Career Action Plan

Helping You Chart Your Career Course
Career development is a lifelong process. Employment opportunities may vary throughout a person's work life. There are three fundamental questions that everyone who works both experiences and seeks to answer. Each of these questions may reappear as we "work" at our careers.

What kind of work do I want to do?
Am I job ready?
Where are the job/work opportunities?

You must know yourself and the market demands before identifying and evaluating your options. Our mission is to provide the programs and services that empower students and alumni to identify, refine, and pursue their career aspirations.

Following is a Career Action Plan that will assist you with reaching your goals.

Freshman: Assess & Explore

	Register with Career Services on DragonTrail
	Meet with your academic advisor to plan courses to take
	Get a Discover user ID through UAB Career Services (self-assessment with information on majors and occupations, helping identify those that "fit" you)
		Explore majors (includes all UAB majors)
		Take inventories
		Explore suggested career areas that match your Inventory results
		Meet with a career counselor to go over Discover results
	Learn UAB academic requirements behind each major you've chosen
	Schedule a follow up meeting with your academic advisor to discuss findings on majors and related occupations
	Begin exploring various occupations aligned with your interests, skills, and values Other resources for exploration include the following:
		Occupational Outlook Handbook
		What Can I Do With A Major In...
		Sterne Library online resources
		Printed materials in Career Services Library (HUC 532)
	Talk with faculty, alumni, advisors and professionals in the field for further occupational information
	Explore and join student and professional organizations
	Start a journal or portfolio (clubs, activities, events, etc.) reflecting on experiences
	Attend UAB career fairs, seminars, and events
	Attend Career Services' part-time job fair in August (if desired)
	Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss next steps

Sophomore: Research & Prepare

	Revisit all steps for freshmen as they apply to sophomores
	Reflect on and adjust previous career/academic plan based on experiences & knowledge
	Discuss with your academic advisor how your academic plan integrates with your career goal
	Register for ECG 300, "Strategies for Effective Career Development"
	Mane an appointment with your career counselor to discuss career goals and appropriate experiential learning opportunities
	Continue involvement in student organizations, community, civic and/or service leqarning opportunities
	Attend a resume writing seminar or view online at Career Services website
	Develop your resume and upload it into DragonTrail
	Begin a search for summer jobs/internships/co-ops (experiential learning opportunities)
	Attend an interview preparation seminar or view online at website
	Develop your "30 second elevator pitch" or positioning statement
	Schedule a mock interview with Career Services
	Research requirements for graduate/professional school and begin studying for admission
	Attend UAB's Fall and/or Spring Career Fairs

Junior: Validate & Experience

	Revisit all steps above as they apply to juniors
	Update your resume in DragonTrail
	Reflect on and adjust previous career/academic plan
	Consult with your academic advisor to confirm degree requirements
	Assume leadership roles in student organizations
	Apply for UAB Mentor Program sponsored by UAB Career Services & UAB National Alumni Society
	Continue developing skills and relationships to increase your employability
	Research careers thoroughly to target job options and career areas within the major that fit your career goals
	Use community business forums and professional organizations for networking and information gathering
	Attend all career seminars and events, some of which include the following:
		Resume Writing
		Interview Skills/Preparation
		Job Search Strategies
		Skills Employers Value
		Business Major Options
		Special programs-panels, etc.
	Attend the annual Graduate School Fair
	Attend UAB's Fall and Spring Career Fair
	Begin application process fro graduate/professional school and take exams
	Develop your target list of employers and begin outreach
	Talk with supervisors, faculty, and key leaders about serving as references, providing them with a copy of your resume

Senior: Implement & Succeed

	Revisit all steps above as they apply to seniors
	Update your resume in DragonTrail
	Reflect on career/academic plan
	Meet with a career counselor to have all job search materials reviewed: positioning statement, cover letters, resumes, target lists, job search plan
	Identify on- and off-campus interview opportunities
	Schedule mock interview(s) to improve interview skills
	Sign up for on-campus interviews through DragonTrail
	Apply for jobs or entrance into graduate/professional schools
	Gather information on salaries and relocating
	Attend Career Fairs if needed
	Cultivate job and graduate school offers and negotiate for the optimal fit
	Continue to build and keep in touch with your network & references
	Update or complete journal/portfolio entries
	Contact UAB Career Services to advise of employment