Planning Your Career Path Checklist

This checklist is a list of opportunities students can take advantage of during their time at UCSC. Click to find more information about your year.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Transfer Students

If you would like to discuss and plan a path suited specifically to you, meet with a Career Coach and have a discussion about your interests and path. Start by reviewing possible majors

First Year

  • Visit Career Success and discover what services are available.
  • Research majors by using the General Catalog and explore the “What Can I Do With This Major” tool.
  • Identify your personal and professional values, interests, and skills by taking one of our assessments.
  • Get involved with a student organization and search for volunteer opportunities in your fields of interest.
  • If you’re looking for part-time employment, search Handshake for on and off-campus employment.
  • View our events calendar to attend workshops and career fairs.

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Transfer Students

  • Visit Career Success (located on the 1st floor of Hahn) and find out what services are available.
  • Identify your personal and professional values, interests, and skills by taking one of our assessments.
  • Get involved with a student organization and search for volunteer opportunities in your fields of interest.
  • If you’re looking for part-time employment, search Handshake for on and off-campus employment.
  • Develop and solidify your relationships with faculty and talk with them about letters of recommendation.
  • Apply for an internship in your field of interest
  • Learn how to network effectively, create a LinkedIn profile, and conduct Informational Interviews to gain career information and expand your network.
  • Begin to research companies and industries through Informational Interviewing.
  • Visit the International Education Office (IEO) to consider study abroad programs.
  • Research graduate or professional school and admissions requirements and meet with a Career Adviser who specializes in your field of your interest.
  • Take a practice graduate school entrance exam (e.g., GRE, LSAT, MCAT).
  • Obtain a meaningful summer job or internship related to your major or career interests.
  • Prepare for interviews by identifying your relevant skills and interests from past and current experience and set up a mock interview with a Career Coach.
  • Extensively use both the Career Success’s job search tools and external job search resources.
  • Receive feedback on your LinkedIn profile from a Career Adviser and connect with the UCSC Alumni Group on LinkedIn.