Where to Start? Building Career Success
Ideally you should begin your personal career development as soon as you start at UMass Amherst, when so many academic and extra-curricular opportunities are available to you. This is the easiest time to learn what kinds of jobs and careers you might want to pursue after graduation. If you wait until you’re a senior, your career exploration will have to compete with senior year projects and events. If you wait until after graduation, you’ll have to juggle career exploration with your need to find a job to pay your rent and loans.
However, if you’re much closer to graduation, there is no need to panic—it’s never too late! The staff at Career Services has many resources to help you at this stage as well.
Try it All - Be open to new experiences
- Join student organizations
- Play intramural sports
- Volunteer
- Try a variety of General Education courses
- Consider all of your major and minor options
- Work at several different part-time jobs to explore the kinds of work you like.
(Avoid keeping just one focus or one summer job for years unless you are already certain of your career goals.) - Do internships and co-ops
- Take part in a faculty research project.
Mix and match all of the above.
Learn from Your Experiences
When you’ve tried something new, stop and evaluate.
“I loved it!” — What did you love about it? What made it great? Find more of the same or try something slightly different to broaden your experience.
“It was OK.” — What would have made it better? What was missing? What parts did you like? Consider something different next time—an opportunity that includes the elements you enjoyed, and avoids those you didn’t.
“I hated it!” — What did you hate? What was missing? What didn’t “click”? Start fresh with a completely different experience, avoiding the negative elements of the last one.
Consider Your Next Step
Choose your next exploration by your reaction to the first. Career Services can help.
Make an appointment with a career advisor to discuss the possibilities.
Take advantage of our self-assessment tools.
Research specific careers.
Interview professionals about their fields.
Put it all together and find an interesting new thread with new opportunities.
Repeat
Join clubs. Volunteer. Do internships and co-ops. Choose a different part-time job. Build relationships with faculty. Take advantage of study abroad and domestic exchange programs. Join a professional association. Attend the Graduate and Professional School Fair.
Work with career advisors and use Career Services resources to narrow your interests and find the right career direction.
