Resources for Students - Career Timeline

Career Timeline

Freshman Year

Take a wide variety of classes to broaden your exposure to potential career options.
Focus on good grades from the beginning; if you fall behind, it is more difficult to recover.
Take a computerized career assessment. Begin your career exploration with the Career Services Office to find out more about how your interests, values, and personality match up with potential career paths.
Develop your first resume and continue to improve and enhance it by adding experiences from your college years.
Join a campus organization or club. This will exemplify your leadership and teamwork skills. It will also provide valuable vocational information.
Secure a part-time position or volunteer position in an industry or occupation of interest.
Attend the Annual Job Fair sponsored by the Career Services Office. This will give you the chance to network with employers and inquire about part-time, internships, and full-time summer positions. A great opportunity to ask questions about career paths and job qualifications.

Select a major based upon your career focus and interests. (Career assessments are available to assist with choosing a major).
Don’t use all of your elective credits too early. Focus on coursework within your major.
Ask recent graduates for the names of professors and classes, which most benefited their career. (A listing of Alumni Names can be obtained from the Career Services Office Career Contact Database).
Conduct informational interviewing with several employers to better understand the career field of interest. Participate in on-campus recruiting and annual Job Fairs. (Schedules are available in Career Services – RSAC – Upper Level – Room # 26)
Begin to develop and establish your personal network of employer contacts. (The Career Services Office can assist with putting you in touch with a variety of employers).
Research the job market and your career of choice. Uncover the job qualifications necessary to secure employment within your career of interest.
Strengthen your relationship with The Career Services Office staff. Seek assistance with researching internship and volunteer experiences.

Maintain your grades. The classes will begin to get more difficult, so continue your focus on succeeding in your studies.
Build alliances with your professors and department heads in your major. They will also be instrumental with your job search. They can serve as a referral source for employers as well as writing you letters of recommendation.
Participate in campus organizations and run for offices. Community involvement plays a vital role in career planning. It can also help in building your professional network of employer contacts.
Begin planning for your final year with the Career Services Office. This will ensure your preparation and help you target the needs of potential employers.
Target a second internship. Locate an internship as close as possible to the type of work you will enjoy after graduation.
Participate in special events co-sponsored by career services and alumni affairs. Event schedules can be obtained in career services. Attend the annual job fair.
Update your resume and have it critiqued by the Career Counselor.

Prepare your job search early. Open a credential file and fine-tune your resume and cover-letter. Continue to utilize the career counseling resources to further broaden your job search.
Activate your personal network of professional contacts. Enlist their support in your job search.
Attend the Annual Job Fair, Dining Etiquette and Mock Interview Seminars sponsored by the Career Services Office.
Participate in the Resume Book publications to begin networking your resume to area employers.
Begin interviewing as early as possible in your senior year. Many of the best positions are filled before the end of the Fall Semester.
Post your resume and cover-letter on career websites.

For a full listing of all campus events, visit our online calendar.

St. Thomas Aquinas College
125 Route 340
Sparkill, NY 10976
845.398.4100