Map Your Plan

Hidden Rule #1 
Career planning starts earlier than most students think. 

Employers expect students to begin exploring through classes, campus experiences, volunteering, and conversations long before they apply for internships.

Future First helps you recognize how these experiences build skills, shape your interests, and connect to future career pathways.

Map Your Plan

Develop a plan to explore on-campus opportunities and prepare for future career decisions. 

• Select experience employers value using the Career Adventure Checklist (document).
• Select skills to build that employers value using the Career Readiness Skills (external page).
• Set a timeline using the four steps of the Future First guide.
• 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 our reflection framework to begin to clarify your direction. 

• Learn about Cultivating Your Professional Identity in College (external video).
• Reflect on how you can contribute to an organization using our Professional Brand Template (document).
• Introduce yourself to professors and professionals using the professional brand template.
• Build your professional look at the Career Clothing Closet.