"The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them." -Denis Watley 

It is essential to start thinking about your career goals and taking steps toward accomplishing those goals beginning with your freshman year. Below is your checklist to success. By your senior year, you will be ready to start your career and have the skills and tools to do so. 

Year 1

• Keep records of things you learn and new people you meet. Keeping old spirals and notes from different classes and advice from teachers and other mentors you meet is essential in helping you remember what you learned in four years.
• Visit Career Services for skills, interests, and strengths assessments. It is a good idea to get familiar with yourself as you begin to make choices that will determine your degree path. 
• Go to a Résumé Writing Workshop on campus and write your first résumé. 
• Attend the Career Fairs. There are several held each semester. This will give you some practice for when you become a Senior and need to impress an employer at your last career fair.
• Set goals, both long-term career goals and short-term goals, such as acquiring certain skills for your chosen career. 
• Explore your possibilities. You have just embarked on a new journey, and you may see things differently than in the past. There are endless possibilities.
• Get Involved. Join a professional club relating to your major such as, SIFE, Omega Chi Chi, SWOA, SEA, or the Behavioral Science Society. Or join a social club. Everything comes back to building relationships with people.  

Year 2

• Continue to keep records. 
• Research different career paths. Re-evaluate where you are now, and how that lines up with where you want to be.
• Start thinking about an internship. Many majors require you to complete one before you graduate, but even if it is not a requirement, an internship is a beneficial addition to your résumé. 
• Update your résumé with help from Career Services and attend a Résumé Writing Workshop to refresh your résumé writing skills.
• Continue involvement in clubs and professional organizations. Begin to work your way toward becoming a leader of an organization. These types of accomplishments in college are great ways to build your résumé.
• Keep building relationships.

Year 3

• Update your résumé and have it critiqued by Career Services.
• Attend Interview, Cover Letter and Résumé Writing Workshops.
• Narrow down the focus of your career interest and attend career fairs. Visit all booths in which you may be interested. You never know, a company may have an opportunity that fits you.
• Take on leadership roles in the organizations in which you are involved. Dedicate time to those commitments. They will give you valuable experience you can take into the workplace that will impress employers.
• Begin to think about graduate school opportunities. Research application deadlines and requirements.
• Schedule an informational interview with companies or businesses that are in the industries that interest you. These meetings will help you get information and advice about working for that company or a particular industry.
• Start dressing nice for class and other events on campus. It can be very easy to dress casual when you are just going to class, but this is a great time to practice dressing nice. It will prepare you for when you need to attend meetings, career fairs, or interviews.  Click here for more tips on professional dress.
• Do not forget to keep building relationships. 

Year 4

• Finalize your résumé.
• Prepare a cover letter and bring it by Career Services for revisions.
• Make a list of places you might like to work. Do some research on those companies or businesses. Answer questions like this: What do they do? What kinds of jobs do they have available? What qualifications must you have?
• Attend a Career Fair dressed professionally with résumés to hand out.
• View the Resources section of the LCU Career Services website to assist you in your job search.
• Take the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or any other graduate school entry assessment, if applicable.
• Start applying and interviewing. Remember: follow-up and thank you notes are both essential actions after your interview.
• Keep building relationships! After you graduate, it is important to be proactive about networking and meeting new people. As it has been said, "It's not just about what you know, but who you know."