How to Prepare for Your Career

You have it all figured out – your major, who you’re going to marry, where you are going to work and retire from. Okay, let’s be real – none of that is true and we get it, navigating college is challenging. Figuring out what you want to do after you cross the stage at Commencement shouldn’t have to be. The Office of Career and Professional Development is here to help guide you through the process of finding your career, even if you don’t know what that is yet.

“Your career starts day one,” OCPD Director Jim Dusserre said. “Everything you need and wherever you are on your journey, we are here to help. We find the best way to serve students.”

Though the office serves “Bulldogs for life,” including graduate students and alumni, first-year students are encouraged to visit the office and work with their graduate students or peer career educators (PCEs). Once a student selects their major, PCE’s help guide them to a career area expert within OCPD.

Additionally, every student should know these four things about OCPD:

1. “See us early and often,” Lucas Gorham, senior associate director, career integration & strategy said. The sooner students visit OCPD, the sooner “a personalized plan for career success” can be created.

2. “It’s okay not to know what you want to do – just show up,” Dusserre said. “Students will get the support they deserve,” no matter where they are on their journey.

3. “Coming in where you are is perfect,” De’Janay (DJ) Mathews, assistant director, internship programs said. No one has it “all figured out” and students shouldn’t feel pressured to have all the right answers. Coming in without a resume is fine and OCPD will help students create one.  

4. “Look further than the employer’s name,” Maria Williams, assistant director, employer & alumni connections said. Companies are recognized by what they do but there’s always more to the story. “Look past what you think an employer is,” because an internship or career for you in marketing, operations, or analytics could be there.

Most recently OCPD launched a 1-on-1 career coaching program, designed to provide 50 School of Business & Society and College of Arts and Sciences business majors with personalized guidance from industry experts in fields like finance, sales, accounting, and more.

If we haven’t convinced you yet, check out the videos below and hear from the legend himself, George Willis. Be sure to visit the Office of Career and Professional Development today!