The objective of the Career Readiness Activity Matrix is to elevate the importance of student career success into strategic plans and measurable outcomes; to increase engagement and coordination between career development, faculty, and executive mentors (alumni, executives in residence, and Business Council); and to prepare students with “career readiness competencies” and the ability to articulate them to employers.
1. Identify Interests and Career Goals
Phase 1
Activities
- Meet with academic advisor to discuss academic plan and potential major
- Complete Career Assessment (Focus 2)
- Attend Focus 2 review workshop to complete career map
Results
- Academic Plan
- Career Map to guide next steps
Phase 2
Activities
- Get involved with a student organization
- Talk to faculty about career options in your major
- Declare a major
- Explore complimentary minor(s)
- Update academic plan
- Fulfill experiential education requirement with internships, study abroad opportunities, and courses outside classroom
Results
- Declare a major/minor, updated academic plan
- Experiential education requirement
Phase 3
Activities
- Complete internship forms if eligible for course credit
- Ensure graduation course requirements are being met
- If attending graduate school, sign up for standard practice tests (GRE< GMAT)
Results
- Confirmed path to graduation
2. Research Relevant Industries and Roles
Phase 1
Activities
- Attend career informational events on different industries and job roles (i.e. meet the financial services firms)
- Attend guest speaker events sponsored by student organizations
- Utilize O*Net to research occupations
Results
- Expand professional network by collecting business cards and connecting on LinkedIn
- Develop better understanding of occupations, salaries and employment outlook
Phase 2
Activities
- Attend career informational events on different industries and job roles (i.e. meet the financial services firms)
- Interview executive mentors to explore different industries, companies and roles
- Attend Career Trek
- Participate in Intern for a Day program
Results
- Research on different industries, companies, and roles
- Follow companies of interest on LinkedIn and Handshake
- Join relevant LinkedIn groups
Phase 3
Activities
- Seek input from network of practicing professionals
- Conduct informational interviews to gather information about companies, career paths, and advice.
Results
- Focus on industries, companies, and roles of most interest
3. Develop Professional Self / Brand
Phase 1
Activities
- Develop initial resumé and submit for review by career coach on Handshake
- Create initial Handshake profile
- Create LinkedIn profile
Results
- Draft resumé
- Initial Handshake profile
- Initial LinkedIn profile
Phase 2
Activities
- Refine resumé
- Update profile on Handshake
- Use Handshake to search for internships in your field of interest
- Update and refine LinkedIn profile
- Refine social media presence to reflect “professional self”
- Refine communication and interpersonal skills
- Develop professional work habits
- Accept and incorporate feedback
Results
- Updated resumé
- Updated Handshake profile
- Updated LinkedIn profile
- Professional Headshot photo(s)
Phase 3
Activities
- Tailor Handshake, LinkedIn, and other online job sites to search for specific job opportunities and submit resume to employers
- Refine communication and interpersonal skills
Results
- Resume and LinkedIn profile tailored to industry, company, role pursuing
4. Strengthen Job Search Skills
Phase 1
Activities
- Participate in Career Fair and related career events to experience interactions and explore industries, companies, roles
- Expand personal and professional networks
Results
- Career Fair retrospective
- LinkedIn connections
Phase 2
Activities
- Participate in Career Fair
- Meet with career development coach and executive mentor to discuss career goals
- Build personal and professional network and relationships
- Start building job search strategy
- Develop interview skills and use Big Interview tool to practice
Results
- Career goals
- Career Fair list of prospective companies and roles
- Job search strategy
- Interviewing experience
Phase 3
Activities
- Identify faculty and professional references for job applications
- Tailored interview practice (industry, role)
- Attend practice interview event hosted by Career Development
Results
- Academic references
- Interviewing experience tailored to industry, company, and role(s) pursuing
5. Gain Experience
Phase 1
Activities
- Participate in Career Fair and related career events to experience interactions and explore industries, companies, roles
- Expand personal and professional networks
Results
- Build skills and experience for resumé
Phase 2
Activities
- Fulfill experiential education requirement with internships, study abroad opportunities, and projects outside classroom
- Pursue an internship opportunity in your field of interest
- Join professional associations related to major
- Consider a student leadership role to enhance skills and experience
Results
- Experiential education credits
- Internship experience
- Extracurricular experience
Phase 3
Activities
- Build upon prior internship with industry/company of interest
- Complete an internship in a different industry/company of interest
Results
- Additional internship/job experience
6. Launch Career
Phase 1
Activities
- Connect with Monmouth University alumni
- Connect with personal and professional network
Results
- Connected professional network
Phase 2
Activities
- Leverage personal and professional network
- Join professional/industry associations related to major and career goals
- Negotiating an offer
Results
- Active job opportunities in career of interest
Phase 3
Activities
- Secure job offer
- Negotiate offer
Results
- Accept job offer