Your Checklist for Career Success
Your Guaranteed Employment Agreement includes the following criteria:
 Maintain a 3.0 GPA or above
 US employment eligibility
 Employment, internship, federal work study or practicum in your field of at least 120 hours
 Regular involvement in a professional, volunteer, community service or on-campus organization
 Faculty recommendation
 Good financial standing with Davenport
 Ability to pass a criminal background check
 “Opt in” to Employment Guarantee program
In addition to these criteria, the following steps will get you well on your way to career success:
First Semester/Freshman Year:
___ Complete self evaluation form provided upon initial contact.
___ Meet with a Career Services Coordinator to assess your interests, values, and skills to identify a
major or career action plan. It is extremely important to discuss criminal background issues that may
hinder your career success immediately with Career Services so they can assist you effectively.
___ Research occupational interests and groups/organizations involved with these fields.
___ Conduct informational interviews with people who are working in the industry you would like to pursue.
___ Investigate on-campus and off-campus involvement; learn how to balance academic requirements with
campus activities and a social life, work, family, etc.
___ Speak with your Advisor about taking an internship for academic credit in the next year or two.
Second Semester/Sophomore Year:
___ Meet with Career Services to develop your resume or have it reviewed.
___ Set up a mock interview with Career Services to practice and develop interviewing skills.
___ Draft a cover letter and a thank-you/follow-up letter.
___ Join organizations that complement your major and increase your marketability.
___ Attend career-related events on campus: workshops, presentations, Career Fairs, etc.
___ Begin using DUCareerNET, our job search database. Post your resume and search for jobs and internships.
___ See your Advisor, Career Services Coordinator, and Department Coordinator to discuss internship,
volunteer, or off-campus federal work study opportunities.
Third Semester/Junior Year:
___ Secure an internship, volunteer or off-site work study opportunity in your field.
___ Keep building your network through informational interviews, volunteer, and professional association
activities. Networking contacts are the best resources for landing your first job.
___ Update your resume after your internship to reflect your experience and have Career Services review it.
___ Attend Career Fair/workshops to fine-tune your skills.
___ If further education is your next career step, begin researching or applying to graduate or professional schools.
Last Semester/Senior Year:
___ Sit down with a Career Services Coordinator to go over your resume, job search strategies, interviewing tips.
___ Use DUCareerNET, other sites, and your networking contacts to find job opportunities.
___ Gather a list of people to use as references and make sure they can speak positively on your behalf as a
professional in your field—this is where the networking pays off!!
___ Interview, Interview, Interview!!! Let Career Services know when you’ve landed that perfect job.