| Explore | Year 1 | | | | - Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake.
- Create a draft resume and meet with a career advisor in VCU Career Services to discuss it.
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation with the da Vinci Center.
- Follow the School of Education’s social media for workshops and events.
| - Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility)
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| Experience | Year 2 | - Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
- Suggested courses: CLED 340, 405, and/or 440.
- Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
| | | - Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events.
- Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
- Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
- Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
- Join groups on LinkedIn reflecting specific careers or topics of interest.
- Train to be a peer health educator through the Well.
| - Attend an SOE information session or Open House.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
- Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
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| Year 3 | - Conduct independent undergraduate research.
- Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
- Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
- Suggested courses: CLED 501 and/or 520.
| | - Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
- Attend presentations and conferences pertinent to intercultural dialogue, history and issues.
- Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
- Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
| | - Attend the VCU Careers in Education Symposium.
- Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revist gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year.
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| Excel | Year 4 | - Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
- Take suggested courses noted from previous years, not taken already.
| | - Attend Office of Multicultural Student Affairs I Love Diversity Week.
- Attend OMSA Tunnel of Oppression.
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
- Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
| - Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
- Explore applying to the Substitute Teaching the VCU Way program.
- Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences.
- Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
| - Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
- Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
- Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
- Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
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