Resources Students: Your Career Plan

The Career Development Office is committed to helping Marlboro College students achieve thier career goals through support, counseling, workshops and one-on-one attention. Our mission is to provide lifetime tools and skills for professional development, job search success, and above all- career satisfaction.

Four Year Plan

It’s never too early to start planning your career. Don’t wait until you are a senior to start thinking about your plan, visit the Career Center Office early and you will be well prepared BEFORE you leave Marlboro. Remember, we are here to help!

First Year

Ask yourself questions about your goals and what you want to do with your life.

Start a career file (often called a career portfolio) that includes names of contacts and records of your activities for the next four years. This might contain a list of committees you’ve served on, volunteer projects, research projects, and work experience.
Make an appointment with your career counselor and learn about which careers best match your personality.
Identify at least four skills employers want and plan how you will acquire these skills before graduation.
Draft your first résumé.
Talk to faculty, alumni, advisors and your career counselor about possible areas of study and careers.
Collect information on internships and summer jobs.
Consider volunteering to gain experience and to help build your résumé.
Participate in interviewing, résumé writing and other workshops.

Second Year

Research the employer or graduate school you are targeting.

Update your résumé and have it critiqued by your career counselor.
Consider an internship that relates to your career interests.
Explore at least three career options available to you through your field of study.
Start working on cover letter writing skills.
Attend on-campus career fairs, such as Marlboro College Career Day.
Identify organizations and associations in your interest area for shadowing opportunities and informational interviews.
Participate in interviewing, résumé writing and other workshops.

Third Year

Make decisions about what you want to do post-graduation.

Complete an internship in your area of interest.
Participate in interviewing, résumé writing and other workshops.
Practice interviewing skills.
Attend on-campus career fairs, such as Marlboro College Career Day.
Collect information on graduate entrance examinations. Determine if you need to take a graduate school entrance exam before beginning your senior year.
Complete at least three informational interviews in careers you want to explore. Shadow professionals in your fields of interest.
Research potential employers and talk to recent graduates and alumni in your area of study.
Network!
Begin to collect recommendations from previous or current employers.
Schedule an appointment with a career counselor and update your résumé.

Fourth Year

Your final destination: Job Search/Grad School Applications.

Develop an employer prospect list with contact names and addresses of organizations you are interested in pursuing.
Send résumés and cover letters.
Build your professional wardrobe.
Gather information on realistic salary expectations.
Continue to research potential employers and talk to recent graduates and alumni in your area of study.
Network!
Draft a cover letter that can be adapted for a variety of employers and have it critiqued.
Participate in interviewing workshops and practice interviews.
If applicable, take graduate school exams and complete applications.
Report acceptance of jobs or graduate school admission to Career Services.
Stay in touch with your career counselor to have your updated résumé reviewed.

Remember: Don’t leave campus without a professional résumé, cover letter and job search resources! Contact Desha Peacock, your career counselor, for assistance.