORE
Research employers of interest using WetFeet, Vault, Hoover’s, LinkedIn, and company websites.
Research employers of interest using WetFeet, Vault, Hoover’s, LinkedIn, and company websites.
Evaluate summer internship options with your NCA career adviser.
DECIDE
Expand your knowledge of job opportunities, examine work settings, and prepare for interviewing by networking at employer information sessions, coffee chats, career fairs, etc.
Select a summer opportunity that will provide relevant experience and skill development for your desired career.
DECIDE
Identify two or three industries to consider for full-time postgraduate employment and learn their recruiting timelines.
Select two or three industries to pursue for full-time employment and learn about and implement the best search techniques for them.
ACT
If you are interested in highly competitive graduate programs or fields, develop a postgraduation backup plan.
Continue to network with Northwestern alumni using the LinkedIn alumni tool. Contact the Office of Fellowships for information about career-related fellowships. Develop a polished professional introduction to engage employers and alumni during networking events. Target employers and industries of interest at career fairs. Practice your interviewing skills by participating in a mock interview with your career adviser.
Accept offers for full-time employment or graduate school.
ACT Tailor your résumé toward industries and employers you’re considering. If applicable, begin preparation for graduate school by taking admissions tests in the fall and preparing your application. Attend career fairs to make full-time employment connections with specific employers. Apply for full-time positions as early as possible and tailor cover letters to each company and position. Follow up with employer contacts from past career fairs, information sessions, and informational interviews. Strengthen your interviewing skills by participating in a mock interview with your career adviser. Identify references and request permission to use them in applications for employment or graduate programs.
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