Career & Internships Career Planning Timeline

Career development is an ongoing process that actually starts from the time you come onto campus throughout the rest of your life. Exploring aspects about yourself, your values, and your preferences will guide you to select the appropriate major. After that, exploring the details of a variety of occupations and participating in “hands-on” activities such as internships or volunteer work can clarify your choices. Your senior year should be focused on preparing for and executing the actual job search.

Detailed below are appropriate tasks for your time at High Point University. Your pursuit of these activities will assist you in successfully transitioning from classroom to a work environment in the most efficient and timely manner.

FRESHMAN YEAR

  • Learn about yourself, your interests, and your skills through online /printed resources
  • Take the FOCUS, MBTI, and CISS career self-assessments, available through Career & Internship Services
  • Participate in extracurricular activities, campus leadership, and community activities to enhance your skills /values
  • Explore a variety of academic majors/minors and related career options
  • Focus on making good grades
  • Identify summer work that correlates to your academic major
  • Create and update your resume

SOPHOMORE YEAR

  • Use Career & Internship Services and online resources to research occupations and careers
  • Join an on-campus pre –professional organization or club
  • Take career self-assessments at Career & Internship Services
  • Explore Study Abroad/Study America options
  • Identify a professional in your field to conduct an informational interview/career conversation
  • Research any shadowing, externship, volunteer opportunities in your major
  • Plan early for summer work opportunities or internships

JUNIOR YEAR

  • Seek out leadership opportunities in student organizations
  • Update your resume and create a LinkedIn profile
  • Do a mock interview with a Career &
  • Internship Services staff member
  • Explore Study Abroad/Study America options
  • Attend career fairs to research internship and future career possibilities
  • Research graduate and professional schools
  • Attend a graduate school fair or information session
  • Finalize summer experiences

SENIOR YEAR

  • Polish your resume and cover letter; update your LinkedIn profile and expand your network
  • Join the HPU Alumni Group on LinkedIn
  • Sign up for mock interviews
  • Attend career fairs offered by HPU
  • Apply to graduate/professional school– meet all deadlines
  • Research potential employers and career possibilities online
  • Pursue networking contacts-alumni, friends, family, professors, work supervisors, etc.
  • Follow through on all opportunities
  • Consider post-graduation internships