Career Planning
Sophomore year is a time to lay the groundwork for future decisions, whether that involves post-graduate studies, professional school or heading immediately into work or a career.
By the end of this year, you should be actively considering two or three possible paths. Here are some ways to go about doing that:
- Go to The Career Center to get oriented about what careers are possible and to learn about “informational interviews” that you can do to find out about a career area you are considering.
- Prepare a resume and update it regularly. The Career Center can help with workshops on this and many other topics. Check out their website at www.careers.wustl.edu.
- Get hands-on experience in a career area to see if it’s a good fit, whether that’s shadowing a professional in the field you’re considering, research or internships.
- Find out about various careers, academic and otherwise, and research areas by talking to faculty and advisors, especially in any considered majors. This is particularly useful for those considering graduate school.
- Make sure you’re on the radar for the Life Sciences and Pre-Law advisors so that you will be kept informed of relevant deadlines, workshops and information sessions over the next several years. To be added to the life sciences mailing list, email lifesci@artsci.wustl.edu. To be added to the pre-law mailing list, email prelaw@artsci.wustl.edu. Attend the information sessions they hold for sophomores.
- Explore the possibility of a transitional post-graduation position such as Teach for America, AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps.
