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.

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”:

• Review the First-Year Career Booklet
• Take self and personality assessments (Clifton Strengths Finder and CEC Assessments)
• Meet with a career coach to review assessments and early career planning
• Begin to identify career fields and/or academic programs that fit your interests and abilities
• Create a draft resume
• Complete your Handshake profile

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