How Do I...
Make the best use of the Career Development Center during my four years at Washington and Lee?
Break down your career search by year using our 4-Year Plan:
First-Years
the Career Development Center invites your early participation. Most first-year students find winter term a valuable time for a first visit.
- Discuss possible majors with your faculty advisor and upper-level classmates. Seek diversity in courses to help identify your interests.
- Consider taking the online Self-Assessments and meeting with a Career Development Center advisor to discuss your interests.
- Participate in campus and/ or volunteer activities to further explore your interests, abilities and values.
- Meet with a Career Development Center advisor to discuss and develop your summer plans and create a resume.
- Visit careers.wlu.edu and explore online career resources like What Can I Do With A Major In...
- Visit us for a one-on-one demonstration of W&L JobLink, Liberal Arts Career Network, and other job and internship search resources.
[Click for First-Year PDF]
Sophomores & Juniors
These two years of your college experience allow for further career exploration.
- Learn how your preferences, interests and personal qualities relate to careers by taking the MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory or by using FOCUS.
- Gather more information about careers by using online resources or talking with alumni and professionals. Suggestions include but are not limited to the VAULT Guides and Going Global.
- Update your resume for summer job/internship applications. Emphasize new skills developed in the classroom, volunteer work, and student organizations.
- Update your profile on W&L JobLink and upload your revised resume.
- Make an appointment to discuss resources for finding internships. Explore opportunities in the Liberal Arts Career Network (LACN) internship listings.
- Learn about job search strategies for your field of interest and formulate plans for career activities during your senior year.
- Practice job search skills, including interviewing and networking. Schedule a videotaped practice interview.
- Discuss with your faculty advisor available fellowships and graduate or professional programs and the requirements for each.
Seniors
Your senior year is a time to reflect on your skills and interests and to successfully convey these to potential employers or graduate programs. Attend programs designed to assist you with the transition to life after W&L.
- Attend the Senior Meeting.
- Meet with a member of the Career Development Center staff to clarify your career goals or plans for continued study and formulate a timetable and strategies to achieve your goals.
- Update your profile and upload your revised resume on W&L JobLink. Search and apply for jobs.
- Learn how the on-campus recruitment program fits into your job search plan. Companies will interview on campus beginning in October.
- Apply to take part in off-campus interviewing days, Selective Liberal Arts Consortium (SLAC) and Big Apple Recruiting Consortium (BARC).
- If you are considering graduate school, discuss your options with your faculty early during Fall Term. Take the appropriate qualifying tests for your discipline. Submit applications during Fall Term.
- Use the W&L alumni network in your job or graduate school search. Register with W&L's online community, Colonnade Connections, to find alumni who may offer advice for your search.
[Click for PDF]
