NAVIGATING YOUR FUTURE
AS A TRANSFER STUDENT
at Pacific Lutheran University
FIRST YEAR AT PLU: EXPLORE & EXPERIENCE
 Bookmark www.plu.edu/career. Explore the website and online resources.
 “Like” PLU Career Development on Facebook. Stay updated about the newest events and resources on campus.
 Build connections. Get to know your faculty members, academic advisors, and career counselors. These people will be
some of your best resources during your time at PLU.
 Study Away. This can broaden your cultural perspective. Visit the Wang Center to explore opportunities for both J-term
and Full Semester Abroad programs.
 Get involved on campus and build leadership skills. Join a club, attend events, participate in residence hall activities or
visit the Commuter Student Lounge in Hinderlie Hall. Consider taking on leadership roles in on/off campus activities.
 Join a professional organization. Find an association related to your major or career field. Student memberships are
often free.
 Gain experience. Obtain a part-time job on or off campus, or volunteer somewhere over the summer. Search Career
Connections Opportunities Board to explore options.
 Think about internships. Research organizations and companies that offer internships. Visit Career Connections
Opportunities Board for internship postings. Learn more about internships at www.plu.edu/intern.
 Start a portfolio. Create a system for saving samples of your work that would be appropriate for a professional portfolio
(writing samples, class projects, posters you created for a club, awards, etc.). These items could be anything that
highlights your skills, achievements, and experiences.
 Explore options. Research two or three promising career alternatives in depth through various resources, including
websites and job profiles, and by attending the Career and Internship Expo and other recruiting events. Narrow career
choices and make tentative career decisions.
 Meet with a PLU Career Counselor. Develop/discuss a specific plan of action outlining post-graduation plans.
 Create/Polish your resume and cover letter. If you don’t have a resume and cover letter started, begin developing one.
Check out our resume resources online. Keeping your resume up to date ensures that you are always ready to apply for
internships and summer jobs.
 Thinking about graduate school? Talk to faculty members and career counselors to get their ideas. Check out
www.plu.edu/career for resources.
 Over the summer: Research schools for graduate programs using various online resources. Also, research funding options
for graduate school. Find out about deadlines for applications. Find out which standardized tests are required for
admission. Approach your professors for letters of recommendation.
Academic Planning
 Review and adjust academic plan. Meet with your academic advisor to formulate a plan that helps achieve future career
goals.
 Complete your Junior Review. This includes a review of your CAPP report.
 Explore the What If? Analyses. This feature of your CAPP report will help you see what requirements you’ve already met
for potential majors.
 Gain Experience within your major. Check with your Department Chair about faculty research opportunities.
 Schedule an Informational interview. Faculty members are great resources to find out more about potential career
paths.
 Create a network system at PLU. This should include both faculty, staff and friends that help support you.
PLU Career Connections in Ramstad 112 ● www.plu.edu/career ● career@plu.edu
Call 253.535.7459 to make an appointment with a Career Counselor for career exploration, resume/cover letter review and more!
SECOND YEAR AT PLU: EMBARK
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Take Psyc 213 course: Transitions: Life After College.
Dress for success. Begin assembling a professional wardrobe—start by putting together an interview outfit.
Get LinkedIn! Create a professional profile and join groups like the PLU Career Connections group.
Graduate School bound? Make sure you know each deadline and submit all application materials ahead of time.
Plan ahead. Meet with a career counselor to create a job search strategy.
Gain more experience. Consider another internship, job, or volunteer experience. Take on a leadership role in student
government, a campus club, your church, your current job, your child’s school, or even in a group for a class project.
Check out the Career Connections Opportunities Board. Job, internship, and volunteer opportunities are posted
regularly.
Network! Connect with employers through the Job and Internship Expo, information sessions, and other on and off
campus recruiting events. Update your LinkedIn profile and consider creating a business card.
“Finalize” your resume and cover letter. Remember, you will want to customize your resume and cover letter for every
position for which you apply!
Prepare for interviews. Utilize Interview Stream, a great tool to practice your interviewing skills, on Career Connections
Opportunities Board. Schedule a mock interview with a Career Counselor. Research employers before interviews! Have
references ready to go.
Academic Planning
 Review your remaining course requirements. Make sure you review both General Education requirements as well as
requirements for your major.
 Verify your graduation status. Double check with the Registrar’s office that you are all set to graduate.
PLU Career Connections in Ramstad 112 ● www.plu.edu/career ● career@plu.edu
Call 253.535.7459 to make an appointment with a Career Counselor for career exploration, resume/cover letter review and more!