Career Planning Checklists

A Step by Step Guide to Career Planning and Success

With a little advance planning, you can make your transition from college to career much easier, and we’re here to help!

The steps on this page offer suggestions that can help with your preparation and professional success.

Year One Checklist

Make an appointment with Career Services to discuss your interests, explore career options, and plan steps to reach your goals. It’s never too early to connect!
Set up an account on Pathful, our online career interest and exploration tool to learn about occupations. Use your NECC email to create an account.
Activate your Handshake account and explore virtual and on-campus events, access career resources, and look for opportunities to get real-world experience through internships or job opportunities.
Review your major’s profile on What Can I Do With This Major? and research career paths, types of employers in that industry, and strategies to maximize your opportunities.
Get involved with one or more student clubs or organizations to develop and demonstrate skills like communication, teamwork, initiative, and leadership. These are important career competencies and can help build your resume, your network, your skills, and experience.
Attend Career Center Events & Workshops to explore careers, network with employers, and more.
Create or update a resume, draft a cover letter, and ask Career Services to review and offer feedback.
Attend college events, network, and look for opportunities to job shadow or intern so you can see firsthand if a particular career is right for you.

Year Two Checklist

Attend Career Center Events & Workshops and learn about interviewing, the importance of online presence in your job search, and more.
Create an account on LinkedIn, the social networking site for professionals.
Update your resume to reflect your involvement with NECC clubs and student groups, internships and other experiences relevant to your career goals.
Develop a list of employers in your field(s) of interest and do online research to identify companies that you are particularly interested in.
Contact professionals in your field and ask for an informational interview – this is a good, low-pressure way to learn more about occupations and industries of interest, possible career paths, and network while building your communication skills and confidence. Be sure to prepare for these conversations by researching, asking good questions, and always follow up. Prepare in advance and review with Career Services.
Get career advice and support from NECC alumni. Visit NECC Connect to connect with NECC grads working in your field of interest and contact them with your career questions.
Utilize your Handshake account to connect with employers and to apply for jobs and internships. Start applying two to three months before you’ll complete your program.

Let us know when you have accepted a position and tell us what else we can do to help other NECC students!