Junior year: gain career experience; build your professional network
>Monitor your academic progress - are you on track to graduate?
>Make a major effort to expand your professional network; talk with as many people as you can as you begin to solidify your future plans.
>Attend at least three chamber of commerce events throughout the school year.
>Attend the career fair at Thomas, as well as other job and career fairs throughout Maine
>Visit a State of Maine Career Center (nearest one is in Augusta).
>Make contact with people who are working in your field, and conduct informational interviews.
>Continue to build relationships with your professors. Make sure they get to know you well and seek their input and guidance.
>Explore external trade groups and organizations related to your career interests and inquire about student memberships.
>Visit Career Services at least twice during the year; seek their help to make sure you understand what to focus on before you are a senior.
>Ask if assessment tests are appropriate for you, either through Career Services or the Maine Career Centers.
>Reflect on your summer employment or internship - note significant accomplishments or things you did that you liked and disliked.
>Continue to update your resume, focusing more on accomplishments than job duties.
>Consult with Career Services about effective formats and content.
>Continue to attend Career Services' programs.
>Ask Career Services to conduct a mock interview session with you.
>Research prospective employers. Become familiar with organizations in your field, learn about the kinds of jobs available, and learn what skills and attributes they look for.
>Set up profiles on myjobwave.com, jobsinme.com, mainecareercenter.com, and other similar regional and national sites depending on where you will be located.
>Consider graduate school as your next step after college. Investigate the degree to which grad school is important in your field and for reaching your career goals.
>Add to your professional wardrobe over time.
>Continue developing your ePortfolio.
>Always be on the lookout for opportunities to build your skills and experience.
>Search for and apply for an internship.
>Seek opportunities to work on special projects with classmates.
>Pursue officer roles (president, vice president, etc.) with clubs and organizations you belong to.
>Keep your eyes on the Career Services online bulletin board for events and other professional development opportunities.
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Thomas College Career Services
207-859-1464
CareerHelp@thomas.edu
