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My Razorback Resume

"My Razorback Resume" is the ultimate planning guide developed by career center staff based on years of experience working with students and extensive research on this topic. These are the "employer approved" core steps you take each year of college to become competitive, prepared, and confident about your future.

First Year: Exploring

  • Visit with a Career Counselor about "major exploration"
  • Get active in a student group (RSO)
  • Visit Career Development Center and learn about eRecruiting
  • Volunteer on campus or in the community
  • Take a career assessment (STRONG, DISCOVER, TypeFocus, MB)
  • Participate in the Professional Development Institute sponsored by the Career Development Center
  • Get part-time, summer or internship experience
  • Get to know your academic advisor
  • Explore academic majors: attend the Majors Fair, learn what to do with a major in ..., and enroll in the Career Decision-Making course VAED 1011
  • Begin building your resume
  • Begin to develop a portfolio of your papers, projects, designs, etc.
  • Go to class, keep up with your assignments, and maintain a good GPA

Second Year: Deciding

  • Visit with a Career Counselor about your future plans and goals
  • Declare a major if you haven't already
  • Get active in an organization related to your major
  • Develop a plan for graduation and review your degree audit with your academic advisor
  • If you plan to attend graduate or professional school, talk with your advisor about pre-requisites
  • Research Study Abroad options
  • Participate in the Professional Development Institute sponsored by the Career Development Center
  • Continue involvement in a campus or community organization
  • Volunteer - - - as your time permits
  • Continue building your resume and portfolio
  • Attend a Career Development Center resume workshop
  • Keep eRecruiting registration and documents "up-to-date"
  • Find a summer job, Co-op, or internship: use eRecruiting, attend a Career Fair, or talk to a Co-op Coordinator
  • Maintain a good GPA!

Third Year: Planning

  • Visit with a Career Counselor about graduate school or career planning strategies
  • Explore careers related to your major: conduct informational interviews, attend job fairs, and search the web
  • Participate in the Professional Development Institute sponsored by the Career Development Center
  • If you plan to attend graduate or professional school, learn the application/admission process
  • Keep your eRecruiting registration and documents "up-to-date"
  • Search for jobs and internships on eRecruiting
  • Develop professional interview skills: attend a workshop and participate in mock interviews
  • Fine-tune your resume and portfolio by having them reviewed by a Career Counselor
  • Learn how to use a variety of "job search" strategies: attend a workshop and meet with a Career Counselor for job coaching
  • Provide leadership or plan events for student or service groups
  • Apply for Co-op and internship opportunities
  • Maintain a good GPA

Fourth Year: Embarking

  • Visit with a Career Counselor about graduate school or career goals
  • Select faculty and administrators to provide references for jobs, graduate or professional school
  • Don't miss a deadline for graduate or professional school applications
  • Participate in the Professional Development Institute sponsored by the Career Development Center
  • Keep your resume and portfolio updated on eRecruiting
  • Polish your interviewing and job search skills
  • Attend Job Fairs and employer information sessions
  • Research employer information and prepare for each interview
  • Learn how to network effectively: organize your contacts and attend a networking workshop
  • Keep an open mind to career opportunities
  • Inform the Career Development Center when you have a job offer and accept their assistance when negotiating an offer.

Graduate School: Specializing

  • Find a faculty mentor
  • Explore career possibilities
  • Review resume
  • Develop a vita
  • Create 30 second commercial
  • Attend and present at conferences
  • Join professional associations
  • Develop network in field
  • Schedule mock interview
  • Observe interview process of campus search committees
  • Attend university-sponsored workshops/training sessions
  • Post resume on eRecruiting
  • Publish if possible
  • De-stress: exercise, sleep, play, study with friends, talk to someone
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