Pathways To-Do List
* This is a general timeline for most industries. If you are interested in Finance, Government jobs Pre-Law, Health Professions, Science Research or Fellowships you will need to meet with a career counselor in your first year to discuss your timeline.
** It’s never too late for your first time appointment, but we recommend our students follow this timeline for optimal success.
First Year
Fall Semester
- Download Handshake App & complete profile.
- Schedule an appointment to make/revise your resume through Handshake under “Resume Formatting with a Career Assistant.”
- Have a career conversation with a Career Counselor to discuss future goals and learn about Career Services website and resources – Make “First Time Appointment” through Handshake.
- Sign up for a job shadow (deadline 11/15) https://hws.joinhandshake.com/postings
Spring Semester
- (If you did not schedule in the fall) Have a career conversation with a Career Counselor to discuss future goals and learn about Career Services website and resources. Make “First Time Appointment” through Handshake.
- Continue to explore careers with your career counselor to further develop resume, discuss career interests and networking – Make “Career Exploration” appointment through Handshake.
- Apply for a summer job to develop professional skills.
- (Continue throughout the summer) Explore majors, careers and industries on the EXPLORE section.
Sophomore
Fall Semester
- Attend Networking 101. Sign up on Handshake, under events.
- Create a LinkedIn Account and explore the Hobart and William Smith Colleges page. Start exploring alumni/ae section.
- Join the HWS Community & Career Network
- Schedule “Networking Appointment” through Handshake.
*Find 5 alums on LinkedIn or Career Network that you would like to connect with and bring those names to your Networking appointment. - Continue to explore careers with your career counselor to further develop resume, discuss career interests and networking- Make “Career Exploration” appointment through Handshake.
- Start reaching out to alums to get information and advice about their career, industry and/or graduate school experience.
- Participate in 2 workshops and/or Career Journey events. Sign up on Handshake under events.
- Sign up for a job shadow (deadline 11/15) Sign up on Handshake under jobs.
Spring Semester
- Attend Interview Essentials. Sign up on Handshake under events.
- Participate in 2 workshops and/or Career Journey events. Sign up on Handshake under events.
- Meet with an Employer Developer to discuss summer opportunities if you are seeking an internship. Make “Internship Opportunities” appointment through Handshake.
- Apply for Guaranteed Unpaid Internship Funding (even if you don’t have an internship lined up by the deadline 3/30). Sign up on Handshake under jobs.
- Apply for FLX Summer Internship Program. Sign up on Handshake under jobs.
- Apply for HWS Summer Research.
- Continue networking – reach out to more alums or reconnect with the ones you have already reached out to.
Junior
Fall Semester
- Meet with career counselor to update resume and figure out timeline for applying for summer research and internships. Make “Internship Opportunities” appointment through Handshake.
- Continue networking and start looking at websites of companies/organizations for internship opportunities and deadlines.
- Apply for Winter Break (or Spring Break) Career Trek. Sign up on Handshake, under jobs.
- Continue attending Career Services Events.
Spring Semester
- Attend Interview Essentials as a refresher or for the first time if you have not done so yet. Sign up on Handshake, under events.
- Apply, apply, and apply for internships.
- Use the Career Network and LinkedIn to network with alums/parents.
- Make an appointment for a Mock Interview with a Career Counselor.
- Meet with an Employer Developer to discuss summer opportunities if you are seeking an internship. Make “Internship Opportunities” appointment through Handshake.
- Continue attending Career Services Events https://hws.joinhandshake.com/events
Senior
Fall Semester
- Meet with career counselor to update resume and figure out timeline for applying for post grad opportunities. Make “Job Search/Opportunities” appointment through Handshake.
- Use the Career Network and LinkedIn to network with alums/parents
- Attend Career Journey events.
- Look for opportunities/jobs on LinkedIn, Handshake, HWS Career Network and Indeed.
Spring Semester
- Meet with an Employer Developer to discuss jobs and post grad opportunities. Make “Job Search/Opportunities” appointment through Handshake.
- Look for opportunities/jobs on LinkedIn, Handshake, HWS Career Network and Indeed and other industry specific resources.
- Apply, apply, and apply for jobs.
- Meet with a Career Counselor to edit your resume and cover letter to fit job description. Make a “Resume Quick Edit” or “Cover Letter Review” appointment through Handshake.
- Use the Career Network and LinkedIn to network with alums/parents.
- Meet with a Career Counselor for mock interview and find young alums at the companies/organizations you get an interview with to reach out to for interview advice.
- Continue attending Career Services Events.