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Career Development Center
Your
Career Action Plan is a roadmap that will
offer you guidance starting in your
Freshman year and taking you on a journey to your Senior year and beyond.
The Career Action Plan is a checklist of activities and
strategies that will empower you to achieve your career goals. You can use
this three-part outline as a guide for managing your own personal life plan.
And feel free to adapt it to your unique situation.
1 EXPLORE
|
Freshman & Sophomore
Discovering your
interests, skills and values. Exploring
your options.
Choosing a career path.
2 ENGAGE |
Sophomore
& Junior
Getting involved on campus and in the community. Gaining experience in your chosen career.
3 EXECUTE
|
Junior & Senior
Organizing your tools. Managing
your campaign. Pursuing and obtaining a meaningful career opportunity.

Millennials in the Workplace
Stop Wishing, Start Doing
How Successful People Think
What Should I Do
With My Life?
Corporate Nightmare
"First, you have to have a goal. For, if you don't know where you are
going, then any road will take you there -- and it won't really matter
what you do with your life. In fact, if you don't clearly know where you
are going in your life, you probably won't recognize it when you get
there."
-WAITLEY & WITT
"Begin
with the end in mind. Start with a clear understanding of your
destination. Know where you are going so that you better understand where
you are now, and so that the steps you take are always in the right
direction."
-STEPHEN COVEY
1 EXPLORE
Freshman & Sophomore
This is
the exploration or discovery phase in which you assess your personality
and explore your options. Your objective during this first stage is to
expose yourself to new experiences and meet new people. Try something new.
It is time to learn more about yourself and study the world around you.
You should engage in tasks that help you identify your talents, passions,
and values and begin the process of discovering your purpose in life. It
is time to learn more about potential paths. You should engage in tasks
that help you gather information and investigate a variety of possible
directions. Your goal at the end of this stage is to develop your sense of
direction.
--Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your coursework
--Learn about campus services, resources, and activities
--Talk to upperclassmen and gain advice about campus activities
--Meet with your career counselor to discuss your career and life goals
--Take a career test to assess your personality traits
--Explore extracurricular activities that are of interest to you
--Attend various social, cultural, and recreational events
--Participate in a volunteer community service project
--Talk with your resident advisor about your college experience
--Consider taking a course in something new to enrich your academic
experience
--Engage in activities that foster self-discovery and allow you to meet
new people
--Investigate campus clubs or organizations that are of interest to you
--Engage in activities that expose you to new ideas and unfamiliar
territories
--Engage in activities that allow you to explore a wide variety of career
options
--Meet with your professors to solicit insight about your college
experience
Career Planning Resources
Career Exploration Information
Extracurricular Activities
Your College Experience:
Extracurricular Activities
How to Find
Your Passion
Careers by Major
Purpose and Passion
What Can I do With This Major?
Career Ship: Mapping Your Future
Occupational Outlook
Handbook
Academic Invest: Discover
Careers
How to Know Your Life
Purpose
Guide to Goal
Setting

2
ENGAGE
Sophomore &
Junior
This is the engagement or experiential
phase in which you begin researching your field of interest and gaining
experience. This second stage should be devoted to professional
development and career preparation. Your objective during this stage is to
increase your sense of focus and solidify your career direction by getting
more involved. It is time to expand your knowledge and improve your skills
by applying yourself outside the classroom. You should participate in
activities that validate and support your career goal and build your
credibility. Your goal at the end of this stage is to be prepared.
--Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your major, minor and
elective coursework
--Meet with your professors to discuss special projects and activities
--Meet with your career counselor to discuss your options and plans
--Attend career events, info sessions, fairs, and expos to gather
information
--Learn about various occupations through publications and websites
--Talk to people who work in fields you are interested in and solicit
their insight
--Engage in job shadowing of people and work settings you are interested
in
--Learn how to write an effective resume and cover letter
--Learn how to prepare for a job interview
Job Market Tools
Resume
Writing Resources
Skills
Employers Value
Examples of Good Interview Answers
Job Interview as a
Performance
Interview Questions: Tell Me About Yourself
Interview Tips: Tell Me About Yourself
Answering Interview Questions
Interview Preparation
Job Interview
Questions and Answers
Tell
Me About Yourself
Interview Do's and Don'ts
Interview Tips: How to Impress the Interviewer
Communicate Your Strengths
Special Issues
Graduate School
Preparation

3
EXECUTE
Junior &
Senior
This is the execution phase in which
you organize your resources, apply your strategy, and implement your plan.
Your objective during this third stage is to finalize your plan,
investigate opportunities, and launch your campaign. It is time to gather
the necessary resources and equip yourself for entry into the job market.
In this stage you are encouraged to take control and initiate action. You
should utilize strategies, techniques, and tools that will allow you to
effectively manage your campaign and excel in your career. Your goal at
the end of this final stage is to be confident and empowered so that you
can pursue and obtain your goal.
--Meet with your academic advisor to discuss how your major relates to
your career path
--Meet with your professors to discuss field-specific issues and key
contacts
--Meet with your career counselor to organize your plans, tools, and
strategies
--Attend career events, workshops, info sessions, fairs and expos to
pursue opportunities
--Join a professional organization or group related to your career path
--Attend professional meetings, conferences or conventions
--Attend panels and other events to hear guest speakers discuss critical
issues
--Engage in a special research project or practicum/clinical experience
--Obtain an internship to gain experience directly relevant to your career
path
--Begin the graduate and professional school application process
--Request referrals, recommendations, and references from your professors
--Conduct detailed job market research to learn about specific employers
in your field
--Build a prospect list of the companies and organizations you’d like to
work for
--Learn effective networking, prospecting and follow-up techniques
--Learn how to effectively manage a job search campaign
--Learn about professional behavior, professional attire, etiquette,
protocol and workplace issues
--Engage in activities that empower you to have more control and choice in
the job market
--Participate in a mock interview or interview practice session
--Attend career workshops and training sessions to enhance career
preparation
--Get involved in extracurricular activities to build your experience and
make contacts
--Join campus clubs or organizations that relate to your career path
--Participate in a volunteer community service project relevant to your
interests or skills
--Engage in activities that test your skills and abilities
--Serve in a leadership role or in some capacity as an organizer,
coordinator, or facilitator
--Establish mentor relationships with key people in your field of interest
--Obtain an internship to further explore and research your career options
--Conduct general job market research to learn more about your field of
interest
--Research your graduate and professional school options
--Engage in activities that enhance your sense of focus and build your
experience
Job Market Tools
Resume
Writing Resources
Skills
Employers Value
Make the Most of Your
Career
Zip Recruiter: Job Market Trends
How to
Master Your Job Search
Six Ways
to Crack the Hidden Job Market
Ten
Things Employers Want From a New Hire
Glassdoor: Job Market Trends
Tech Republic: Job Market Trends
Vault: Job Market Trends
US News: Tips for the Hidden Job Market
The Balance: Careers
Graduate School
Preparation
The Real World

Career Development Center
University of Montevallo
Station 6262 | Montevallo, Alabama 35115
Farmer Hall, Second Floor
205-665-6262 | career@montevallo.edu
UM Career Dev Center
Mission|Vision Statement
You Belong at
Montevallo: Campus Tour
The Montevallo Experience
Career Action Plan: Managing Your Career
Univ of Montevallo:
Campus Life
UM Flacon Athletics

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