Skip to section navigation Skip to main content

StudentFour-Year Planning Guide

In the table below we've listed some academic and career steps to help you progress through the next four years. Under each year are some suggested steps, as well as many links to a variety of career and academic services, publications, and other information. Click on your year below to find out what academic or career steps you should be taking. We also have a condensed, printer-friendly version in our Four-Year Planning Guide PDF.

Freshman

Academic Steps Career Steps
  • Consider attending FYI the summer before , or taking SUPP 101: Introduction to Higher Education
  • Consider the Honors Program
  • Take a variety of General Education courses to explore major
  • Seek Tutoring if you are struggling in a course
  • Visit Educational Access Services if you have a documented disability
  • Obtain a hard copy of your catalog
  • If you have decided on a major:
    1. View your currently declared major and assigned advisor on MAVzone
    2. Declare your major if it is undeclared
    3. Acquire and maintain a Program Sheet
    4. Visit your Faculty Advisor to guide you in Course Selection
  • If you are undecided about a major, the Advising Center Staff can assist you in registering for the next semester and with major exploration
  • Register in November or April for next semester--see the Registrar's site for Registration Dates & for more Scheduling Tips for help
  • Join student groups or clubs
  • Begin career exploration by visiting Career Services
  • Utilize career assessments, such as Choices CT & the Strong Interest Inventory to learn more about yourself
  • Choices CT: find out your career profile, and research careers, occupations and graduate schools
  • Strong Interest Inventory: identify interests, abilities, and values as they pertain to potential careers
  • Visit the Career Services page to learn about on-campus and off-campus job listings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, and more
  • To learn about career possibilities for different majors visit the What to do with a Major page
  • Attend Career Fairs to find out about part-time or summer employment and learn about employers and career possibilities
  • Use Optimal Resume to start creating a resume

Sophomore

Academic Steps Career Steps
  • Choices CT: find out your career profile, research careers and occupations as well as graduate schools
  • Strong Interest Inventory: identify interests, abilities, and values as they pertain to potential careers
  • Visit the Career Services page to learn about on-campus and off-campus job listings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, and more
  • Attend Career Fairs to find out about part-time or summer employment and learn about employers and career possibilities

Junior

Academic Steps Career Steps
  • Update your Resume: for assistance, attend a FREE Resume/Cover Letter Workshop
  • Or use the FREE Optimal Resume Service to create a professional resume
  • Use Choices CT to help research potential careers and post- baccalaureate educational options
  • To learn about career possibilities for different majors visit the What to do with a Major page
  • Research graduate or professional schools in your area of interest by meeting with your Faculty Advisor and by using Choices CT
  • Research specific companies that would be interesting working sites after graduation or promising internship possibilities--see our Useful Links Job Seekers page
  • Visit the Career Services page to learn about on-campus and off-campus job listings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, and more
  • Attend Career Fairs to learn about employers, internships, and career possibilities
  • Prepare for Career Fairs by attending the Employer Panel and Employment readiness Workshop

Senior

Academic Steps Career Steps
  • Continue to take on a leadership role in student organizations or clubs within your academic area
  • Research graduate or professional schools in your area of interest by meeting with your Faculty Advisor and by using Choices CT
  • Use MAVzone to access your transcripts and update your Program Sheet(s)
  • Get the appropriate Graduation forms from the Office of the Registrar
  • The semester prior to graduation meet with your major and/or minor Faculty Advisor(s) to have your Program Sheet(s) and other documents signed and submitted for graduation
  • Prepare and arrange for appropriate testing (GRE, MCAT, CPA exam, etc.)
  • Register in November or April for next semester--see the Registrar's site for Registration Dates & for more Scheduling Tips for help
  • Research specific companies that would be interesting working sites after graduation or promising internship possibilities--see our Useful Links Job Seekers page
  • Pursue projects and activities within your academic area--see your Faculty Advisor for more information
  • Learn about job opportunities by visiting the Career Services page
  • Prepare resume and cover letters for distribution--specific to each employer
  • Use the FREE Optimal Resume Service to create a professional resume
  • Ask for letters of recommendation from professors, Faculty Advisors, and/ or employers
  • Attend Career Fairs to learn about employers and career possibilities
  • Prepare for Career Fairs by attending the Employer Panel and Career Workshops