| 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.
- Find work you admire; follow on Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc.
| - 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.
- Write everyday! Use a journal, a blog, etc.
- 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.
- Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
- Take MASC 261(Fall) and MASC 203 (Spring).
- File request/petition to declare concentration in MASC 203.
- Maintain 2.5 GPA (major and cumulative).
| | | - 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.
- Create a draft resume and come to drop-ins with MASC's Career Development Advisor.
- Apply for research opportunities; connect other interests with journalism.
| - 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.
- Apply to scholarships for next year. Many deadlines are January - March.
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| Year 3 | - 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.
- Complete MASC 303, 363 and 367 (Fall).
- For Digital: complete MASC 301 (Fall) and MASC 305 (Spring). For Broadcast: complete MASC 460 and 415 (Spring).
| | - Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
- 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.
- Take a course that links diversity to your field of study.
- Join a cultural organization.
| - Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Update your ePortfolio.
- Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
- Complete an internship or freelance.
- Attend professional conferences, like SPJ.
| - 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.
- Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
- Create a website.
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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.
- Attend a graduation workshop a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
- Complete your capstone and internship.
- Attend the annual Portfolio Review event for graduating Journalism majors.
| | - 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.
- Attend the annual Portfolio Review event for graduating Journalism majors.
- Build intercultural competence by engaging with international students on campus.
| - Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
- 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).
- Gain practical experience through internships, externships and skill building.
- Gain feedback from professionals on your portfolio, including side projects.
| - 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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