Small steps now lead to big moves later.
For First-Year Freshmen • First-Year Transfer • First-Year Graduate Students
Get Started
Make Your Career Plan
Build a plan to explore opportunities on campus and prepare for future career decisions.
- Select goals using the Career Adventure Checklist (document).
- Connect your experiences to Career Readiness Skills (external page).
- Use the four steps of Future First to set a timeline
- Draft your plan with the Career Plan Template (document).
Activate Handshake
Explore events, jobs, and employer connections.
- Create your Handshake account.
- Set your career interests. (If unsure, use What Can I Do with This Major.)
- Upload a professional photo taken at the Career Photo Booth.
- Attend events labeled guidance.
- Research employers that recruit college students.
Start Your Professional Brand
Use simple tools to clarify your direction.
- Reflect on your Community Cultural Wealth (external page) to identify your work strengths.
- Take the Work Values Matcher (external page) to reflect on what motivates you at work
- Define how you want to contribute using the Professional Brand Template (document).
- Introduce yourself to professors and professionals using your brand statement.
- Prepare your professional look at the Career Clothing Closet.
Get Support
Career Guides
Explore more details and resources in the Career Exploration & Planning guide.
Student Appointments
Meet with a career success coach for a 45-minute appointment to explore options and plan next steps.
- Choose Career Exploration & Planning in Navigate LA
- Select Student Life & Wellness to find the Career Center
Follow us on Instagram (external page)
Call: 323.343.3237
Email: [email protected]
Visit: Between the Student Health Center and the University Gym
Hours: M-Th, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.