Career Planning Timeline
Self Assessment: First Year
 Start attending Pathways events
 Visit the FCB Career Development Office (CDO) and the Gateway Student Success Center
websites for resources
 Take a career or self assessment (Sigi3)
 Identify majors that relate to your interests, abilities, and values
 Begin exploring careers related to your major
 Write or update your résumé and have it critiqued by the Business Communication Center
 Set up your profile on Gateway Connects
 Get involved in a campus organization related to your major
 Start building your professional network with professors, organizational advisors, and other
people at the college and in the community who can assist in the job search process
 Attend Career Exploration Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer information
sessions, and recruiting tables
 Begin researching internship possibilities – apply for summer internships/jobs/experiences which
might help you reach your potential career goal(s)
Career Exploration: Second Year
 Finish attending Pathways events
 Re-evaluate your career interests and values based on your first year experiences
 Make or confirm your choice of major; begin exploring a double major, minor, or certificates
 Begin exploring possible graduate school programs and admissions tests for each
 Use the FCB CDO and the Gateway Student Success Center websites to research career fields
and occupations related to your major
 Increase involvement in extracurricular activities and seek leadership roles
 Talk with professionals in career fields and occupations that interest you
 Update your résumé
 Attend Career Exploration Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer information
sessions, and recruiting tables
 Apply for internships/part-time jobs/volunteer work
Career Decisions: Third Year
 Make an appointment to meet with your Faculty Career Mentor
 Attend junior/senior Pathways events – plan to attend specific events that relate to your career
interests
 Update your résumé and have it critiqued by the Business Communication Center
 Continue campus involvement—take on leadership roles in organizations and/or volunteer
projects
 Develop relationships with advisors and faculty members; identify individuals who will serve as
references for employment or graduate school
 Send for career materials from professional associations and consider joining as a student
member
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Familiarize yourself with graduate school admissions procedures if you are planning to continue
your education; be aware of deadlines—the application process starts early
Consider joining the Professional Recognition Program if you haven’t already
Consider applying for the Executive Job Shadow program
Attend Career Exploration Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer information
sessions, and recruiting tables
Devote a significant amount of time to seeking a summer job/internship related to your field –
consider doing an internship for academic credit
Strategic Job or Graduate School Search: Fourth Year
 Attend junior/senior Pathways events – plan to attend specific events that relate to your career
interests
 Update your résumé and have it critiqued by the Business Communication Center
 Continue networking with faculty, staff, parents, friends, alumni, and others
 Officially gather your references for employment and graduate school
 Make sure your voicemail/answering machine message, e-mail address, website, and social
networking account is professional
 Apply for graduate school if you plan to continue your education
 Research potential employers (company profile and mission, career progression, company
culture, geographic region)
 Attend Career Exploration Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer information
sessions, and recruiting tables
 Actively search for employment opportunities on Gateway Connects and company HR websites
 Apply for jobs
 Prepare for job offers/graduate school acceptances
Contact:
FCB Career Development Office
FCB room 108
Phone: 928-523-1291
E-mail: FCB-CDO@nau.edu
Website: http://www.franke.nau.edu/StudentResources/CDO/Students/