{"id":818,"date":"2022-06-17T13:25:08","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T13:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/?page_id=818"},"modified":"2026-01-21T21:04:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T21:04:29","slug":"career-planning-cycle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/students\/career-planning-cycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-975d47a6d20a212e5a62407ed3922073\" style=\"font-size:20px\"><strong><em>Career Services is here for you throughout your journey at Tarleton State University. We want to walk along side you to help you develop into an Elite Level Candidate for your future careers!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:22px\">How to start planning for your career:<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/07\/Career-Success-Timeline--791x1024.png\" alt=\"Career Success Timeline Freshman through Senior Year.\" class=\"wp-image-3071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/07\/Career-Success-Timeline--791x1024.png 791w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/07\/Career-Success-Timeline--232x300.png 232w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/07\/Career-Success-Timeline--309x400.png 309w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/07\/Career-Success-Timeline--768x994.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/07\/Career-Success-Timeline--1187x1536.png 1187w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/07\/Career-Success-Timeline-.png 1545w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:22px\">Career Cycle Phases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:16px\">A personalized career plan provides students with an individualized career planning experience that is adaptable to their specific needs. This tailored planning allows for structured guidance and action items that are applicable to all students, regardless of classification, in an effort to remain inherently flexible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column better-border has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#eaebec\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full no-padding-bottom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5198.jpg\" alt=\"Two men discussing at a job fair, one holding a tablet.\" class=\"wp-image-817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5198.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5198-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5198-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Self-Exploration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Self Evaluation and Career Planning<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can assist you with resources to help with anything from deciding your major, researching careers within your major, finding a part-time job while you are in school, to preparing for your first (or next) career position outside of Tarleton State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What To Do:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn\/Explore<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Undecided about your major? Take advantage of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/students\/focus2career\/\">Focus2Career<\/a>!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/eabnavigate\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/eabnavigate\/\">EAB <\/a>to sign up for a Career Coaching Appointment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you like your major, maybe it&#8217;s time to learn about your major&#8217;s requirements and prerequisites to achieve your career goal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check out the Career Services website and our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/students\/student-resources\/\">helpful resources<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Browse through Tarleton&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/majorinfo\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/majorinfo\/\">advising guides<\/a> to learn more about the courses and requirements for each degree plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.tarleton.edu\/courses\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/catalog.tarleton.edu\/courses\/\">TSU Catalog-Course Index<\/a> to read a course description before ever taking the class!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/advising\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/advising\/\">Meet with your advisor<\/a> and finalize your major selection based on your interests and values.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column better-border is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full no-padding-bottom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5219.jpg\" alt=\"Tarleton State University logo with a T over Texas.\" class=\"wp-image-786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5219.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5219-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5219-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Career Investigation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning &amp; Gaining Career Experiences<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have explored a variety of majors and narrowed your focus it is time to begin adding to your skills tool belt through part-time work, involvement in campus organizations, volunteer work, and skill-building activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What To Do:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Career Resources<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Narrow down your career options to find what matches your interests and values.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Undecided about your major? Take advantage of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/students\/focus2career\/\">Focus2Career<\/a>!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Build Transferable Skills<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Begin to build or continue building your&nbsp;resume.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider career-related activities (i.e. summer jobs, part-time jobs, job fairs, volunteer work, internships), start with &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/app.joinhandshake.com\/login\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Handshake<\/a>, and also consider getting involved in professional or major-related <a href=\"https:\/\/texansync.tarleton.edu\/organizations\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/texansync.tarleton.edu\/organizations\">student organizations<\/a> on campus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider adding a <a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.tarleton.edu\/academic_minors\/index.html\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/catalog.tarleton.edu\/academic_minors\/index.html\">minor <\/a>to your degree or participating in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/studyabroad\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/studyabroad\/\">study abroad<\/a> to gain more experience and become well-rounded to employers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Reality Testing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Expand your skills with job simulations on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theforage.com\/landing\/tarleton-state-university-dc8zq\/forage-job-simulations-o4c7\">Texan Career Prep Platform -hosted by Forage<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t wait until your last semester to begin job searching, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/students\/job-fairs\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/students\/job-fairs\/\">attend job fairs<\/a> and make meaningful connections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask individuals&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/07\/Informational-Interview-Questions-and-Reflection-Sheet.docx\">Informational Interviewing questions<\/a>&nbsp;to help you learn more about your career interests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find Micro-Internships on Parker-Dewy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column better-border is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full no-padding-bottom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5159.jpg\" alt=\"Job fair table with recruitment sign and brochures.\" class=\"wp-image-816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5159.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5159-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Career-Services-Spring-Job-Fair_5159-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Develop &amp; Communicate Your Brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Put Yourself Out There<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What To Do:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s never too early to begin creating your professional brand, which includes things like your resume, interviewing skills, e-portfolios, cover letters, social media etiquette, elevator pitches, and much more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start now by learning how to communicate your brand to employers and others around you to build your network!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plan your job-search campaign.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/help\/linkedin\/answer\/a554351\/how-do-i-create-a-good-linkedin-profile-?lang=en\">tips on developing a LinkedIn profile<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean up your social media profiles to leave potential employers with a good impression of you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Begin evaluating your postgraduate choices <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/\">(graduate school <\/a>or employment).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attend&nbsp;job fairs&nbsp;and network with employers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/quinncia\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/quinncia\/\">Quinncia<\/a> to screen your resume for feedback AND conduct a mock interview using artificial intelligence!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Partake in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/students\/internship-resources\/\">internships<\/a>&nbsp;or volunteer experiences find some of these on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/app.joinhandshake.com\/login\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Handshake<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compile reference letters, awards, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column better-border has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#eaebec\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full no-padding-bottom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Business-Professional-Meeting_1.jpg\" alt=\"Three professionals shaking hands in a bright office setting.\" class=\"wp-image-815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Business-Professional-Meeting_1.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Business-Professional-Meeting_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2022\/06\/Business-Professional-Meeting_1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next Destination Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Deploy Personal Brand and Transition Into Workplace<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What To Do:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduation is just around the corner. Waiting until your last semester to begin \u201cpreparing\u201d for life after college is not the best way to plan for success.<br>Whether you are planning to start a new career, continue in your current job, apply to attend graduate\/professional school, or another worthwhile adventure, you will need to make plans now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may need tips on where to search for jobs, salary negotiation, and other relevant questions about \u201clife after college\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you have decided to pursue <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/graduate\/\">Graduate school, <\/a>schedule entrance exams and begin the application process with a couple of different institutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assume responsibility for finding employment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make a list of potential employers, research companies, network, and interview<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider and review various job offers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Graduate! Congratulations!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Career Services is here for you throughout your journey at Tarleton State University. We want to walk along side you to help you develop into an Elite Level Candidate for &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":580,"parent":996,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-818","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/author\/kyle-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3\/","display_name":"kyle"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 4 years ago","modified":"Updated 3 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on June 17, 2022","modified":"Updated on January 21, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on June 17, 2022 1:25 pm","modified":"Updated on January 21, 2026 9:04 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=818"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3347,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/818\/revisions\/3347"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/996"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/careerservices\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}