The Career Center 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!

How to start planning for your career:

Career Journey Timeline

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.

Students learning about resumes.

Explore

Self Evaluation and Career Planning

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.

What To Do:

Learn/Explore

  • Undecided about your major? Take advantage of Focus2Career!
  • Use EAB to sign up for a Career Coaching Appointment
  • If you like your major, maybe it’s time to learn about your major’s requirements and prerequisites to achieve your career goal.
  • Browse through Tarleton’s advising guides to learn more about the courses and requirements for each degree plan.
  • Use the TSU Catalog-Course Index to read a course description before ever taking the class!
  • Meet with your advisor and finalize your major selection based on your interests and values.
Two men discussing at a job fair, one holding a tablet.

Build

Learning & Gaining Career Experiences

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.

What To Do:

Build Transferable Skills

  • Begin to build or continue building your resume.
  • Consider career-related activities (i.e. summer jobs, part-time jobs, job fairs, volunteer work, internships), start with  Handshake, and also consider getting involved in professional or major-related student organizations on campus.
  • Consider adding a minor to your degree or participating in study abroad to gain more experience and become well-rounded to employers.

Reality Testing

Job fair table with recruitment sign and brochures.

Apply

Put Yourself Out There

What To Do:

It’s 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!

Start now by learning how to communicate your brand to employers and others around you to build your network!

  • Plan your job-search campaign.
  • Check out tips on developing a LinkedIn profile.
  • Clean up your social media profiles to leave potential employers with a good impression of you.
  • Begin evaluating your postgraduate choices (graduate school or employment).
  • Attend job fairs and network with employers.
  • Use Quinncia to screen your resume for feedback AND conduct a mock interview using artificial intelligence!
  • Participate in internships or volunteer experiences find some of these on Handshake.
  • Compile reference letters, awards, etc.
Three professionals shaking hands in a bright office setting.

Launch & Advance

Deploy Personal Brand and Transition Into Workplace

What To Do:

Graduation is just around the corner. Waiting until your last semester to begin “preparing” for life after college is not the best way to plan for success.
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!

You may need tips on where to search for jobs, salary negotiation, and other relevant questions about “life after college”.

  • If you have decided to pursue Graduate school, schedule entrance exams and begin the application process with a couple of different institutions.
  • Assume responsibility for finding employment.
  • Make a list of potential employers, research companies, network, and interview
  • Consider and review various job offers.
  • Graduate! Congratulations!