Comets College to Career Guide

Explore - Year 1

Fall Semester

• Activate your Handshake account.
• Attend career readiness exposure events.
• Identify values, interests, personality traits and skills by using resources from the Career and Leadership Center.
• Join a club or organization.
• Volunteer in your field of interest.
• Ask about the UOlivet Advantage.

Spring Semester

• Volunteer for a service opportunity.
• Gain experience through a student job or volunteer experience.
• Meet with your career coach.

Summer

• Work, intern or volunteer.
• Update your resume and identify gaps in your experience.

Resources

• Browse The University of Olivet majors.
• What can I do with my major?
• Link to other outside career resources.

Discover – Year 2

Fall Semester

• Declare your major and ensure you’re on track to graduate.
• Conduct informational interviews and learn more about possible career paths and majors.
• Continue finding internships, part-time work and volunteer opportunities to gain experience.

Spring Semester

• Attend career fairs and workshops.
• Create a LinkedIn profile to build your online brand.
• Make sure your social media accounts are appropriate and professional.
• Practice introducing yourself and making connections by attending job fairs and other social and networking events.

Summer

• Study abroad, intern, work or volunteer.
• Update your resume to reflect your experiences.

Connect – Year 3

Fall

• Seek leadership opportunities in clubs.
• Attend career fairs and workshops.
• Select elective courses and a minor that will enhance your goals and help you develop new skills.

Spring

• Learn to:
  • job search,
  • interview,
  • explain experiences.
• Secure an internship. Keep track of your accomplishments. Talk to your OC internship coordinator to determine if the experience can be used for credit.
• Begin asking faculty and professional contacts for permission to use them as references.

Summer

• Intern, work, volunteer or study abroad.
• Update your resume with professional and academic accomplishments.
• Decide if you want to attend graduate or professional school to earn an advanced degree and complete the admissions requirements. Prepare for standardized tests.

Achieve – Year 4

Fall

• Polish your resume and have it reviewed by career counselors.
• Continue building your network through job fairs and LinkedIn.
• Check Handshake and other job boards regularly for professional postings or apply to graduate or professional school.

Spring

• Practice interviewing with a career counselor or friends.
• Join the appropriate professional organizations to meet other professionals in your field.
• Leverage your network to search beyond advertised jobs.
• Research salary and cost of living using Glassdoor and other online resources.
• Apply to as many positions as interest you.
• In advance of any interview, prepare your interview attire.

Summer

• Engage with the Olivet Collee Office of Alumni Engagement and stay connected.