Four-Year Plan

Don't wait until your senior year!

From choosing a major to exploring different career options and finding internships to looking for part-time and full-time employment, we have the resources to help chart your course! The key is not waiting until it’s time to graduate.

A year-by-year student checklist

First-year students: EXPLORE

• Familiarize yourself with the resources and offices available to you on campus
• Utilize your Panther Job Board account for on- and off-campus employment and information on upcoming career events and workshops
• Meet with a career professional to discuss major and career exploration strategies
• Research majors available at LaGrange College (See “Choosing a major” below.)
• Take courses that interest you while fulfilling your academic goals
• Join a student organization and see summer job or volunteer opportunity to gain valuable experience

Sophomores: RESEARCH

• Research careers of interest using O*Net Online and The Occupational Outlook Handbook to narrow down major options
• Visit the Center for Leadership and Career Development to meet with a career professional and discuss career goals
• Draft your resume and have it reviewed by a career professional during drop-ins or scheduled appointment
• Conduct information interviews with professionals in your field of interest and set up job shadowing opportunities
• Take the Strong Interest Inventory and/or MBTI to learn more about yourself
• Become a leader in student organizations and continue to test your interest through volunteering
• Gather information about internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities

Juniors: EXPERIENCE

• Meet with a career professional to plan relevant experiential learning opportunities
• Update your resume and have the Center for Leadership and Career Development critique it during drop-ins or scheduled appointments
• Consider using your study abroad voucher to participate in global engagement opportunities
• Establish relationships with professors and supervisors from whom you want recommendations
• Build experience through related internships and part-time jobs

Seniors: NETWORK

• Meet with a career professional to plan your job search and transition from college
• Update your professional profile on Panther Job Board and LinkedIn
• Send tailored resumes and cover letters out to employers in whom you are interested
• Prepare for interview using Big Interview, or schedule mock interviews with career professionals
• Attend career events, research and network with employers and alumni, and sign up for available on-campus interviews
• Evaluate job offers and make decisions
• Apply for graduate school before Christmas Break if you plan to further your education

Choosing a Major
Think of choosing a major as a journey. Talk to one of the Career Development Center staff members; we are here to assist you on your journey!

Take advantage of:

• Your college's course catalog: You will be amazed at the wealth of information you can find here!
• Your professors: Our caring professors, including your academic advisors, are here to talk with you about the majors in which they teach. All have worked in their field, and all are experts about careers and career opportunities.
• Your classmates, especially upperclassmen: These are the people who are deep into their major, perhaps already having had an internship or gone through job interviews.
• Your family and friends: There's a wealth of information right at your fingertips. Next time you go home or call home, ask your family and friends of the family about majors and careers.
• The Center for Leadership and Career Development: It is never too early or too late to visit the CLCD! There are plenty of resources for choosing a major and a career as well as internship and job information.