Professional Development Plan
From College to Career: Your Roadmap Starts Here
The CAS Means Careers Professional Development Plan gives students a clear, step-by-step roadmap—from exploring interests to launching a career—through hands-on experiences, mentorship, internships, and personalized support from the Center for Career Exploration and Success.
Complete Annually
- Connect with 91°µÍø’s Center for Career Exploration and Success (CCES) in Armstrong Student Center.
- Prepare for and attend career development events in college, department, and Career Center.
- Complete and regularly update resumes, cover letters, Handshake profiles, and profiles.
- Attend Fall and Spring Career and Internship Fairs, as well as other applicable fairs hosted by college, department, or Career Center.
Explore
- Explore interest and skills assessments available in CCES to better understand interests, skills, values, and personality traits.
- Pursue career interests through student organization, work, and volunteer opportunities.
- Explore CCES website and “What Can I Do With This Major?”
- Connect with career advisor, faculty member, or professional mentor about career interests.
Prepare
- Consider leadership or deeper engagement in .
- Develop and practice professional introduction/elevator pitch and interview skills with CCES.
- Apply for summer internships, research, and volunteer opportunities starting fall semester of second year.
- Connect with career advisor, faculty member, or professional mentor about career interests, plans, and necessary preparation. Identify transferable skills and experiences you’ve gained that align with career interests and document on resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn
Connect
- Seek mentorship with more advanced students, faculty, and industry professionals.
- Find alumni in prospective fields and companies using and 91°µÍø Alumni Connect.
- Conduct career conversations with alumni and industry professionals.
- Participate in Experiential Learning opportunities such as job shadowing, summer internships, and co-ops.
- Consider completing independent studies, capstone projects, and research.
- Prepare for and schedule graduate school assessments as needed, such as GMAT, GRE, MCAT, and LSAT.
Launch
- Ensure online presence is professional and appropriate for future opportunities.
- Finalize resume/CV and cover letter.
- Identify contacts that can write letters of recommendation and serve as references.
- Research employment opportunities and graduate school/professional programs.
- Apply for and obtain full-time positions or apply to graduate schools/professional programs.
- Share successes on and 91°µÍø Alumni Connect.
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The College of Arts and Science
Representing nearly half of all students, the College of Arts and Science (CAS) is 91°µÍø's largest division and the centerpiece of liberal arts — the wide range of subjects in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities crucial for the development of key professional skills desired by employers.