- Students
Once you have identified your interests, skills, and values through the step of Self-Inquiry, chosen your major, and explored some career fields, it's time to reflect on the information you've gathered and make some decisions. Reflection is a critical piece of the process of determining what's right for your future. Family members and friends may make suggestions, but ultimately it is up to you to determine where and how you will make meaningful contributions to the world, and in turn find fulfillment and a profound sense of satisfaction with your life.
Making decisions about your career path allows you to design strategies for achieving those goals. Your goals may change in the future, but for now it is important to make some choices and gain some experience. Draw upon the resources of the Wagner community - faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends - by conducting informational interviews or job shadowing, engage in an internship, study abroad, become a leader or member of a student organization. The more experience you gain, the better prepared you will be to reach your goals.
1) Set career goals by connecting knowledge about yourself and career-specific information
2) Explore internship options, apply for and engage in internship
3) Study abroad through Expanding Your Horizons or a semester abroad
4) Refine graduate school choices
5) Conduct informational interviews with alumni mentors to narrow career choices
6) Gain/refine skills through leadership/membership in student organizations
7) Gain skills in writing (cover letters, resume, follow-up correspondence, personal statements) and oral presentations (interviews)
We recommend you make an appointment with a member of the CACD staff to assist you during this process.