Career Development Services at CSU, Channel Islands presents…
Plan B: Graduate School or Full-Time Work?
Please make sure you print this guide and fill-in the information as you follow the PowerPoint Presentation.
This workshop and guide was designed specifically as a self-guided workshop, therefore the content and structure might be different
than similar documents from an in-person workshop. Please contact Career Development Services if you have any questions
regarding the information presented in this guide or workshop.
Slide 1: Introduction
Slide 2: Learning Objectives
Slide 3: Agenda
Slide 4 - 6: What are your plans?
a) Want to go to graduate school full-time
b) Want to begin work job right after graduation
c) Want to work full-time and go to graduate part-time
d) Want to work part-time and go to graduate school
full-time
e) Not sure
Provide your objective for obtaining a graduate degree.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Slides 7-13: Graduate School Objectives/Goals: Career Goal, Compensation & Staying Marketable
What factors above is relevant to your situation? What do you need to consider?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Top 3 Career(s) or Job Type(s) related to your degree interests:
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________
Slides 14-17: When to Attend Graduate School
When do you think you will attend graduate school? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are your pro(s) and con(s) based on when you will attend graduate school?
Pro(s)_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Con(s)____________________________________________________________________________________________
Slides 18-25: Graduate School Application Resources
What information or assistance will you need from your faculty?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What programs or services would you need from Career Development Services?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Slides 26-27 Researching Employment Opportunities Complete the following research:
www.bls.gov www.myplan.com http://mynextmove.org http://www.onetonline.org
Slide 28 Basic Job Search Strategy Complete the following checklist:
Create Dolphin CareerLink Profile
Download Resume Handbook
Create A Resume
Create A Cover Letter
Create A References Page
Slide 29 Research Companies
Candiates with experience:
What types of employers interest you?________________________________________________________________
Write Down Skills you believe are desirable in your field.___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Candiates with little or no experience:
Who would you like to conduct an informational interview(s) with?___________________________________________
What skills would you like to gain from an internship?_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Slide 30 Search Plan
Questions to think about/ask yourself
How many hours are you willing to dedicate to your job search per week? What will you spend this time doing?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Slide 31 Employer Advice
What do you need to do to be prepared in your job search?________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Slides 32-33 Proactive Job Search
What is the hidden job market?_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Slide 34 Active Engagement - Research
How will you actively engage in a proactive job search?____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
How would you answer an employer’s question “Why do you want to work at XYZ company?_______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Slide 35 Market Yourself
How do you define professionalism? __________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Slides 36-37 Networking and Tips For Success
What are different ways of networking you will utilze from the diagram to follow-up and stay connected with new contacts?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
How do you maintain a positive attitude, should your search last six months, one year or even longer?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Things to do next…
Research Graduate Schools
Review Application Requirements
Visit Drop-In Counseling for Application Advising
Edit CV/Resume for Graduate School Application
Review Graduate School Handbook
Review Graduate School Bound Program
Talk to Faculty about Graduate School Career Pathways
Attend Graduate School Fair
Develop a proactive job search strategy
Research companies related to your career interests
Create your LinkedIn Account
Talk to Faculty about your Career Interests
Attend a Networking Event within ___ days
Attend Career Fair within ___ days
Attend Graduate School Fair within ___ days
Questions to consider…
1. How will I finance my graduate education?
2. What kind of Financial Aid is available?
3. Is the location of the school important?
4. Is the graduate program releated to my career objective?
5. How will I be a competitive Graduate School candidate?
6. How does the Graduate School selection process work?
7. What are the skills or attributes needed to successfully
complete a graduate program?
8. Do I need to have research experience for my graduate
program?
9. Do I need to have work experience for my graduate
program?
10. Are there pre-requisites I need to take for my graduate
program?
11. How do I know which school/program is right for me?
Create a few questions you need help answering by Faculty:
1. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Create a few questions you need help answering by Career Development Services:
1. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________