The Four-Year Plan
At Ripon College, the Career Development Office embraces what is called a Four-Year Plan. This plan is based on the premise that career planning is a development process which involves learning and decision-making over an extended period of time.
- Meet the Career Development Staff
- Determine your interests, values and skills by taking appropriate interest inventories
- Review various career publication
- Talk with faculty, friends, administrators and career staff to develop focus and direction
FIRST YEAR
Write answers to the following key questions:
- What do I want to do?
- What can I do?
- What do I need to do to develop myself further?
- What is stopping me from pursuing my career goals?
Summer
- Get a summer job -- gain work experience/develop a strong work ethic
- Begin to build a network of people to assist you
SECOND YEAR: Career Exploration
Write answers to the following key questions:
- What do I have to offer an employer?
- Who needs what I have to offer?
- How can I market my skills to make employers want me?
Things to do:
- Develop a file of information about specific career alternatives; narrow down potential career options
- Talk to alumni and others about different careers
- Select courses which will enhance your skills related to your career goals
- Choose a major area of study
- Get involved in organizations, especially those related to your career goals
Summer
- Get a summer job and build a good work reputation and work references
- Develop job-related and computer skills
- Develop job maturity and knowledge of the workplace
THIRD YEAR: Gaining Career Experience
- Explore further career options associated with your education
- Information interviews
- Begin work on resume writing
- Participate in a mock interview
- Attend appropriate Career Fairs
- Begin to research possible internship/summer job opportunities
- If appropriate, research potential graduate school programs and consider taking the appropriate entrance exam
- Assume leadership positions in organizations
Summer
- Obtain an internship/summer job in your chosen field
- Continue to develop job-related and computer skills
- Compile a list of qualifications as they relate to your career objectives
- Continue to build a solid network and work references
FOURTH YEAR: Job Search/Graduate School Transition
- Put your search into high gear
- Attend appropriate Career Fairs
- Attend the Wisconsin Foundation of Independent Colleges Job Fair in February
- Finalize your resume and prepare cover letter
- Perfect your interviewing skills
- Identify and target employment opportunities through job bulletins, contacts and other various listings
- Interview with on-campus recruiters
- Consistently mail out resumes and letters and keep track of progress in an organized manner
- Continue to information interview and expand on your existing network of contacts
- Open a credential file in the Career Development Office
- Narrow down your list of Graduate Schools and get all necessary forms (applications, financial aid, ...)
- Take or retake appropriate graduate school entrance exam if necessary
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