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Undergraduate Success by Year
You may not believe it, but your time as an SIS undergraduate will go by quickly. To help you envision your time 69´«Ã½ your bachelor's program, and take smart steps to set you up for career success 69´«Ã½ and after your degree, we have this list of suggested steps each semester to land the internships and post-graduation job that you want.
Year One
Transition and Exploration
- Activate and complete your Handshake profile (with photo)Ìý
- ÌýMeet with a career advisor at least once to identify 3 top areas of career interest and how to explore theseÌý
- Create/revise your resume to be up-to-date and international relations-focused (see sample in right column)ÌýÌý
- Create/revise a basic LinkedIn profile to be up-to-date and include picture, headline, summary, education, experienceÌý
Second Year
ÌýChart Your Career Paths
- Build relationships with at least 3 AU faculty and staff who can serve as professional referencesÌý
- ÌýInternship #1: Network with alumni/employers of interest to secure internship/other relevant professional experience by the summer after sophomore yearÌý
- Meet with an academic advisor and decide if you will study abroad (and or do an internship abroad) junior yearÌý
Third Year
Global Adventures and Career Development
- ÌýIf you have not yet, gain a professional mentor related to your interests through the SIS Career Mentoring Program, Alumnifire, or other contactsÌý
- Internship #2: Network with alumni/employers of interest to secure internship/other relevant professional experience by summer after junior yearÌý
- Research and consider applying to fellowships 69´«Ã½ and after their undergraduate studies to gain valuable relevant experience (Critical Language Scholarship, Pickering, Fulbright, PPIA, Boren, Gilman, etc.)Ìý
Fourth Year
Graduation and Post-Graduation Plans
- Network with alumni/employers of interest throughout the year to inquire about hiring timelines post-graduation and best practices for applicationsÌý
- Hiring timelines vary wildly from 6-weeks to 18-months; in general, expect a longer timeline for federal government (especially intelligence community) and large corporationsÌý
- ÌýApply to relevant post-graduation positions throughout the year and ideally secure one within 3 months after graduationÌý
- UGST-100: Career Exploration & Development (for 1st & 2nd Year students)
- UGST-200: Class to Career Intensive (for 3rd & 4th Year students)
Graduate Success by Semester
Your graduate program will pass much quicker than your undergraduate degree experience, so getting a early start is one of the keys to finding success in your career development. Creating a ‘blueprint’ or ‘roadmap’ can help you to be organized and prepared. Here is a semester-by-semester guide to help you organize and plan your time at SIS.ÌýAttending grad school part-time? No problem. Semester 2 steps are equivalent to those you want to take halfway through your program, and Semester 3 steps, three-quarters of the way through.
Semester One
- Activate and complete your Handshake profile (with photo)Ìý
- Meet with a career advisor at least once to identify 3 top areas of career interest and how to explore theseÌý
- Revise your resume to be up-to-date and international relations-focused (see sample in right column)ÌýÌý
- Create/revise your LinkedIn profile to be up-to-date and include picture, headline, summary, education, experienceÌý
- Meet with the SIS Office of International Programs if interested in international internships, study abroad, or other international experiences 69´«Ã½ your degreeÌý
Semester Two
Ìý
- ÌýBuild relationships with at least 3 AU faculty and staff who can serve as professional referencesÌý
- Internship #1: Network with alumni/employers of interest to secure internship/other relevant professional experience this semester or the summer afterwardÌý
- If you have not yet, gain a professional mentor related to your interests through the SIS Career Mentoring Program, Alumnifire, or other contactsÌý
- Research and consider applying to fellowships 69´«Ã½ and after your graduate studies to gain valuable relevant experience (Critical Language Scholarship, Boren, Fulbright, Presidential Management Fellowship, etc.)Ìý
Semester Three
- Internship #2: Network with alumni/employers of interest to secure internship/other relevant professional experience this semester
- Network with alumni/employers of interest throughout the year to inquire about hiring timelines post-graduation and best practices for applicationsÌý
- ÌýHiring timelines vary wildly from 6-weeks to 18-months; in general, expect a longer timeline for federal government (especially intelligence community) and large corporationsÌý
Final Semester
- Apply to relevant post-graduation positions throughout the semester and ideally secured one within 3 months after graduationÌý
Discover Your Future with AU
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