Roadmap to STEM Career Success
First Year: Get Grounded
Explore Interests: Take introductory courses in STEM fields that interest you. Don’t be afraid to take this time to engage in other professional pathway interests. Join student organizations aligned with your interests. Learn about opportunities related to your interest by joining a Career Community See a Pre-Health Advisor. Thinking about a pre-health track? Be sure to see our Pre-Health Advisor and become familiar with the pre-health timeline. The pre-health timeline is also available on our website.
Self:Discovery:
Complete a Self-Assessment or Online Career Assessment
Build your Handshake profile.
Begin narrowing interests to help choose a major. Talking with a career counselor/pre-professional advisor or visiting the College Academic Advising Center (White Hall 300) can help identify career options and give you added confidence when it is time to choose a major.
Develop Skills: Enroll in foundational courses that strengthen your core STEM skills and communication abilities.
Network: Attend campus events to meet upperclassmen and alumni in your field. The Career and Professional Development Pathways Center offers Networking Nights, Career Trek Trips, and more!
Sophomore Year: Gain Experience
Explore Further: Take advanced courses in your chosen major or areas of interest. Look for opportunities to participate in research.
Build Skills: Opt for Experiential Learning that provides real-world applications of your knowledge. Develop technical skills relevant to your field.
Build Portfolio: Keep a journal of accomplishments. This can include personal projects, academic projects, internship experiences, and leadership experiences. Keeping a running list of your accomplishments will be crucial when building a resume.
Gain Experience: Look for internship opportunities related to your interests. Volunteer in STEM-related fields or lead a club/organization to develop transferable skills.
Network: Attend career fairs and industry events to learn about job trends and connect with professionals. Talk to alumni about their career paths. Attend Sophomore Summit, a program targeting career development needed exclusively for Sophomores!
Junior Year: Refine Your Focus
Explore Your Career Plans and Options: Begin to narrow your career goals. Research possible careers aligned with your major, and connect with your career coach to learn more about the wealth of career options and job titles that exist in STEM, both academic and non-academic options.
Prepare for the Future: Refine your resume and online profiles (LinkedIn, Handshake, etc.) to highlight your achievements and skills. Connect with a Career Coach in the Pathways Center and leverage the available career guides
Sharpen Skills: Continue building technical and soft skills through internships, research projects, or leadership roles in student organizations.
Gear Up for Applications: Finalize your job search materials (resume, LinkedIn profile, portfolio) in a timely keeping in mind the average internship/job search is a 4–6-month process. Prepare for technical assessments, technical interviews and case studies if you plan to target a highly technical role. Build a portfolio of technical projects if needed for your job search. Meet with your career coach to ensure that job search materials are strong and to learn more about job search best practices.
Senior Year: Launch Your Career
Build a Job Search Routine: Determine how you will stay organized and manage your job search in addition to balancing coursework.
Apply and Interview: Apply to graduate programs, internships, or full-time jobs.
Showcase Yourself: Prepare a strong interview pitch and examples that showcase your strengths and experiences.
Network Strategically: Connect with professionals in your field through conferences, alumni networks, Linkedin, and cold emailing.
Leverage Your Career Coach: Your career coach can help you prepare for interviews, practice your elevator pitch, negotiate salary and so much more!
Prepare for Graduation: Participate in career fairs and workshops offered by the CPD specifically for graduating students. Fine-tune your post-graduation plan, whether this be full-time employment, graduate school, or a gap year.
Remember: This is a general guide, and some actions might be appropriate for different years depending on your specific goals and progress.
The key is to be proactive, explore your options, and utilize the resources available at The Pathways Center!
