Career Services 4 StepsTo Finding Your Future

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A member of The Texas State University System

“Exemplary career services leading Texas State students into the future.”

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• Career fair listings and information • Online scheduling calendar for interivews • Direct online submission of your resume to job fair employers • Important announcements about workshops and fairs

Who am I? Self Assessment: Evaluate what you want from a career. Explore your personal goals and source of energy. Discuss your thoughts with a career counselor.

Read self-assessment books in the Career Services library such as, I Could Do Anything, If I Only Knew What It Was! Take it to the next level with career assessments, including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Strong Interest Inventory.

Check out the Career Services Web site, including Sigi3, an online research tool.

What’s out there?

Exploration: Research additional career information.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook offers specific information about job descriptions, salary ranges and future trends, as well as qualifications needed.

Take introductory courses and investigate professions.

Conduct information interviews with professors or professionals in your field of interest.

Seek out student organizations to find out where their graduates find employment.

What’s that like?

Reality Testing: The following are ways to test your “reality,” in essence to try on different jobs and see if they would be a good fit.

Consider an internship or job shadowing experience to gain hands-on, marketable experience!

Think about doing study abroad for a semester.

Also, try to learn a foreign language.

Participate in events and do volunteer work. Take class projects seriously.

Gain experience. Always seek an internship to gain valuable work experience, in addition to establishing contacts with potential employers.

Continue to explore options, networking with any and all professionals in your field. Join LinkedIn, an online networking site that will help you rub elbows with employers.

Think about getting a part-time job that will give you the skills that will transfer to a career.

Again, get involved. Obtain leadership positions in organizations. Learn teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills. Take on a key role in events and volunteer activities.

How do I get there?

Implementation: Upload your edited résumé and keep it current on Jobs4Cats, our job search database.

Secure employment to enhance qualifications relevant to your field of choice. Practice interviewing and review your practice interviews through audio or videotape.

Network. Network. Network. Practice your networking skills by participating in job shadowing, and attend multiple career fairs to learn more about available positions, requirements and to develop contacts.

Have your résumé reviewed by one of our counselors to ensure it includes all your knowledge, skills and abilities. Research and plan on gaining any qualifications that might be missing.

Develop good study skills and pay attention to your GPA, which is often considered by future employers.

Read for pleasure and to sharpen your vocabulary skills. Use a thesaurus when writing papers.

Develop a portfolio to include letters of recommendation from instructors and other professionals.

Create a reference page with names, positions and contact information of at least three people.

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“We provide comprehensive assistance to students in each stage of their career development, incorporating the most current practices and technology.�

This information is available in alternate format upon request from the Office of Disability Service

Career Services LBJSC - 5-7.1 601 University Drive San Marcos, TX 78666-4616 careerservices.txstate.edu This information is available in alternate format upon request from the Office of Disability Services.