5-Step Career Development Model

The Career Coaching team will work closely with you using our comprehensive 5-step Career Development model.  This model provides you and your coach with a framework for assessing yourself, exploring career paths, and setting you up for success in both academic and co-curricular opportunities to ultimately develop lifelong career management skills. Career decision making is a process and we are here to support you every step of the way from your first day on campus, through graduation and beyond.

CEC Five Step Career Model

First-Years | STEP 1: ASSESSMENT

Get to know yourself

Begin to identify your values, interests, skills, personality traits and career satisfiers in order to identify the ingredients of a good career “fit”:

Sophomores | STEP 2: EXPLORATION

Explore and research career possibilities

Learn the connections between academic programs, experiential learning, previous professional experiences, and careers:

  • Conduct career research and gather information from valuable online resources. Gather information on different fields, industries and companies
  • Decide on a major and learn what career paths a major can offer
  • Conduct informational interviews with people in fields that interest you
  • Explore opportunities to gain relevant work experience, such as internships, summer jobs, or volunteer work
  • Attend career and networking events

Juniors | STEP 3: PREPARATION

Develop your resume and cover letter writing skills; refine your career goals and strategy

  • Through informational interviewing, internships, and relevant part-time and summer jobs, “test the waters” and determine a potential career direction:
  • Update and tailor your resume and cover letter
  • Research graduate schools and visit campuses
  • Learn to present your strengths and goals in an elevator pitch
  • Conduct informational interviews and build your network
  • Develop and practice your interview skills
  • Obtain an Internship

Seniors | STEP 4: IMPLEMENTATION

Develop and implement your job search or graduate school strategy

Develop the skills you need to accomplish your goals:

  • Sharpen your job search skills and develop a list of potential employers
  • Explore relevant job boards and begin to apply for jobs
  • Prepare for interviews and practice interviewing skills with a mock interview
  • Network with friends, parents, faculty, alumnx and others
  • Gather graduate school application materials and write a personal statement
  • Attend events such as career fairs, company presentations and career-related forums with alumnx

Seniors | STEP 5: DECISION MAKING

Make an informed and meaningful career decision

Gain insight into necessary professional development skills to be successful:

  • Refer back to your career goals, interests, strengths, and values for guidance
  • Analyze job offers/graduate school admissions and weigh your options.
  • Meet with a career coach to walk through your decision-making process
  • Consider the practical aspects of life after Simmons, by reviewing the Life After College career guide to help make a successful transition
  • Join the Simmons alumnx network Simmons Network, and check out Simmons Alumnx on Simmons University’s LinkedIn page
  • Learn and practice the basics of negotiating

Download a printable checklist

sitting area in the center for student success

Career Education Center

Center for Student Success