School of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Northern Arizona University
928-523-2845
PO Box 5638
928-523-1711 fax
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5638
www.nau.edu/hrm
Career Planning Timeline
Self Assessment: First Year
 Start attending Pathways events
 Visit the HRM Career Services Office (CS) and the Gateway Student Success Center
websites for resources
 Take a career or self assessment (Sigi3)
 Identify areas within hospitality that relate to your interests, abilities, and values
 Begin exploring careers with companies related to your major
 Write or update your résumé and have it critiqued by the HRM CS office, Gateway &
HRM professors
 Set up your profile on Jobs for Jacks
 Get involved in a campus/HRM 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 Hospitality Career Fair Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer
information sessions, fireside chats 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
 Make appointment to meet with your HRM Academic Advisor
 Develop relationships with advisors and faculty members
 Continue to attend Pathways events
 Re-evaluate your career interests and values based on your first year experiences
 Begin exploring a double major, minor, or certificates
 Begin exploring possible graduate school programs and admissions tests for each
 Use the HRM CS and the Gateway Student Success Center websites to research career
occupations related to your major
 Increase involvement in extracurricular activities and seek leadership roles
 Talk with professionals in hospitality occupations that interest you
 Update your résumé
 Attend Hospitality Career Fair Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer
information sessions, fireside chats and recruiting tables
 Apply for internships/part-time jobs/volunteer or paid work experiences
Career Decisions: Third Year
 Make an appointment to meet with your HRM Academic Advisor
 Finish attending required Pathways events
 Update your résumé and have it critiqued by the HRM CS, professors & Gateway
 Continue campus involvement—take on leadership roles in organizations and/or
volunteer projects
 Identify faculty, staff, advisors and mentors who will serve as references for employment
or graduate school
 Research potential employers (company profile and mission, career progression,
company culture, geographic region)
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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 Business Leadership Program through FCB
Attend Hospitality Career Fair Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer
information sessions, fireside chats 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
 Finish required Pathways events if not already completed
 Meet with your Academic advisor for graduation application info
 Update your résumé and have it critiqued by the HRM CS or professors
 Continue networking with faculty, staff, parents, friends, alumni, and others
 Officially gather your references for employment and graduate school
 Make sure your voicemail/answering, e-mail address, website, and social networking
accounts are professional
 Apply for graduate school if you plan to continue your education
 Continue researching potential employers (company profile and mission, career
progression, company culture, geographic region)
 Attend Hospitality Career Fair Day, NAU Career and Graduate School Fairs, employer
information sessions, fireside chats and recruiting tables
 Actively search for employment opportunities on Job for Jacks and company HR
websites
 Apply for jobs
 Prepare for job offers/graduate school acceptances
Contact:
HRM Career Services Office
HRM room 101- East wing
Phone: 928-523-1610
E-mail: Suzanne.Siler@nau.edu
Website: http://hrm.nau.edu/resources/hrm_career_services