Academic and Career Enrichment Center

What's Your Plan?

Explore, Experience, Engage, Emerge

Click here to download this checklist in printable format.

Stage 1: EXPLORE

• Make an appointment with ACE to get acquainted with our services and resources. Think about what assistance you need in developing your "campus-to-career" plan.
• Create or update your profile on the ACE Connect where you will be able to upload a résumé and connect with employers for future internships and jobs.
• Research career fields and occupations to determine what might be the best fit for you.
• Revise your résumé and cover letter. 
• Determine what activities in addition to your coursework will make you a more competitive applicant as you continue in your graduate degree program and after you graduate (e.g., part-time work, internship, volunteering, etc.). 
• Ask your career advisor for connections to professionals to conduct informational interviews and job shadowing experiences. Be sure to join the BenU Network!

Stage 2: EXPERIENCE

• Check in with your career advisor and revise and update your résumé if needed. Continue your career exploration and research. Add to your professional online presence by creating or updating your LinkedIn profile.
• Connect with alumni and other community members to complete informational interviews and job shadowing experiences to learn more about your projected career path and feel more confident in your decisions. 
• Meet with your academic advisor and ask for recommendations regarding networking opportunities.
• If an internship is required in your degree, determine when you want to complete that experience so you can start a timeline for the application process. Check out these links for:
  - M.S. in Dietetic Internship Program 
  - M.P.H. Internship Program 
  - M.B.A. Internship Program
  - M.S. in Clinical Exercise Physiology
  - See this listing if your degree program is not listed here. Contact your academic advisor if you have questions about internships for credit. 
• Research and start to apply for internships.
• Look into additional experiential learning opportunities, such as studying or working abroad.

Stage 3: ENGAGE

• Make an appointment with your career advisor. Update your job search documents and LinkedIn page.
• Attend BenU and CCCI internship and career fairs.
• Participate in internships and externships in your field. Keep a log of your accomplishments for greater ease in updating your résumé.
• Research the job market in your areas of interest as well as graduate school. Utilize resources in the Career Resource Library to help in your research.
• Attend workshops as needed to strengthen your professional skills and preparedness.
• Do your best to continue earning good grades and take on leadership roles in your program.
• Build your networking and interviewing skills. Attend networking events produced by ACE and the Office of Alumni Relations.
• Schedule a practice interview with your career advisor.

Stage 4: EMERGE

• Check in with your career advisor and review your campus-to-career plan. Update your job search documents and LinkedIn profile. Set your job search objectives and create a timeline and activity log.
• Submit your updated job search documents to the virtual career centers.
• Determine the parameters of your job search: geographic location, size and type of company you wish to work for, field, etc.
• Identify targeted companies and organizations. Talk to your career advisor about how to tailor your cover letters and other documents to your targeted companies.
• Continue networking: Attend events on campus and through professional associations of particular interest to you. Join the BenU Network and connect with the Office of Alumni Relations  to get connected with fellow Benedictine alumni. 
• Actively seek, apply and interview for jobs. Participate in on-campus interviews when available; attend CareerFest through the College Career Consortium of Illinois (CCCI); apply to jobs posted online; rely on your developing network for news about potential jobs that would be a good match for you.
• Make an appointment to do a practice interview with your career advisor. Research starting salaries in your industry and talk about when and how to negotiate.
• Continue to attend networking events and practice professional communication and etiquette.