»4 Year Plan

Freshman Year

• Visit the Career Development Center in Argyros Forum Room 303 Student Life Center.
• Enroll in core courses with help of advisor; learn the academic system; do well in your classes.
• Talk with parents, your professors, and the CDC about careers.
• Take a computer class. Use a computer to do coursework, papers, etc.
• Gain experience in off-campus/on-campus jobs.
• Meet with a career counselor in the CDC. Do career testing.
• Begin to identify career interests, values, skills, talents, and personality style.
• Attend a resume workshop.
• Obtain your e-mail account at Chapman.
• Make a tentative selection of a major field.
• Attend an orientation workshop for the Internship Program in the CDC.
• Seek supportive services when necessary such as tutoring, advising, and study skills. Get help when needed.

Sophomore Year

• Read about careers in the career library.
• Consider studying abroad. Develop bilingual skills.
• Develop a resume and have it critiqued by a career counselor.
• Talk with professionals and alumni in careers of interest to you. This is called "information interviewing."
• Continue working with a career counselor. Complete career testing.
• Attend an interviewing and job search workshop or meet with a career counselor for assistance.
• Plan to do an internship. Meet with the internship coordinator.
• Get involved in student activities at Chapman.
• Decide on your major.
• Register in the CDC to receive job/internship information by email.

Junior Year

• Do at least one internship in your major or area of interest.
• Make a tentative decision about your career direction.
• Study abroad for a year, summer, or Interterm.
• Attend:
  • career workshops
  • the Graduate School Advising Day
  • On-campus recruitment orientation
• Talk with Alumni Mentors (get contact information in the CDC).
• Develop leadership skills through student activities at Chapman.
• Keep talking to professionals to research possible career options.
• Begin in early spring to find a summer job or internship in your chosen career field. Develop related work experience.
• Look into post-graduate fellowship opportunities in the CDC.
• Register in CDC to receive job/internship information by email.

Senior Year

• Complete a final internship in your field.
• Update your resume early in fall semester for job your search and recruiting.
• Plan your graduate school or job campaign. Meet again with the CDC staff to get help with this.
• Attend the Graduate School Advising Day.
• Work with the CDC staff to develop interview and job search skills. Sign up for a mock interview.
• Register in the CDC to participate in on-campus recruiting. Sign up is required for participation.
• Attend an on-campus recruitment orientation.
• Use all opportunities to meet employers: job fairs, alumni meetings, Alumni Mentor Program, networking, etc.
• In the fall, apply for fellowships and other post-graduate award opportunities.
• Get references for graduate school applications/job interviews.
• If you do not have a job by graduation, meet with CDC staff to plan your job search