Checklist

Get to know Fordham!

• Attend and participate in one Summer Orientation Program
• International Students: Attend all Global Transitions orientation events
• Ask questions, seek answers:
• Who are the Jesuits?
• What are Fordham’s 4 core Jesuit values?
• How (and why) is a Jesuit education different?
• Find out why we say we’re ‘One Fordham’: visit your other campus! (Rose Hill visit Lincoln Center, and vice versa)

Sink, or Swim?  Learn how to work the ‘Fordham way’.

• Attend all Freshmen advising sessions
• Get to know Gabelli Connect, your gateway to Fordham
• Watch for/act on opportunities shared via Gabelli and PPD emails!
• Discover all the resources at your disposal
• Tutoring (by dept.; within Gabelli)
• Health Center
• Public Safety
• Fitness Center
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Campus Ministry
• Center for Community Engaged Learning
• International Students: Watch for & respond to ANY OIS outreach (Office for International Services)

Get to know the Gabelli School of Business—and yourself.

• Ace the Ground Floor course
• Take advantage of your Wall Street Journal subscription: subscribe!
• Complete ‘Handshake’ Workshop (Level 1) with Career Services
• Learn about various majors/concentrations & careers they feed into
• Complete TypeFocus online self-assessment to explore your natural strengths, interests and professional values

Prepare for life, after college.

• Explore the future through Career Exploration IP
• Engage in resume and ‘personal pitch’ preparation
• Create your own LinkedIn page
• Review undergrad career plan survey reports (industries/functions of employed graduates, average salaries/sign-ons, interviewing activity)
• Explore internship opportunities: Register on Handshake

Develop networking skills!

• Make sure you have a suit
• Attend ‘Getting Ready for Employers’ & networking workshops
• Attend at least one alumni career panel
• Attend at least one employer career fair
• Explore an externship (a half- to one-day experience at a workplace)
• Discuss your interests and career options with each of the below to  help you weigh your potential major options:
• Your class dean/PPD advisor
• Faculty members
• Upperclass student peers
• Family and friends

Get Off Your Phone: PARTICIPATE in Fordham!

• Attend the Club Fair, get on mailing list for those you are interested in
• Get involved in on-campus activities that interest you
• Volunteer and join student organizations
• International Students: You’re not alone! Watch for and attend Global Transition Society events

The future starts NOW!

• Master the Liberal Arts Core
• Obtain as high a GPA as possible
• Attend a Career Spotlight for each major/discipline

Embrace Magis, Do More

• Volunteer: Start/continue volunteering
• Join student organizations, clubs
• Find more ways to participate—make a difference on/off-campus
• International Students: Help yourself/others: participate in Global Transition Society events

Think Globally

• Explore study-abroad options for spring/summer/Junior year
• If You’re an International Student:
• Watch for and respond to ANY OIS outreach (Office for International Services) 
• If your I-20 End Date is wrong OR you’re enrolled less than full-time, let OIS know!

Discover WHO You Want to Be

• Meet with PPD (Personal & Professional Development) advisors…
• One-on-one: Get personalized guidance about major/ concentration options that appeal to your career interests 
• Large Group: Attend at least one PPD Spotlight Series event
• Collect employer insights on Career paths, Requirements and Expectations:
• Complete the TypeFocus online self-assessment (if not done yet) to uncover natural strengths, interests and professional values
• Attend employer presentations, learn about potential careers

Think Big and Get Help

• Attend PPD General Advising Workshops to...
• Learn how a recruiter looks at your resume
• Learn how to prepare for career fairs & networking
• Learn how to prepare for interviews, and more
• Attend Sophomore Dean advising events, office hours to...
• Learn about major/minor/concentration options available
• Discuss academic requirements and your academic progress

Get Noticed!

• Maximize your GPA
• Create networking contact list (get help: PPD Career Advisor, on-line)
• Network constantly, attend at least two events during the year:
• Career fairs
• On-campus employer information sessions
• Student organization events
• Guest-speaker appearances
• Participate in on-campus recruiting &/or video interviewing
• Volunteer at Dean’s Office/University/Community events
• Pursue leadership opportunities wherever they arise

Begin to Become WHO You Want to Be

• Improve your resume…
• Attend resume & cover letter workshops (led by OCS, PPD)
• Review sample resumes online
• Incorporate Consulting Cup experience
• Spring: Add spring internship experience (if any)
• Meet one-on-one with PPD advisors to:
• Refine your personal marketing/presentation
• Re-shape your resume to align with likely academic/career path(s)
• Register on Handshake (if not done yet)
• Seek & apply for spring/summer/junior year internship opportunities
• International students (F-1 or J-1): Be sure to obtain CPT work authorization, if needed (to learn more, search for Working Legally in the U.S. on Fordham website)
• Complete second-level OCS Workshop (on ‘Handshake’)
• Constantly update CareerInsights on your internship search (leads, offers, acceptances)
• March: Select a degree path, formally declare your major/minor/concentration

Update Your Major

• Meet with your class dean to discuss…
• The best major/minor/concentration for your career goals
• Academic requirements, and your academic progress
• Leveraging electives to compliment your professional interests
• Meet with faculty in your area(s) of interest to…
• Learn about cutting edge developments that might inspire you
• Discuss current research related to your career interests

Continue to Get Noticed

• Maximize your GPA
• Network constantly, attend at least two (2) events over the year:
• Career Fairs
• On-campus employer information sessions
• Student organization events
• Guest-speaker appearances
• Keep volunteering at Dean’s Office/University/Community events
• Look for ways to participate in academic competitions (on/off-campus)
• Pursue leadership opportunities wherever they arise
• Get involved with 1+ professional association in your field of interest
• International Students: Get involved, be a Global Transition Society leader

Pursue WHO You Want to Be

• Prepare for and seek internship opportunities in sector(s) of interest
• International students (F-1 or J-1): Be sure to obtain CPT work authorization, if needed (to learn more, search for Working Legally in the U.S. on Fordham website)
• Create a Job Search plan (get help: PPD Career Advisor, on-line tips)
• 9+ months before graduation: Start job search/interviewing
• Improve your application/knowledge through external research
• Participate in on-campus recruiting &/or video interviewing
• Complete ALL OCS workshops (req’ed to see job postings, submit resumes)
• FALL/SPRING/SUMMER: Work as an intern in sector(s) of interest
• Constantly update CareerInsights on your internship & job search (leads, offers, acceptances)
• Investigate Grad School and confirm whether an advanced/professional degree will be useful/necessary to achieve your goals
• Look into dates/deadlines, begin preparing for GMAT/entry exams
• International Students: If your I-20 End Date is wrong OR you’re enrolled less than full-time, let OIS know!

Strengthen Your Network

• Grow networking contact list (get help: PPD Career Advisor, on-line)
• Connect with faculty in your major/concentration
• Develop & cultivate 1+ professional contact outside Fordham

Hone Your Skills!

• Attend one (1) of the following:
• Attend PPD Career Advising workshops on networking, interviewing, job searching, grad school prep, and more
• Make appt. (via GabelliAccess) and meet with a PPD career advisor
• Continue to develop leadership, teamwork, communication skills through extra-curriculars
• Strengthen resume! Review with PPD to target sector/career focus; add new internship(s)/skills as developed; attend resume workshop
• Attend Mock Interview workshop/participate in Mock Interview Week
• Practice: Leverage Fordham’s interview software to practice
• Investigate international opportunities (study tours, summer programs, International Business Week seminars)

Learn from Family, Friends, Alumni

• Conduct informational interviews with family friends to explore career paths within your field(s) of interest
• When prepared: Seek informational interviews with alumni* (*Alumni Database accessible through OCS office & Hughes 4th floor lobby)

Reflect and Identify Gaps in Your Personal Brand

• Identify the skills employers need: Review Hanshake job postings
• Review these against your resume: Which skills are you promoting?
• For skill gap(s) identified (their needs vs. your offer): Take steps NOW to fill gaps (via coursework, internships, workshops, global experiences, student leadership opportunities, etc.)

Continue to Get Noticed

• Maximize your GPA
• Keep networking! Attend...
• Employer Presentation sessions
• Career Fairs
• Club events
• Don’t stop volunteering! Get involved at...
• Dean’s Office
• University events
• Community events
• Volunteer to mentor a freshmen
• Continue being a leader in your community
• International Students: Get involved, be a Global Transition Society leader

Pursue WHO You Want to Be

• Meet individually with a PPD career advisor
• IF ACCEPTED A JOB OFFER: Work with PPD to develop a strategy to get to where you want to be in 5 years
• IF HAVEN’T ACCEPTED A JOB OFFER: Continue preparing for and seeking job opportunities in your sector(s) of interest
• Create a job search plan with PPD (if not done yet)
• Start job search/interviewing 9+ months before graduation
• Improve your application/knowledge through external research 
• Research potential employers through Handshake and Vault 
• Review online job search resources for relevant, interesting leads
• If attending grad school: Prepare applications, required materials (review OCS/PPD online: health, law, general grad school content)
• Update CareerInsights database with your plans, salary info (for all leads pursued, all jobs offered, final job accepted)

Keep Honing Your Skills!

• Strategically leverage your remaining electives: Work with your Dean to determine which electives (Liberal Arts, Business) will help you hone the skills you need for the job offers you’re pursuing
• Practice interviewing…
• Attend Mock Interview workshop
• Participate in Mock Interview Week (late Sept–see GabelliAcces for specific dates and registration)
• Practice with Fordham’s interview software
• Participate in on-campus recruiting or company video interviewing
• Perfect your resume and cover letter, upload resume to Handshake

Strengthen Your Network

• Grow, update your networking contact list (get help from a PPD Career Advisor & on-line tips)
• Continue to connect with faculty in your major/concentration

Prepare for Life After Fordham

• Reflect, build on and embrace your personal brand
• Develop personal finance skills, budget
• Reflect on your Fordham experience
• Attend at least one retreat
• Participate in a Service Learning project
• International Students: If your I-20 End Date is wrong OR you’re enrolled less than full-time before your last semester, let OIS know!

Graduate!

• Oct & Nov: Attend mandatory Senior Group Advising sessions to make sure you are clear for Graduation!
• By November: Verify class Dean has all transcripts, AP credits, any study abroad course transcripts (e.g., credits needed for graduation) Without them, we can’t attest to completion or grant diploma!
• Inoculate yourself against “Senioritis!” Even if you have a job lined up, maintain habits that got you to this point. Finish strong! Don’t ‘check out’.