Congratulations—you made it through your first year of college! Even though graduation still probably feels like a long ways off, now is the perfect time to start thinking about careers and preparing yourself for the job market. Follow this top 5 list to stay ahead of the game during your second year:

  1. Explore majors and/or careers. If you are uncertain about what you want to major in, your sophomore year is a great time to do some in-depth exploration. You don't want to wait until the last minute and then be rushed to make this decision. Give yourself enough time to really learn more about your own interests, strengths, and values, as well as learning about all of the majors CSU has to offer. Make an appointment with one of our Career Counselors to help you through this decision-making process.
  2. Create a Resume. Even if you're not looking for a job right now, it's never a bad time to start working on your resume. Your resume will be your main tool to apply for jobs, so you want to make sure it is perfect. Use the Career Center's new resume software, OptimalResume, to create a resume that will stand above the crowd! http://www.career.colostate.edu/students/services/optimalResume.html. Once you have a first draft completed, have a Career Counselor critique it for you to make sure you're on the right track.
  3. Attend the Career Expo, September 18-20, and February 6-7. Again, you're probably thinking, "but I'm not looking for a job yet!" That's ok! The Career Expo is a great way to see what types of employers and career opportunities are out there. Many of the employers will also be hiring for internship positions. The Expo is another resource you can use to fully explore your options if you are having trouble deciding what direction you want to go.
  4. Sign up for CareerRAM. CareerRAM is the Career Center's online job posting system that is exclusively for CSU students and alumni. There are listings for both internships and full-time positions in a wide variety of career areas. You can also post your resume, sign up for on-campus interviews with employers, find out about upcoming Career Center events, and access CareerRAM Network—an online database of alumni who WANT you to contact them with career questions you have.
  5. Get Involved. Joining a club or organization on campus, working a part-time job, or volunteering are all great ways to explore areas that you are interested, plus they are a great way to meet people and make new friends. Being involved and holding leadership positions are also great resume builders. Employers like to see that you have had a variety of experiences beyond attending class and getting good grades.

Remember; don't wait until right before graduation to think about career options. By planning ahead and taking the time to really explore all that there is, you will be in a better position to find a job in a field that you can truly enjoy.