Career Navigation

Identify and articulate one's skills, strengths, knowledge and experience relevant to career goals and desired positions and identify areas necessary for professional growth. Navigate and explore job options or graduate/professional school programs, understand the steps necessary to pursue opportunities and understand how to self-advocate for opportunities in the workplace. Build a network of contacts and mentors to guide career growth and create possible future chances.

Helping Students Improve Their Career Navigation Competency

Helping Students Describe Their Career Navigation Competency to Employers and Grad Schools

  • Develop self-awareness assessing values, interests, personality, skills, and strengths (VIPSS)
  • Explore careers and majors that fit my values, interests, personality, skills, and strengths using various resources
  • Gather information from employer representatives and alums about what they hire for and/or their careers
  • Narrow and decide on career and major choices leaving room for future adjustments
  • Decide whether to attend graduate or professional school; research potential advanced degree programs and narrowed choices
  • Compare current knowledge, experience, skills, and strengths to those required in chosen careers to determine gaps
  • Create an action plan including setting career and academic goals and, if applicable, preparing ahead for graduate or professional school
  • Build and activate a network of contacts for making connections, identifying mentors, and gathering advice
  • Brand and promote my knowledge, experience, skills, and strengths applicable to my target audience (a particular job or graduate program) in person and via internet/social media
  • Write targeted, effective resumes, curriculum vitae (CVs), cover letters, personal essays, and other application materials (e.g. online job or grad school applications, follow-up and thank-you emails, etc.)
  • Ask potential references to compose written references (for graduate/professional schools) or be verbal references during the interview process
  • Search for job and internship openings using a variety of resources and methods (e.g. networking, internet job sites, cold-calling, etc.)
  • Learn how to interview effectively: researched job and organization, participate in interview training and practice, and manage first and lasting impressions
  • Perform effective post-interview communication (e.g., thank you’s) and follow-up by email and/or phone
  • Seek advice from a career advisor to understand job offers/benefits packages and decide whether to negotiate salary and other benefits

Rubrics to Assess Career Navigation Learning