BSC Career Center

CAREER CENTER

CAREER ACTION PLAN

Roadmap to Success

Your Career Action Plan is a roadmap that will take you from Step 1 (exploring and choosing a career path) to Step 2 (gaining experience in your chosen career) to Step 3 (pursuing and obtaining a career opportunity). The Career Action Plan is an individualized checklist of activities and strategies that will empower you to achieve your career goals. You can use this checklist as a guideline for managing your own personal life plan. And feel free to adapt it to your unique situation.

Handshake/On-Line Database

Engage/BSC Social Media

Career Resource Handouts

Millennials in the Workplace

Career Videos

Stop Wishing, Start Doing

Career Philosophy|Foundation

Career Topics|Articles

How Successful People Think

Special Issues

What Should I Do With My Life?

Corporate Nightmare

EXPLORE
Freshman|Sophomore

This is the exploration phase in which you assess your personality and explore your options. Your objective during this first stage is to expose yourself to new experiences and meet new people. It is time to learn more about yourself and study the world around you. You should engage in tasks that help you identify your talents, passions, and values and begin the process of discovering your purpose in life. It is time to learn more about potential paths. You should engage in tasks that help you gather information and investigate a variety of possible directions. Your goal at the end of this stage is to develop your sense of direction.

--Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your coursework
--Learn about campus services, resources, and activities
--Talk to upperclassmen and gain advice about campus activities
--Meet with your career counselor to discuss your career and life goals
--Take a career test to assess your personality traits
--Explore extracurricular activities that are of interest to you
--Attend various social, cultural, and recreational events
--Participate in a volunteer community service project
--Talk with your resident advisor about your college experience
--Consider taking a course in something new to enrich your academic experience
--Engage in activities that foster self-discovery and allow you to meet new people
--Investigate campus clubs or organizations that are of interest to you
--Engage in activities that expose you to new ideas and unfamiliar territories
--Engage in activities that allow you to explore a wide variety of career options
--Meet with your professors to solicit insight about your college experience

Career Planning Resources

How to Find Your Passion

Careers by Major

Purpose and Passion

What Can I do With This Major?
Career Ship: Mapping Your Future

Career Exploration Tools

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Academic Invest: Discover Careers

How to Know Your Life Purpose

Candid Career

Self Reflection

Guide to Goal Setting

BSC Degrees and Programs

"Begin with the end in mind. Start with a clear understanding of your destination. Know where you are going so that you better understand where you are now, and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction."
-STEPHEN COVEY

"First, you have to have a goal. For, if you don't know where you are going, then any road will take you there -- and it won't really matter what you do with your life. In fact, if you don't clearly know where you are going in your life, you probably won't recognize it when you get there."
-WAITLEY & WITT

"I will go anywhere, provided it is forward."
-DAVID LIVINGSTONE

"Once a goal is set, the mind constantly monitors self-talk and environmental feedback, both positive and negative, making adjustments along the way in order to score the target. But, when the mind is programmed with vague expectations, or the goal is too far out of sight, the individual will wander aimlessly until he gives up in fatigue and frustration."
-WAITLEY & WITT

CAREER CENTER

Birmingham-Southern College

Box 549010 | Norton Campus Center, Suite 214

Office 205-226-4719 | Appointments 205-226-4717

EXPERIENCE
Sophomore|Junior

This is the experiential phase in which you begin researching your field of interest and gaining experience. This second stage should be devoted to professional development and career preparation. Your objective during this stage is to increase your sense of focus and solidify your career direction. It is time to expand your knowledge and improve your skills. You should participate in activities that validate and support your career goal and build your credibility. Your goal at the end of this stage is to be prepared.

--Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your major, minor and elective coursework
--Meet with your professors to discuss special projects and activities
--Meet with your career counselor to discuss your options and plans
--Attend career events, info sessions, fairs, and expos to gather information
--Learn about various occupations through publications and websites
--Talk to people who work in fields you are interested in and solicit their insight
--Engage in job shadowing of people and work settings you are interested in
--Learn how to write an effective resume and cover letter
--Learn how to prepare for a job interview
--Participate in a mock interview or interview practice session
--Attend career workshops and training sessions to enhance career preparation
--Get involved in extracurricular activities to build your experience and make contacts
--Join campus clubs or organizations that relate to your career path
--Participate in a volunteer community service project relevant to your interests or skills
--Engage in activities that test your skills and abilities
--Serve in a leadership role or in some capacity as an organizer, coordinator, or facilitator
--Establish mentor relationships with key people in your field of interest
--Obtain an internship to further explore and research your career options
--Conduct general job market research to learn more about your field of interest
--Research your graduate and professional school options
--Engage in activities that enhance your sense of focus and build your experience

Extracurricular Activities

Campus Clubs and Organizations

Your College Experience: Extracurricular Activities

College to Career Transition

Skills Employers Value

Career Topics|Articles

Handshake/On-Line Database

Engage/BSC Social Media

Student Government Association
Internship Opportunities
Service Learning
Leadership Studies
International Programs
E-Term/Contract Learning

EXCEL
Junior|Senior

This is the engagement or execution phase in which you organize your resources, apply strategy, and implement your plan. Your objective during this third stage is to finalize your plan and launch your campaign. It is time to gather the necessary resources and equip yourself for entry into the job market. In this stage you are encouraged to take control and initiate action. You should utilize strategies, techniques, and tools that will allow you to effectively manage your campaign and excel in your career. Your goal at the end of this final stage is to be confident and empowered so that you can pursue and obtain your goal.

--Meet with your academic advisor to discuss how your major relates to your career path
--Meet with your professors to discuss field-specific issues and key contacts
--Meet with your career counselor to organize your plans, tools, and strategies
--Attend career events, workshops, info sessions, fairs and expos to pursue opportunities
--Join a professional organization or group related to your career path
--Attend professional meetings, conferences or conventions
--Attend panels and other events to hear guest speakers discuss critical issues
--Engage in a special research project or practicum/clinical experience
--Obtain an internship to gain experience directly relevant to your career path
--Begin the graduate and professional school application process
--Request referrals, recommendations, and references from your professors
--Conduct detailed job market research to learn about specific employers in your field
--Build a prospect list of the companies and organizations you’d like to work for
--Learn effective networking, prospecting and follow-up techniques
--Learn how to effectively manage a job search campaign
--Learn about professional behavior, professional attire, etiquette, protocol and workplace issues
--Engage in activities that empower you to have more control and choice in the job market