Career Exploration for Current Students
You may not know where the path from college to career lead, that’s okay! The career service professionals at the colleges and universities of Minnesota State are here to help! Whether you know what your path is after graduation or if you’re still piecing it all together, our career services professionals can assist you in figuring out your plans and making them a reality. You don’t have to do it alone.
Explore
Want to learn more about your options? Not sure where to start? Determining what you want to do takes time, reflection, and life experience. Explore the many possibilities and various majors available across the colleges and universities that make up Minnesota State.
Explore Majors:
- Selecting a major is different that choosing a career
- Pursue a major you’re interested in
- Explore, research, and have an open mind
The purpose of a major isn’t necessarily to prepare you for one specific job. Your major can help develop you as a whole person and give you the start in life that could be a job that leads to a lifelong career. Consider all the possibilities and passions you can pursue!
Explore Careers:
- Turn your passions and pursuits into a career
No matter your major, the skill sets you gain at a Minnesota State college or university allow you to pursue a wide range of career opportunities. You have access to resources to explore possible careers, industries, positions, and helpful resources. The opportunities are endless!
- You can discover a wide range of career options and find what aligns best with your values and your interests. How? Because you are the driver behind the wheels of your life.
Get Ready
You’ve done some exploring and likely have a general idea of the direction you’re heading, now it’s time to take the steps while in school to prepare you for what’s next after graduation. Building a network, finding tools and resources, and attend events.
Build your network
- Networking is about discovering and utilizing connections between people such as your friend circle, family, professors, former employers, your college or university alumni. Networking isn’t about simply schmoozing and asking for a job.
- Networking is about making connections to gain information and advice about a career field, learn more about potential job opportunities, to connect with people who are doing the things you want to do, and to tell people about yourself.
- The more information you have about career fields the more informed your decision about a career choice will be.
Events and Experiences
The colleges and universities of Minnesota State plan, host, and sponsor a variety of events and experiences to help students connect with people regarding career opportunities. There are career fairs, speakers, internships, externships, and other special events to help students build their network and learn more about their career options.
Land It
You’ve found your path and taken the steps to prepare; now is the time to land the internship, job, or continue your education. This requires skills in knowing how to search, interviewing, and having the perfect resume.
Resume and Cover Letters
- Your resume and cover letter will most likely be an employer’s first impression of you and your skills. As you create your resume and cover letter pay special attention to the details to ensure you make a solid first impression.
- Your college or university’s career services professionals are a great resource to help you with your resume, whether you’re just getting started or have a resume that needs some updating.
Credit for prior learning is academic credit that is awarded to students who can successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You could have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree. Find out by contacting your advisor. Advisors and many faculty play a role in helping you recognize and identify your learning that might have potential for college-level assessment.
Minnesota State colleges and universities may have different guidelines and processes for granting credit for your prior learning through standardized CLEP examinations, military training or service, Advanced Placement exams, International Baccalaureate diplomas, and (in some cases) college course credit by examinations, individualized assessments, portfolio reviews, or competence demonstrations. Our Veterans Education Transfer System (VETS) shows how many academic credits you can receive for military occupations prior to admissions.