Career Planning Guide
When it comes to preparing for your career, it’s important to start early. Consider these suggestions as you navigate your time at Grand View University:
| First Year |
- Consider college as preparation for life. College is much more than education training. Make the most of your college years intellectually, socially, and vocationally. Start growing your network by joining a campus club!
- Take the Career Explorer Assessment to help you identify and explore possible career paths based on your personality, skills, and values - meet with the Career Center to review your results.
- Get to know your GV Complete Coach.
- Review Career Center Resources and GV's Common Job Titles in myGVU to explore majors and career path options.
- Get involved in campus organizations and activities that can be found on the Student Activities page.
- Consider on-campus employment and seasonal or part-time jobs that help you gain skills and experience. Search for positions in Handshake.
- Create a LinkedIn account to help establish your professional brand and keep track of your connections throughout college.
- Complete your profile in Handshake (log in using your GV email address and password) and consider downloading the Handshake app.
- Create a resume that starts incorporating your college experiences.
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| Sophomore Year |
- Secure on-campus employment and seasonal or part-time jobs that help you gain skills and experience.
- Get involved with community organizations and volunteer activities.
- Participate in a Grand View Student Leadership program. Campus involvement, especially a leadership position, enables you to acquire transferable skills, collaborate with a network of student leaders, and gain valuable experience that will help set you apart from others during your future job search or grad school applications.
- Learn more about a variety of careers by completing an informational interview and/or job shadow with an industry professional.
- Attend Career Center and campus club events that help build your network and connect with employers.
- Learn how to write a cover letter that is tailored to specific jobs and internships. Email careerpeer@grandview.edu for assistance writing and editing cover letters.
- Consider coursework that further develops your career readiness, such as career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology.
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| Junior Year |
- Start preparing for graduation. Check with your academic advisor to be certain you will meet all graduation requirements.
- Plan for an internship with your advisor, and start applying for internships or part-time jobs that are relevant to your career plans.
- Complete a mock interview in the Career Center.
- Attend employer events on campus and in the community.
- Explore the NACE Career Readiness Competencies and identify which competencies you need to further develop during your time at Grand View.
- Meet with the Career Center to make sure your application materials represent you well. Be ready to begin your job search as soon as your senior year begins.
- If you plan to go to graduate/professional school, use Mometrix (free study guides, practice tests, and flashcards) to start studying for entrance exams.
- Check with your academic advisor to be certain you will meet all graduation requirements and file a petition for graduation (PDF).
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| Senior Year |
- Gain relevant experience by completing an internship, or work a part-time job related to your career plans.
- Make sure your application materials (e.g., resume and cover letter) and social media represent you well. Update your LinkedIn profile to show that you’re open to work.
- Register for and attend Career Center and Des Moines area employer events, or complete the graduate and professional school application process during the fall semester.
- Network with employers on and off campus, letting them know you're searching for jobs. Utilize the Career Center, faculty, staff, friends, alumni, LinkedIn, Handshake, and professional associations.
- Get registered with the Career Center for employer interviews and participate in our employer interview day events or complete graduate school application process during the fall semester.
- Visit with employers about opportunities at a career day.
- Identify and research employers, completing informational interviews with people who work careers of interest.
- Submit a Grand View graduation application.
- Apply for jobs through Handshake and other job search sites.
- Learn about salary negotiation, and be prepared to negotiate job offers.
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Have a Question? We Can Help.
Haley Peeler
Director of the Career Center
Sara Anderson
Assistant Director of the Career Center