Year by Year

The Checklist

The Career Prep Checklist was designed to help students identify career preparation activities that should be considered and/or completed during their time in school to best prepare them for their next steps. It addresses items surrounding developing career interests, growing knowledge, developing skills, and making connections with those around them.

The Career Prep Checklist is a tool, but it should not be used without additional support from University resources.While the list is designed to be flexible to people’s individual needs, it is not all-encompassing, and some students may need more specific guidance for their career preparation. Career Service Advisors can help customize your personal checklist to best fit your path and meet your specific needs. If you have any questions or need additional support in your career journey, reach out!

To Do List

First Year / Freshman

Interest	Knowledge	Skills	Relate
Explore	Meet YOUR Team	Get a Job	Connect with Faculty
Explore your major/minor or available majors/ minors/ certificates. Learn about clubs, programs, opportunities within your department. Assess what majors & minors best align with your career aspirations. Evaluate what employment looks like for those graduating from your institution.Understand the education requirements of your future career.	Set short and long term career goals. Select classes that allow you to explore your career aspirations. Find your Academic Advisor and Career Advisor	Gain work experience, preferably related to your major or desired industry.	Meet the faculty advisor for clubs & programs you’re interested in.
Explore \| Resources \| Engage	or, select classes that fulfill prerequisites for graduate programs	Preview campus jobs

Second Year / Sophomore

Interest	Knowledge	Skills	Relate
Engage	Be Interesting	Future Minded	Meet People
Look into career experiences like job shadows, volunteering, internships, or completing observation hours. If you plan to enter the workforce after graduation, start taking advantage of pre-professional work experience while still in college. If you plan on graduate school, begin to look into programs. Many student organizations invite grad schools to present on their programs.	Depending on your major or future career, study abroad may be key to building necessary skills needed for the workplace.	Update your resume, including: Employment, volunteering, or clubs you’ve participated in Visit Career Services for a resume critique. Build relationships with managers and supervisors for references.	Learn about employers and network for future employment.
Gain Experience	Study Abroad	Resume Template \| Volunteer	Career Fairs at UNI

Interest

Knowledge

Skills

Relate

Engage

Be Interesting

Future Minded

Meet People

Look into career experiences like job shadows, volunteering, internships, or completing observation hours.

If you plan to enter the workforce after graduation, start taking advantage of pre-professional work experience while still in college.

If you plan on graduate school, begin to look into programs. Many student organizations invite grad schools to present on their programs.

Depending on your major or future career, study abroad may be key to building necessary skills needed for the workplace.

Update your resume, including: Employment, volunteering, or clubs you’ve participated in

Visit Career Services for a resume critique.

Build relationships with managers and supervisors for references.

Learn about employers and network for future employment.

Gain Experience

Study Abroad

Resume Template | Volunteer

Career Fairs at UNI

Third Year / Junior

Interest	Knowledge	Skills	Relate
Gain Experience	Become an Insider	Become a Leader	Build a Network
Build relationships with managers for references. Seek to develop skills relevant to your future career.	Work Assess if you have been hitting your goals and are on track for graduation and employment. Ensure you have an updated resume. Attend job fairs and participate in career workshops.Revisit career options and review any additional requirements, training, or testing that you need to complete. Grad School Assess if you have been hitting your goals & are on track for graduation and grad school acceptance.Make a list of schools you may be interested in applying to. (Note deadlines, prerequisites, and acceptance rates). Connect with students and faculty in your field of study. Visit the school, if possible.	Apply for leadership positions with student organizations and committees. This will help you stand out on future applications and build real world experience.	Focus on networking. Start to build a list of references. Attend career related events that will help you build connections within your industry. Career Fairs, Graduate School Fairs, Alumni events References may include…Research Faculty, Professors, Advisors, Managers.
Schedule an Appointment

Interest

Knowledge

Skills

Relate

Gain Experience

Become an Insider

Become a Leader

Build a Network

Build relationships with managers for references.

Seek to develop skills relevant to your future career.

Work
Assess if you have been hitting your goals and are on track for graduation and employment. Ensure you have an updated resume. Attend job fairs and participate in career workshops.Revisit career options and review any additional requirements, training, or testing that you need to complete.

Grad School
Assess if you have been hitting your goals & are on track for graduation and grad school acceptance.Make a list of schools you may be interested in applying to.
(Note deadlines, prerequisites, and acceptance rates). Connect with students and faculty in your field of study. Visit the school, if possible.

Apply for leadership positions with student organizations and committees. This will help you stand out on future applications and build real world experience.

Focus on networking.
Start to build a list of references.
Attend career related events that will help you build connections within your industry.
Career Fairs, Graduate School Fairs, Alumni events
References may include…Research Faculty, Professors, Advisors, Managers.

Schedule an Appointment

Fourth Year / Senior

Interest	Knowledge	Skills	Relate
Gain More Experience	Start Applying	Research & Prepare	Network
Complete an internship, additional volunteering, research experience, or performance related to your future career.	Apply to both graduate school and jobs 2 semesters prior to graduation	Finalize your resume! Create and revise personal statements or cover letters. Practice interviewing.	Collect contact information (that is accessible after graduation) from references of close connections that will be used after graduation. Start making important connections with those who will be mentoring you in the next stage of your life. Prepare for the transition to your new job/school.