Four-Year Career Action Plan

From Here to Career:

Create your strategy for gaining experience and successfully building toward your future. Become internship and career ready. Regularly visit with a career coach throughout your time at FAU.

Learn how to schedule an appointment at https://fau.edu/career/students/

1st Year: Explore

Explore Majors and Careers

  • Activate your Handshake Account.
  • Meet with a career coach (at least once every semester).
  • Take a work interest assessment through Major KnOWLedge.
  • Enroll in the one-credit SLS1301: Career & Life Planning elective course.

Focus on Academics

  • Set up a study schedule and get involved with study groups with classmates.
  • Attend all classes; don’t sit in the back and keep your camera on for virtual learning.
  • Utilize the Center for Teaching & Learning for free tutoring services.

Get Involved

  • Connect with Student Activities and Involvement to join a student organization through OwlCentral.
  • Find a group of friends through your classes, student organizations, intramural sports or by attending on-campus activities.
  • Volunteer at local organizations or find opportunities through the Weppner Center.

Recommended Online Tools

FAU Handshake account
Major KnOWLedge Self-Assessments
What Can I Do With This Major
Owl Central & Weppner Center

2nd Year: Envision

Second Year

Select Your Major(s) & Career Direction

  • Declare your major and start researching career options within the declared major.
  • Learn about top career skills employers seek by meeting with a career coach.
  • Develop relationships with faculty & administrators to start building your professional
    • network and attend a networking workshop to learn how to effectively network.

Take an Active or Leadership Role

  • Become more involved by serving on a committee or obtaining a leadership role in a student organization.
  • Attend Leadership events (iLead, WeLead) and engage with the Office of Leadership Education & Development (LEAD).
  • Consider getting an on-campus job or part-time job.

Prepare for the Internship Search

  • Create a resume and get it critiqued with a career coach.
  • Identify internships or organizations in Handshake of interest.
  • Do a practice mock interview to gain experience with interviewing.
  • Attend the Internship & Part-Time Job Fair (available every fall and spring semester).
  • Get a free Professional Headshot at the Career Centers’ in-house photo studio & professional attire, as needed,
    • from the Owl’s Professional Clothes Closet.
  • Participate in a job shadow experience through the FAU ExSEL program.

Recommended Online Tools

Handshake Job/Internship and employer postings
Career Advice on Demand Videos
O*Net/Occupational Outlook Handbook

3rd & 4th Year: Succeed

Third Year

Specific Careers & Graduate Programs

  • Narrow your career focus and follow companies/organizations/programs of interest on social media, Handshake or LinkedIn.
  • Explore graduate school & speak to faculty to learn about programs and graduate student positions to help fund your education.
  • Identify graduate school & internship search resources to organize your search.

Network

  • Consider what types of companies or locations you are interested in working at and attend networking events, workshops and career fairs to start making connections.
  • Utilize Handshake’s Student-Alumni Community Resource or Owl Alumni Networks to connect with FAU alumni who had similar experiences and interests.
  • Create a professional LinkedIn profile, join LinkedIn groups of interest and connect with 25 individuals that you find interesting.

Focus on Career Skills Attained

  • Attend a career skill session to learn about career skills and gaps you may have.
  • Conduct a practice interview to articulate career and transferable skills.
  • Complete a career skill self-assessment to identify strengths and areas of opportunities.

Secure an Internship

  • Apply to internships the semester before you intend to intern.
  • Consider earning academic credit for your internship and enrolling in IDS3949.
  • Find ways to stand out at your internship by meeting with an Internship Specialist.
  • Attend the JCPenney Suit-Up event or visit the Owl Professional Clothes Closet to start building your professional wardrobe.

Recommended Online Tools

- https://fau.interviewprep.app
Utilize LinkedIn, Handshake and Owl Networks
Handshake Job/Internship and employer postings

Fouth Year

Apply for Jobs and/or Graduate Programs

  • Research and learn companies’ benefit options and decide what is important to you.
  • Prepare and submit application materials for jobs or graduate programs.
  • Prepare to take graduate entrance exams (GRE, MCAT, LSAT), if needed, or obtain other certifications/licensures related to your career goals.
  • Consolidate your post-graduation strategy and plans.
  • Attend the Career Expo, other career fairs and other networking fairs.

Prepare for the Transition from College to Career

  • Learn how to make an impact at your first job out of college and how to leverage your skills to stand out.
  • Adapt to a new work schedule by using calendar tools such as Google Calendar or Outlook.
  • Update your professional headshot.

Maintain Networking Contacts

  • Stay connected with faculty and colleagues after you leave FAU.
  • Join the FAU Alumni Association.
  • Remain active on Handshake and LinkedIn.
Note- Handshake is available to you as an alumni and career services are free up to one-year post-graduation.

Recommended Online Tools

FAU Handshake
FAU Alumni Association