Academic Plan
Attending Creighton University is an investment in your future. Dividends depend primarily on how you use your time. The to-do list is designed to help you get the most out of your college experience and prepare for your future.
Freshman Year: Who am I?
- Take time to get to know yourself, what subjects you most enjoy, activities you like to participate in, and assess your interests, values and abilities.
- Visit counselors in the CAP (Career & Academic Planning) Program to discuss career inventories such as FOCUS and the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS).
- Develop rapport with your Academic Advisor. Ask about majors/minors, electives, general education requirements, and career options.
- Attend annual Major/Minor Exploration Fair.
- Attend annual Creighton Career Fairs.
- Join a campus organization and/or get involved in community activities.
- Begin work on an Academic Plan.
- Explore jobs that are local, national and global.
- Seek resources describing employers, careers and occupations:
- CollegeGrad.com
- JobWeb
- Career Library
- Career Profile Search
- Fastest Growing Occupations, 2000-2010
- Job Outlook
- Mapping Your Future – Career Planning Guide
- MonsterTRAK’s Major to Career Converter
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- U.S. Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics
- For additional resources go to Career & Major Exploration Resources
Sophomore Year: What is my passion?
- Continue to visit with counselors in the CAP (Career & Academic Planning) Program to discuss career assessments such as the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS), StrengthsQuest, and CareerLeader.
- Review Academic Plan with advisor.
- Decide on a major/minor (if you haven’t already done so) by the end of sophomore year and finalize Academic Plan.
- Attend annual Major/Minor Exploration Fair.
- Attend annual Creighton Career Fair.
- Identify at least five marketable skills you possess and five skills you hope to develop.
- Create resume, cover letter and a list of references.
- Register with Jobs4Jays to search for internships.
- Explore internship opportunities in the community to gain crucial experience for your resume.
- Consider working part-time during the school year and/or full-time during the summer.
- Review job postings on the Career Center website and job board.
- Develop a network of career contacts such as professional organizations in your chosen career field.
Junior Year: Career Preparation
- Visit with counselors in the CAP (Career & Academic Planning) Program to discuss career assessments such as the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS), StrengthsQuest, and CareerLeader.
- Integrate self-assessment and career information to evaluate goals and outcomes.
- Research graduate or professional schools (if applicable), apply early (one year in advance) and apply for graduate, teaching, and/or research assistantships.
- Determine application deadlines. You may need to apply over the summer.
- Study and take graduate school admission tests.
- Begin researching careers, employers, and industries using the Vault Online Career Library located in the Career Center library and on our website.
- Update resume, cover letter, and references as you continue to expand your skills and experience.
- Upload your resume into Jobs4Jays.
- Attend annual Creighton Career Fairs.
- Attend job search, interview, internship and resume workshops.
- Learn more about employers of interest through informational interviews and the Creighton Career Alumni Network.
- Continue to gain work experience through part-time, full-time, summer employment and/or internship.
Senior Year: Career Launch
- Finalize graduate school applications.
- Visit graduate schools.
- Schedule a practice interview at the Career Center in preparation for professional school interviews.
- Attend Career Center job search, resume writing and interviewing workshops.
- Tailor and finalize your resume and cover letter.
- Obtain letters of recommendation or compile a list of names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 references.
- Develop a job search plan and keep a file on all employers.
- Attend annual Creighton Career Fairs.
- Review on-campus recruiting and resume referral procedures.
- Sign up for on-campus interviews through Jobs4Jays and schedule a practice interview with a counselor in the Career Center.
- Use the job search techniques available in the Resource Manual and on the Career Center website.
- Continue to learn about employers through informational interviews and the Creighton Career Alumni Network.
- Inform the Career Center of your employment /graduate school status.