Print

Parkside Purpose

Your Parkside Purpose team is committed to helping you identify your purpose as a student, a person, a citizen, and a future graduate by inviting you to explore and reflect on your experiences, prepare for what is next, and apply what you have learned to achieve your goals. 

YEAR ONE (O-29 CREDITS)
 

REFLECT AND EXPLORE

  • Meet with your advisor to discuss your skills, interests, and values and how they may relate to your major and future career.          
  • Consider taking a CBL (Community-Based Learning) course for opportunities to be involved with civic engagement
    in the surrounding communities.
  • Get involved! Parkside hosts many student engagement activities and has over 70 student organizations. These organizations provide opportunities for students to connect over hobbies, interest areas, and affiliations.
  • Explore career pathways by taking an interest assessment on O*Net. Schedule an appointment with an academic and career advisor to discuss results.

PREPARE

  • Review and edit your resume with a Career Ambassador or your advisor.
  • Claim your Handshake account.
  • Talk about your goals for the upcoming year with your advisor.

APPLY

  • Apply for an on-campus employment job or internship.
  • Search for and apply for volunteer opportunities by using Handshake

YEAR TWO (30-60 CREDITS)


REFLECT & EXPLORE

  • Declare a major and meet with your advisor to discuss goals and career options as they relate to your interests, skills, values, and field of study.
  • With your advisor, talk about the transferable skills you gained through a liberal arts education.
  • Research career pathways, industry areas, and employers by using Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*Net or Handshake.
  • Schedule an informational interview or job shadow to learn more about specific occupations.

PREPARE

  • Connect with faculty members about reference letters for future opportunities – internships, research assistantships, job shadows, and graduate school.
  • Develop leadership skills by leading a committee or running for an executive board position in a student organization.
  • Attend Internship & Career Fairs to connect with employers about internship, shadowing, volunteer, or part-time employment opportunities.

Review job application materials:

  • Look over your resume and add any relevant information you achieved over the summer.
  • Create a LinkedIn profile
  • Ask your advisor about writing a cover letter

Practice your interviewing skills:

  • Use the Elevator Pitch Guide to build your personal introduction. 
  • Big Interview can help you practice interview questions. Record the interview and send it to your advisor for review.
  • Schedule a mock interview appointment with your advisor.

APPLY

  • Search and apply for internships (if eligible), volunteer opportunities, part-time employment, or research assistantships (if eligible). Resources availble here.
  • Search for and apply for volunteer opportunities by using Handshake

YEAR THREE (60-90 CREDITS)
 

REFLECT & EXPLORE

  • Meet with your advisor to review your career success plan. Re-assess interests, skills, values, and experiences if necessary.
  • With your advisor, reflect on your academic and career goals – assess your progress.
  • Further research your chosen career field by participating in informational interviews and shadowing a professional in that field.
  • Research graduate programs. Here's a link to UW-Parkside's graduate program offerings.

PREPARE

  • Attend career events to search for internships and network with professionals in your field.
  • Use LinkedIn to grow your professional network.
  • Join a professional organization as it relates to your career interests.
  • Take a leadership position within a student organization or campus employment staff.
  • Prepare for graduate school entrance exams (GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, etc.)

Practice your interviewing skills:

  • Use the Elevator Pitch Guide to build your personal introduction. 
  • Big Interview can help you practice interview questions. Record an interview and send it to your advisor for review.
  • Schedule a mock interview appointment with your advisor.
  • Research employers and organizations in order to further prepare for interviews.
  • Review and add to reference letter file.

APPLY

  • Search and apply for internships, volunteer opportunities, part-time employment, or research assistantships on Handshake.

LAST YEAR (OVER 90 CREDITS)


REFLECT & EXPLORE

  • Meet with your advisor to review your career success plan and post-graduate job search strategy.
  • With your advisor, reflect on academic and career goals – assess your progress.

PREPARE

  • Attend career events to search for full-time employment and network with professionals in your field.
  • Update online profiles (LinkedIn) that require additional information like your internship, volunteer, or employment experience(s).
  • Continue connecting and building your professional network.
  • Join a professional organization as it relates to your career interests.
  • Take a leadership position within a student organization or campus employment staff.

Update job application materials:

  • Create a professional email
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • LinkedIn profile
  • Handshake account
  • Review and add to reference letter file. Connect with past employers who can serve as another reference.

Practice your interviewing skills:

  • Use the Elevator Pitch Guide to build your personal introduction. 
  • Big Interview can help you practice interview questions. Record an interview and send it to your advisor for review.
  • Schedule a mock interview appointment with your advisor.

APPLY

  • Apply to graduate schools (Fall Semester); UW-Parkside Graduate Programs
  • Search and apply for full-time employment or service opportunities (Fall semester or early Spring semester)
  • Complete the Graduating Seniors Survey. Located in your Solar account.
  • Enjoy your remaining time as a Parkside Ranger!
Scroll to top