UMUC

Career Services

Career Planning Timeline

No matter where you are in your educational journey, UMUC Career Services has a timeline and tips that will help you stay on track.

Freshman Year

  • Assess your interests, skills, values, and personality by scheduling an appointment with a career counselor in Career Services.
  • Begin self-directed exploration of specific occupations via the career services Web site.
  • Explore part-time employment through CareerQuest (online jobs and internship database).

Sophomore Year

  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals in the career fields you are considering. Expand your information network.
  • Get to know faculty in the major that interests you. They can talk about career options and provide a letter of reference when you apply for a job or graduate school.
  • Start identifying part-time and summer employment, volunteer work or internships in your areas of interest.
  • Attend workshops on “Resume Writing,” “Job Search Strategies,” and “Interviewing Skills.”
  • Choose a college major, if you have not already done so.
  • Develop a professional quality resume and explore internship opportunities.

Junior Year

  • Obtain work experience related to your career field through part-time employment, internship, practicum, or volunteer experiences.
  • Choose electives to enhance your qualifications, especially your oral and written communication skills.
  • Get involved in a professional organization related to your career field. Inexpensive student memberships are often available.
  • Seek leadership positions in career-related student organizations.
  • Attend job, career, and internship fairs sponsored by Career Services; or better yet, volunteer to help!
  • Begin to plan for job search or graduate school. Set deadlines for required steps.
  • Update resume in CareerQuest.

Senior Year

  • Revise your resume. Have it critiqued by Career Services.
  • Apply to graduate or professional school. Have Career Services critique your Personal Statement.
  • Participate in Career Services sponsored job fairs.
  • Research companies, employers, and graduate schools using the career services resource library.
  • Meet required deadlines for graduate school or job search.
  • Conduct a job search campaign in addition to on-campus interviews.