Planning Your Career Path Checklist

This is a suggested checklist of opportunities students can take advantage of during their time at UC Santa Cruz. You are not required to have already completed the items from previous years. We know everyone will be at a different career preparation level that may not align with the academic years provided below. 

We provide career services, including coaching, during the summer and spring break. 

First Year

• View the Career Success website to discover what services are available.
• Visit our peer drop-in hours (no appointment needed) to learn how Career Success can help you at your career stage.
• Complete your Handshake profile. Handshake is the platform you will use to schedule coaching appointments, apply for jobs, register for career events, opt-in to industry newsletters, and access career resources. 
• Identify your personal and professional values, interests, and skills by taking a Focus 2 assessment.
• Explore the “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore career paths by majors. Although this resource focuses on careers by common majors, your major doesn't limit your career options. 
• Explore majors at UC Santa Cruz by using the General Catalog.
• Work with your college counselor to start mapping out classes to ensure you meet the prerequisites for your interested major.
• Create or update your resume and seek feedback from our peer coaches during drop-in hours.
• Create or update your LinkedIn profile to expand your network. See the LinkedIn Learning page to learn how to access LinkedIn Learning for free to help you create a great LinkedIn profile and develop career readiness skills.
• Update your voicemail message as recruiters or hiring managers may call you for jobs/internships that you apply to. 
• View our events calendar to attend workshops and career fairs.

Second Year

• See items above. It is okay if you have not already completed those before your second year.
• If you’re still not sure which major to declare or are considering changing your major, view our Choosing a Major page for resources to help you.
• Prioritize your academics as your GPA will be an important factor for some internships and graduate and professional school applications.
• Consider taking on more responsibility in a student organization, your college, or as a volunteer.
• Begin searching for on- and off-campus jobs, internships, or research opportunities. Many competitive opportunities have their application periods in the summer or fall before the expected start date. Yes, that means that you may need to apply up to a year in advance for some positions.
• Search Handshake for on-campus employment. All on-campus jobs require you to apply via Handshake.
• Get familiar with career readiness skills (transferable skills) and learn how to develop them.
• Create or update your LinkedIn profile and begin networking with UC Santa Cruz alumni. This is a great tool to continue your career exploration. 
• Use the photo booth in the Career Success office (125 Hahn) to update your LinkedIn profile. 
• Visit Global Engagement to learn more about study abroad programs.
• Schedule a coaching appointment with a Career Success staff member to help you discuss any of the above. 

Third Year & Transfer Students

• See items above. It is okay if you have not already completed those before your third year or as you transfer to UC Santa Cruz.
• Opt-in to our Career Industry Newsletters to receive industry-specific resources. 
• Search for part-time jobs, internships, or research opportunities. Many competitive opportunities have their application periods in the summer or fall before the expected start date. Yes, that means that you may need to apply up to a year in advance for some positions.
• Optimize your resume by requesting free access to Jobscan premium. See the instructions on our Resume page.
• Use BigInterview to prepare for interviews.
• Use the career clothing closet to help you dress for interviews or other professional events. You get to keep the clothes.
• Update your LinkedIn profile and begin networking with UC Santa Cruz alumni. Networking is crucial because most interns and employees who are hired are referred by someone who is already at the company. 
• Attend career workshops and career fairs to connect directly with recruiters.
• If you are considering graduate school or professional school
  • Start getting familiar with graduate or professional school requirements and the application process. You typically have to apply for programs approximately one year before you anticipate starting the program.
  •  Begin or continue to develop relationships with your professors. They are a great resource to obtain a research position and a letter of recommendation for graduate/professional school.
  • See if the program(s) you are considering require you to take an entrance exam (e.g., GRE, LSAT, MCAT).
• Schedule a coaching appointment with a Career Success staff member to discuss your career strategy. 

Fourth Year

• See items above. It is okay if you have not already completed those before your fourth year.
• If you are considering graduate school and you want to start the fall after you graduate with your bachelor's degree, you will want to apply during the fall quarter of your last year at UC Santa Cruz. We only encourage you to apply at this point if you feel you are a strong candidate. It is common to take gap/experience years before applying to graduate and professional schools.
• Research companies you are considering for full-time jobs. 
• Continue to network on LinkedIn and schedule informational meetings with UC Santa Cruz alumni and professionals in the industry you are interested in. Networking is crucial because most interns and employees who are hired are referred by someone who is already at the company. 
• Use referrals from your network to apply for full-time jobs. Some competitive positions may require you to apply up to a year in advance.  
• Research market trends and salary expectations for your industry and career of interest.
• Attend career workshops and career fairs to connect directly with recruiters. 
• Schedule a coaching appointment with a Career Success staff member to discuss your career strategy.

Alumni have access to career coaching for up to two years after graduation.