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Career Services Center | First-Year Career Action Plan | Building a Resume


Career Services Center

www.clarion.edu/career
814-393-2323
114 Egbert Hall

 

Our goal is to help you: We provide support with:
Become a better career decision-maker and planner
Explore careers, gain practical experience, and develop skills that employers require
Develop job search competencies, learn about employment opportunities, and connect with employers
Develop skills for transitioning to a professional environment and being successful on the job

 

Career Action Plan for First-Year Students

As a first-year student, your focus is on adjusting to university life and discovering the opportunities that your new environment offers. Your transition can be enhanced by:

  • Becoming familiar with campus resources

  • Utilizing services that can help you achieve academic success and develop career plans

  • Building relationships with other students, faculty, and staff

  • Getting involved in campus life

 

Specifically, you should:

  • Meet your academic advisor.
    Visit your academic advisor during office hours and introduce yourself. He/she can keep you informed about what's happening in your department and on campus, provide guidance through the course selection process, help you plan future semesters, and refer you to additional campus resources.

  • Review online information about the skills necessary for academic success.
    Tips for developing study, note-taking, time management, and test-taking skills are available here.

  • Visit campus Web sites.
    Campus offices that provide academic and career-related services include: Academic Enrichment Center, Career Services Center, Counseling Services, University Advising Services Center (UASC), and the The Writing Center.

  • Stay current with campus information and events.
    The Clarion Call, WCUB-TV (Channell 15 on local cable), WCUC-FM 91.7, Newswire, iClarion, and campus e-mail keep you apprised of what's happening on campus, including educational, career, social, athletic, and cultural programs.

  • Participate in residence hall and community living activities.
    You'll meet new people, have fun, and develop interpersonal and social skills...two skills which are valued by employers!

  • Attend Activities Day.
    On the first day of the Fall Semester, Clarion hosts a fun and informative event near Gemmell Student Complex where you can learn about recognized student organizations that mesh with your interests.

  • Register on MyActivities.
    Set up an account on MyActivities so you can access an online database of campus and community activities and search for ones matching your interests and talents.

  • Expand your experiences.
    Employers consistently rank "on-the-job experience" as a top qualification that new college graduates should possess. Gain practical experience through part-time work, volunteerism, service learning, and work-study programs.

  • Keep a record of your first year.
    Use your MyActivities account to document details about your first-year honors, activities, experiences, and achievements. Print an unofficial report and make an appointment to review it with your advisor. He/she can assess your progress and provide suggestions to move your academic and career plans forward during your sophomore year.

  • Save evidence.
    Develop a system for saving documents and other materials (such as papers, projects, etc.) that can be used to build a portfolio and provide evidence of your capabilities to employers.

  • Begin building a resume.
    Visit the Career Services Center resume writing site and learn how to prepare a resume. Start creating a rough draft in your first year. You'll have a head start when applying for scholarships, summer work, part-time jobs, or internships.

  • Become a career investigator.
    Conduct research through on-line, print, and people resources to obtain information about occupations that interest you. Talk to anyone you can think of (such as family, friends, employers, alumni, and acquaintances) about the nature of their current and past jobs.

  • Read about the career success of some Clarion alumni.
    If you're developing academic or career plans, you can benefit greatly from the insights and advice provided by Clarion University alumni.

  • Plan for a summer or part-time job.
    It will give you an opportunity to gain work experience and develop good work habits.

  • Attend the Experience Expo.
    The Career Services Center hosts a Spring Semester campus event where you can connect with employers/agencies that offer internships, summer jobs, and volunteer opportunities.

  • If you have not declared a major:

    • Visit the Career Services Center's on-line Decision-Making Information Center.

    • Visit the University Advising Services Center for suggestions on first steps to take and a password to use e-Discover, an on-line career assessment program, which will help you to determine some majors matching your skills, interests, and values.

    • Register for AE 260: Career Exploration and Planning.

 

More information on careers, majors, and job preparation is available here.

 

Career Planning Guide

Do you know what your skills, interests, and values are?

Have you chosen a major?

Do you know the qualifications valued by employers?

Have you determined what you would like to be doing a few years from now?

Do you know how to get there?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, this guide is for you. The Career Planning Guide is a valuable tool for helping you proceed through, and get the most from, your college years.

Career counselors recommend that you start thinking about your career as early as possible. That doesn't mean you have to know exactly what you want to be after college - or that you can't change your mind along the way. However, your first year isn't too early to begin some advance planning - even if you haven't chosen a major yet.

The guide includes a comprehensive list of activities to help you get started with your career plans. Depending on your career needs, it's likely that you may engage in some of the activities more than others or that you may follow them in a different order. That's okay. The important thing is that you review the entire guide, pick the most useful activities for the career development stage that you're in, and utilize the available resources.

We encourage you to read the many online publications cited in the guide. All of these resources will help you tackle some of the challenging decisions you face at Clarion, such as choosing a major. In addition, make use of the services offered. The staff of each office is more than willing to help you along the way.  

This guide and advance planning will help you discover your interests and talents, explore educational and career options, and stay on track during your college career. By taking advantage of Clarion's many resources and opportunities, you will enhance your personal and professional development and build a strong base for the future.

 

 
Check Action Steps/Resources
 
1. Take responsibility
The first step begins with Y-O-U!
 
___ Action Step:
Recognize that the responsibility for developing a career plan rests with Y-O-U. After all, it's your future...not your parent's, sibling's, or friend's. Be independent in your thinking; don't be easily swayed by others. Encourage your friends as they develop their plans, but remember their decisions don't have anything to do with you.
  Resource:
Take the initiative and review the steps in this publication. It lists many resources that are available throughout the career planning process.
 
2. Get an overview of the process
Get acquainted with the career decision-making process.
 
___ Action Step:
Read some Career Services publications to get acquainted with the career decision-making process and to prepare you for the steps necessary to make informed decisions.
 

Resource:
Career Decision-Making
Before Choosing Your Direction
___ Action Step:
Register for AE 260, Career Exploration and Planning (3 credits).
 

Resource:
Department of Academic Enrichment, 118 Ralston, 814-393-2249
 
3. Enhance your self-awareness
This step involves conducting an analysis of your interests, abilities or skills, work-related values, personality traits, and life goals. It may be accomplished through appointments with a career counselor, online assessments, or paper-and-pencil inventories. The following options are available on campus:
 
___

Action Step:
Complete the Strong Interest Inventory.
  Resource:
Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
___ Action Step:
Complete the Self Directed Search.
  Resource:
Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
___

Action Step:
Complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
  Resource:
Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
___

Action Step:
Use e-Discover, an online program that can help you identify interests, values, and abilities; explore careers; and research occupations and majors.
 

Resource:
Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
___ Action Step:
Make an appointment with a counselor to discuss the findings of your self-assessments. He/she can help you relate the results to potential majors and careers.
  Resource:
Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
 

4. Gather information about potential occupations
From your self-assessment, you should have identified a few occupations in which you have an interest. Rather than considering hundreds of occupations, we suggest that you select a few on which to focus your research. Use the following steps to learn more about each occupation that you are considering.
___

Action Step:
Use the Worksheet for Researching Occupations to guide your occupation research.
  Resource:
 www.clarion.edu/57320.pdf
___

Action Step:
Learn about potential careers by observing a professional at work. Print and review the Job Shadowing publication.
  Resource:
 www.clarion.edu/57319.pdf
___

Action Step:
Learn about the employment and educational pursuits of Clarion University graduates. Review the information from Career Services' annual survey of graduates.
  Resource:
 www.clarion.edu/65014
___ Action Step:
Research potential careers online through e-Discover. Contact Counseling Services for a user I.D.
  Resource:
 Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
___

Action Step:
Research potential careers using Internet resources. Visit the Career Services Website for links to career information, or conduct a Google search for a specific career.
  Resource:
 www.clarion.edu/career
___

Action Step:
Visit Career Services' Career Library for print resources on careers.
  Resource:
 www.clarion.edu/career
 

5. Gather information about potential majors
This research will help you to determine the major(s) that will allow you to be as prepared as possible for the occupations you have in mind. The following steps can be done at the same time you are gathering information about potential careers.
___

Action Step:
Use the Worksheet for Researching Majors to guide your exploration of academic programs.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/57313.pdf
___ Action Step:
Review Questions to Ask about a Major to guide your exploration of academic programs.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/57317.pdf
___

Action Step:
Review frequently asked questions about choosing a major.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/64118/
___

Action Step:
Review the list of Clarion's majors and minors.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/18751/
___ Action Step:
Attend the Majors Fair on campus. Usually held during the Spring Semester.
 

Resource:
Transitions Services, 249 Gemmell, 814-393-1767
___ Action Step:
Review the course descriptions in the Clarion University Undergraduate Catalog for your potential majors.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/1174/
___

Action Step:
Pick up departmental brochures, check sheets, and/or handbooks for your potential majors.
  Resource:
Visit each department chair's office for information.
___

Action Step:
Research potential majors online through e-Discover. Contact Counseling Services for a password.
 

Resource:
Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
 

6. Evaluate the alternatives and make a decision
 Decision-making skills are important, both personally and professionally. For the present, they will be valuable as you weigh the pros and cons of each potential major and occupation. For the future, decision-making skills will enable you to manage your own career and to cope with the career changes that may occur throughout your life. This step moves you from self-assessment and research to making a commitment to a major.
___

Action Step:
Learn the basic steps in making any decision in How to Make a Decision.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/55919/
___

Action Step:
Print and complete a copy of Weighing Pros and Cons of Potential Majors.
 

Resource:
www.clarion.edu/57324.pdf
___

Action Step:
Make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss your research and your pros and cons.
 

Resource:
Your academic advisor
___

Action Step:
Seek the assistance of the University Advising Services Center with your decision.
 

Resource:
University Advising Services Center, Becht Hall, 814-393-1879
___

Action Step:
Make an appointment with a counselor to discuss the pros and cons related to each option.
 

Resource:
Counseling Services, 148 Egbert, 814-393-2255
 

7. Process the appropriate forms
Take the appropriate steps to declare or change a major.
___ Action Step:
Complete a Change of Status form.
 

Resource:
Registrar's Office, 814-393-2229, 122 Carrier
 

8. Develop a plan for success
Learn about the activities that can enhance your college years and help you to develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences valued by employers and/or graduate schools.
___

Action Step:
Print and review the Career Action Plan publication.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/10307
___

Action Step:
Print and review Career Planning Advice which contains suggestions from Clarion alumni and employers who hire Clarion graduates.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/27998.pdf
___

Action Step:
Print and review the Gaining Experience publication to learn about the many ways you can gain experience and the value of each.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/10307
___ Action Step:
Become a member of at least one campus academic/professional organization related to your major or career interests.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/79842/
___ Action Step:
Review the list of volunteer and community service opportunities to determine your personal and professional interests.
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/29063
___ Action Step:
Test drive a career through field experiences or internships.
 

Resource:
Visit your department chair's office for information on internship opportunities, policies, procedures, and requirements.
___ Action Step:
Use the Worksheet for Building a Resume to keep a record of your classes, campus and community activities, leadership positions, work experiences, skills, and achievements.  
  Resource:
www.clarion.edu/15068.pdf
 

9. Continually review career decisions and goals
Take an inventory of your needs, interests, and values from time to time and determine if your current path is meeting them.
___ Action Step:
 For your college years: Your university experience will provide you with many opportunities to determine if the decisions made were positive ones.
  Resource:
 In spite of the best planning, some of life's best choices occur because we are presented with unexpected opportunities and events that could not have been anticipated. By getting involved in university life and taking advantage of all that is offered, you will be able to determine if the decisions made are meeting your needs. If not, you may want to explore what has changed and consider going back to the beginning of this checklist.
___ Action Step:
 Beyond graduation: There is a good chance that you will be faced with making a series of career choices throughout your life. As you discover new things about yourself, and encounter new opportunities, new experiences, and/or changing situations, you may need to make additional career decisions.
  Resource:
 As a result of following the steps mentioned in this publication, you have developed career planning skills that can help you throughout your life. As you face each decision, knowing how will help you make it more effectively and will increase your career satisfaction and success.
 

 

Worksheet for Building a Resume

  •  A resume is a document that summarizes your qualifications. It typically includes:

  • Areas of specialized knowledge and expertise

  • Skills, competencies, and professional interests

  • Career-related experiences and responsibilities

  • Achievements

There may be several occasions where a resume is required, such as applying for scholarships, part-time jobs, internships, or full-time employment. For any of these situations, your goal is to show that you have the required qualifications.  

This worksheet is provided as an aid for recording and organizing information for your resume. Beginning in your freshman year, you should document your classes, campus and community activities, leadership positions, work experiences, skills, and achievements.

When you encounter any situations that require a resume, you can critically examine the information in this work-sheet, select your qualifications that match the requirements, and highlight them on your resume.

 

EDUCATION

An important part of your qualifications is your academic preparation. Please complete the following information.

 

University __________________   Location (city, state) ______

Degree ________    Date of Graduation (mo/yr) ___________

Major/s _____________________________________________

Minor/s _____________________________________________

Concentration/s ______________________________________

Overall QPA (if over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) ______

Major QPA (if over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) ______

Excluding loans, what percentage of your education was financed through scholarships or work?   

 

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

List the highlights of your academic program (courses, special class projects, publications, an area of concentration, or special capabilities).

Examples:                             
Minor in International Business
Concentration in Spanish
Special emphasis (12 credits) in writing
Marketing research project

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

List educational opportunities that are in addition to the courses required for your degrees. Examples include:

  • Seminars, workshops, or conferences you attended (on campus or off campus)

  • Programs or workshops you presented

  • International travel

Examples: 
Attended American Psychological Association annual conference
St. Louis, MO, April 2006

International Business Seminar, Summer 2005

Completed the Professional Development Seminar for Business Students, October 2005

Presented "Team Building" workshop at the Clarion University Leadership Development Series, October 2005

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

List your experience using today's technology (hardware, software, platforms, programming languages, equipment, etc.).

Examples:                             

Computer science major:
Operating Systems/Environments: Windows NT/98/2000/XP
Programming Languages: C++, PASCAL, COBOL, JAVA, HTML
Software: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)

Communication major:
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
Dreamweaver
Microsoft Front Page

 

HONORS

List any academic distinctions, honors, or awards.

Examples:
James Gemmell Leadership Award, Spring 2006
Kappa Delta Pi (education honor society), Spring 2005
Clarion University Honors Program, 2002-2006
Dean's List, six semesters

 

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

This section should include information about your activities on campus, in the Clarion community, or in your home community. For each activity, list the following information: name of organization, leadership or volunteer positions held, and dates of membership or volunteerism.

Examples: 

  • Psychology Club

President, 2005-2006
Treasurer, 2004-2005
Program Committee Chair, 2003-2004

  • Volunteer, Choice Enterprise, Clarion, PA.
    Spring 2006

Worked with mentally challenged adults in everyday activities

 

FIELD OR CAREER EXPERIENCES

List experiences, such as internships, externships, and student teaching. For each position, include the following information: your title, department or grade level, organization, location (city, state), and dates. Briefly describe your major responsibilities, beginning each phrase with an action verb.

Examples:                             

Marketing Assistant/Intern
Millcreek Mall Merchants Association, Erie, PA
Summer 2005

  • Promoted special mall events

  • Wrote and edited copy

  • Designed and bought advertisements

  • Developed letters and other correspondence used with mall merchants and various media people

  • Attended mall and community meetings

 

ADDITIONAL FIELD EXPERIENCES

Some of your campus activities, community service, and part-time jobs may provide you with skills and experiences related to your field of interest? For each experience, list your title, the organization, location (city, state), and dates. Briefly describe your responsibilities, beginning each phrase with an action verb.

Examples:                             

News Editor
Clarion Call (Clarion University weekly newspaper) Spring Semester 2009

  • Managed 10 staff writers and five support staff members

  • Edited copy

  • Assigned articles to staff writers

  • Conducted interviews and wrote articles

  • Used Quark Xpress desktop publishing system

Resident Assistant, Becht Hall, Clarion
University, Clarion, PA
Academic years 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006
Provided a safe and cohesive living environment for 30 female students

  • Planned and coordinated social and educational programs

  • Served as a peer counselor for students

  • Enforced university policies

  • Assisted students in adjusting to college life

 

WORK EXPERIENCES

This section may include paid full-time, part-time, or summer jobs. For each position, list your title, department (if appropriate), employer name, location (city, state), and dates of employment. Include your average number of hours per week. If your work responsibilities are not obvious, highlight two or three of them.  

Examples:                             

Waiter, T.G.I. Friday's, Monroeville, PA
Summers 2004, 2005 (40 hours per week)
January to May 2005 (10 hours per weekend)

 Student Assistant, Career Services, Clarion University, Clarion, PA
Academic Years 2004-2005, 2005-2006

  • Coordinated the Resume Clinic, including one-on-one reviews of student resumes

  • Provided assistance to students with general career concerns

  • Helped with special events, such as the Teacher Recruiting Fair

  • Answer phones, filed, and typed

 

REFERENCES

Who can attest to your...

  • Skills, competencies, and professional interests?

  • Involvement in campus, community, and professional activities?                             

  • Career-related experiences and responsibilities?

  • Value to an employer and your ability to handle specific job responsibilities?

List three to five individuals, including: name, title, work address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address.

 Samples are available here.

 

 

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