Navigating college is more than just earning a degree—it’s about building a foundation for a fulfilling career. This Career Planning Checklist is designed to help you make the most of each year, guiding you through key milestones that will prepare you for life after graduation. Whether you’re exploring your interests, gaining experience, or preparing to launch your career, this resource offers practical steps to keep you on track.
Check out the NDSU Career and Advising Center Website. Look through the resources and services available to you throughout your time at NDSU.
Engage with your academic advisor. Develop/Revise an initial academic plan and start to build that relationship/rapport with your advisor – you never know when you’ll need a reference.
Figure out your interests, values, goals, and skills. Create an account in Focus 2 Career platform and complete the 5 self-assessments.
Develop a list of majors, minors and/or careers paths to consider and investigate.
Sign into Handshake and complete your profile. Consider getting a part-time job for the school year.
Check out other events and workshops we host to explore industries/companies, and develop skills.
Draft your resume and cover letter.
Stop by the Career Closet to acquire your 4 items of professional clothing for the year.
Attend a Career Fair in the fall or early spring to start developing your network.
Find a job, internship, or volunteer position for the summer.
Visit our office (in person or zoom) for help on any of these items!
Check out other campus resources to expand your experience build your resume.
Get involved with a student organization. Visit the Student Activities Office and MyNDSU to see the list of organization on campus and then get involved.
Consider volunteering to gain skills and leadership experience. Learn about volunteer and service-learning opportunities in the Fargo-Moorhead community from the NDSU Volunteer Network.
Review the list(s) from 1st Year and continue working on it.
Review your academic plan with your advisor. Check in with your advisor to make sure you are on track.
Acquire skills and experience. Continue learning new skills through a part-time job and/or campus involvement. Check out the ‘Am I Career Ready?’ module in Focus2Career to explore the Career Readiness Competencies employers are looking for in their employees
Consider an internship. Begin considering, planning, and preparing for an internship.
Look into job shadowing with a professional in your field of interest.
Conduct a ‘Career Conversation’ with an employer to help discover and explore career possibilities.
Refine your list of possible majors, minors and/or careers.
Attend a Career Fair in the fall or early spring.
Find a job, internship, or volunteer position for the summer.
Update your resume and practice interviewing.
Create your LinkedIn profile.
Visit our office (in person or zoom) for help on any of these items!
Take a leadership role in your student organization(s) and volunteer experiences.
Start to build professional relationships with professors and other campus individuals. These relationships will be imperative and highly beneficial to you when you need references.
Consider studying abroad. Learn about opportunities from the Study Abroad Services.
Go to Handshake to start your internship and job search process.
Have your resume reviewed/updated.
Practice your Interviewing skills.
Attend career fairs and networking sessions. Make an effort to attend Career Fairs and Networking Sessions, as this will help you meet employers and practice your networking and job searching skills. Check out upcoming events and even more events in Handshake.
Secure an internship experience. Whether this will be your first or second experience, it is highly recommended students participate in an internship either during the school year or in the summer months as this will be a prime opportunity to gain industry-specific skills and experiences.
Research careers of interest to you.
Build your professional network. Continue to job shadow professionals and conduct informational interviews and track these connections.
Meet with your academic advisor to ensure you’re on track for graduation.
Prepare for Graduate School (if applicable). If you are considering graduate school, begin to prepare for and take the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT or any other admissions tests in addition to application materials.
Visit our office (in person or zoom) for help on any of these items!
Update and polish your resume. Remember to focus on the skills and experiences you have acquired and why that makes you a qualified candidate for a position.
Attend all career fairs that apply to your area of study. View career fair dates and participating employers on the Career and Center website under the “Upcoming Events” heading.
Develop your job search plan and be diligent about following through with it. You should start applying for jobs at least 4-6 months before graduation.
References – Contact professors, former and current employers, and advisors and ask them to serve as references for you.
Apply for graduate or professional school if that is part of your academic/career plan.
Review your offers of employment or graduate school admission, and make informed decisions.
Handshake – add your personal email to create your alumni account to access Handshake post graduation.
Share your plans post graduation. Complete your Career Outcome Survey.
Contact your advisor/degree analyst to make sure you are on track to graduate.
Apply for graduation (final check!)
Visit our office (in person or zoom) for help on any of these items!
Update and polish your resume or CV. Remember to focus on the skills and experiences you have acquired and why that makes you a qualified candidate for a position.
Practice your Interviewing skills.
Attend all career fairs that apply to your area of study. View career fair dates and participating employers on the Career and Center website under the “Upcoming Events” heading.
Develop your job search plan and be diligent about following through with it. You should start applying for jobs at least 4-6 months before graduation.
References – Contact professors, former and current employers, and advisors and ask them to serve as references for you.
Update your LinkedIn profile. Use LinkedIn to discover and connections.
Handshake – utilize Handshake for your job search add your personal email to create your alumni account to access Handshake post graduation.
Review your offers of employment or graduate school admission, and make informed decisions.
Share your plans post graduation. Complete your Career Outcome Survey.
Discover
Students will explore and develop their sense of purpose, leading to a better understanding of themselves and others.
Connect
Students will clearly and effectively exchange information while building and maintaining collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals.
Grow
Students will gain knowledge and skills to identify and respond to needs in the interest of the larger community to achieve organizational and personal goals.
Thrive
Students will become well-rounded individuals who positively impact their communities by engaging in intentional personal and career development while caring for themselves and others.
