4-Year Career Action Plan
Career development is a lifelong process. Planning for your career does not happen only during your senior year.
The USFSP Career Center Motto is Explore. Engage. Excel. This 4-Year Career Action Plan will help you complete
action items allowing you to explore, engage, and excel along the way to career success.
First Year & Prospective Students
Self-Inquiry and Awareness
Academic
Career & Life
 Read your USFSP catalog and explore the
major options that fit your career plans.
 Consult with an academic advisor to plan a
course of study and select classes.
 Focus on your studies and strive for a high
grade point average which employers’ value.
 Visit the Academic Success Center if you
need assistance academically or with your
study habits and/or test anxiety.
 Get to know upperclassmen, faculty members, and
administrators who can provide you with
information about major options.
 Meet with a Career Peer Advisor or Counselor to
identify skills, abilities, interest, and values as they
relate to college majors and career.
 Take the My Plan assessment
 Get involved with campus activities, join a student
organization, or get involved with student
government.
 Attend career classes, workshops, seminars, career
fairs and employer panels.
 Investigate volunteer opportunities.
 Create a résumé have it critiqued at the Career
Center.
 Log-in to your Recruit-A-Bull account update your
profile and upload a résumé.
 Obtain a part-time job to increase your transferable
skills and experience.
 Attend Part-Time Job Fairs and Employer
Spotlights
 Search for on-campus employment at
usfsp.edu/jobs
 Search for off-campus employment on RecruitA-Bull
Sophomores
Assessment and Exploration
Academic
 Continue to focus on maintaining good
academic progress.
 Contact the internship coordinator in your
college or major department to determine
internship requirements and begin the
internship search process.

Career & Life
 Clarify skills, abilities, interests, and values as they
relate to potential careers.
 Explore career options online via
http://onetonline.org and other online guides.
 Explore career options by attending employer
information sessions, and viewing job descriptions
available from employers recruiting on-campus.
 Research employers on Recruit-A-Bull and via other
online websites.
 Further develop your résumé by adding your
campus activities, volunteer experiences and parttime jobs.
 Schedule a mock interview in the Career Center.
 Continue to be involved with campus activities and
student organizations.
 Conduct informational interviews or job shadowing
with career professionals and identify career
mentors.
4-Year Career Action Plan - Continued
Juniors
Gain Career Experience
Academic
 Consult with an advisor in your major to
confirm degree requirements.
 Continue to focus on maintaining good
academic progress.

Career & Life
 Meet with a Career Peer or Counselor to discuss
career choices.
 Explore career options by attending employer
information sessions.
 Revise post-graduation career goals and specific
action steps to assist you in achieving.
 Update your Recruit-A-Bull profile and résumé.
 Reality test your career choices by completing
experiential education such as internships, study
abroad, or service-learning.
 Continue developing skills and abilities through
student organization, internships, part-time
employment, and volunteer.
 Request to job shadow or conduct site visits in your
career field.
 Pick up the Career Centers Guide to Graduate
School.
 Explore programs and entrance requirements
for graduate school.
 Make plans to take entrance tests appropriate
to your program.
 Update your résumé and explore career options.
 Obtain 3-5 strong references from faculty, staff,
advisors, supervisors, coaches, etc.
Seniors
Job Search
Academic
Career & Life
 Consult with academic advisor/registrar to
confirm degree requirements.
 Strive to finish strong academically. Employers
value a good GPA and academic skills.
 Apply for Graduation!
 Sharpen job search skills; attend Career Center
events and workshops focusing on job search
strategies.
 Apply to graduate and professional schools.
 Attend Job Fairs and networking opportunities on
and off campus.
 Meet with a Career Center Staff regularly to discuss
opportunities and options.
 Identify on and off-campus recruiting opportunities.
 Network with professionals and alumni.
 Use the Internet in job search activities.
 Create a LinkedIn profile and use it to join groups,
connect with others, and expand your professional
network online.
 Have résumé critiqued at the Career Center.
 Schedule a mock interview if not done previously or
schedule another to improve your skills further.
 Develop a way to track your job applications.
 Submit job applications, follow-up appropriately.
 Prepare for job interviews by researching
companies, market trends, and salary trends.
 Develop negotiation skills, research similar job
benefits and salary levels and be prepared to
discuss upon being offered a job.
 Complete the USFSP Graduation Senior Survey
upon graduating and let us know your postgraduation plans.
Career preparation starts early! The earlier you start career planning the more your chances for success
improve. Conversely, it is never too late to begin taking action steps toward a career goal.