Starting college brings big questions—especially about the future. Many first-year
students wonder:
Am I confident in my major? What are my career options?
It’s normal to seek guidance during this time. Use the checklist below to explore
interests and begin shaping a career path.
- Activate your Handshake account and complete your profile
- Attend the Meet Your Major Fair in the Fall quarter
- Complete career assessments (like Focus2Career or TypeFocus) exploring values, personality, interests, and skills/abilities
- Explore occupational information via O*Net or Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Enroll in UNIV2002: Intro to Career Development (2 credits) Winter/Spring only
- Schedule an appointment with a career coach
The second year of college is an ideal time to begin developing professional skills
and gaining practical experience. Key questions during this stage include:
Do I have a strong resume? How do I find an internship?
Use the checklist below to build a solid foundation, explore opportunities, and prepare
for future success.
- Attend professional development seminars like The Successful Interview and Writing an Effective Resume
- Research internships/jobs on Handshake
- Review the resume with a Career Center Ambassador or online with Quinncia
- Practice interview skills with Big Interview and Quinncia
- Attend a career fair or networking event
- Apply to be a Career Center Student Ambassador in the Spring Quarter for the next year to build competencies (open to all majors
and years)
- Secure a summer internship or volunteer opportunity related to your field
The third year of college is a pivotal time to refine career goals and expand professional
networks. Common questions include:
Do I understand my career path? How do I connect with potential employers?
This is the year to take intentional steps toward post-graduation success. Use the
checklist below to build experience, strengthen connections, and gain clarity on future
plans.
- Enroll in a career planning course related to your major, or enroll in the UNIV3032 Career Planning course provided by the Career Center (2 credits; fall, winter spring)
- Register and attend an Etiquette Dinner to practice how to engage employers over a meal
- Conduct Informational Interviews with professionals in your field of interest to build connections and gain insight
- Attend Career Prep events prior to attending the career fairs to improve job/internship search strategies
- Explore graduate schools by attending the Graduate Schools & Health Sciences Career Fair in the Fall
- Participate in professional development seminars like LinkedIn 101, Fashion & Career, and Do’s * Don’ts of Career Fairs
- Pursue a summer internship or volunteer opportunity aligned with your career goals
- Schedule an appointment via Handshake with a career coach to review internship search strategies
With graduation approaching, it's time to take concrete steps toward life after college.
Common questions for seniors include:
Do I know what I’m doing after graduation?
Whether pursuing a job, graduate school, or still exploring options, this is the time
for action. Use the checklist below to prepare for the next chapter:
The biggest difference between an undergraduate experience and a graduate experience
is the level of specialization and skill development. During graduate school, you
are building advanced expertise in areas of interest, potentially engaging in research,
and pursuing education, licensure, or credentials that can prepare you for greater
professional responsibility and career advancement.
Use the checklist below to review your graduate experience:
- Translate your graduate experience into skills, accomplishments, and value that employers will understand
- Update your professional brand - Resume/CV, LinkedIn, portfolio of work, professional introduction
- Build your professional network through faculty, alumni, conferences, employers, and other professional organizations
- Attend career fairs that pertain to your area(s) of interest
- Research your field to understand current expectations, trends, compensations, benefits, license/credential
requirements, etc
- Meet with a career coach in the Career Center to create a plan for continued growth beyond graduation, including the application of professional
development, networking, and other means of advancement
- Near graduation (same quarter), complete your First Destination Survey via Handshake to report your post-graduate plans
Louisiana Tech alum still have access to Handshake’s powerful tools—job listings,
career events, and one-on-one support. To make the most of it, start with this key
question:
Is my Handshake profile up to date?
Keeping the profile current ensures that alum don’t miss out on opportunities or resources
available. Check out these other items to keep going:
- Update your email address from @latech.edu to a personal email address
- Schedule an appointment with a career coach via Handshake
- Connect with the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association
- Attend career fairs that pertain to your area(s) of interest
- Reach out to the Career Center about other online resources available to you for resumes,
interviewing, and networking
