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First Year: Discover

Read through the checklist for your current year and highlight areas you want to accomplish during the year.
Write down two questions to discuss with a Career Counselor.
Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event.

Meet with a Freshman Focus Team Career Counselor during your first quarter at Cal Poly. You can become more confident about your major and career path by meeting with a career counselor.
Complete the Focus2 self-assessment, which will help you to explore your skills, interests, and values.
Review your StrengthsQuest results and attend a Strengths-related workshop.
Take other career assessments such as the Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or values card sorts, if needed, with a Career Counselor.
If you are feeling uncertain about your major choice, consider joining the Major and Career Exploration Group, a career counseling group for first-year students. This group will help you explore how your interests relate to potential career paths.
Get involved with a club or organization that interests you.
Consider taking a course that explores diversity in gender, culture/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability status, and/or sexual orientation, among others.
Think about how you enjoy spending your free time, such as hobbies, school involvement, academic courses, and recreational activities.
Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event on a related topic such as “How to Get to Where You Don’t Know You’re Going” or a Strengths workshop.

Review portfolio samples of other Cal Poly students for inspiration and ideas.
Create a section highlighting your top 5 strengths from StrenthsQuest.
Begin adding relevant coursework and labs, projects, extra-curriculars, and internships/part-time work.
Include visuals such as photos, documents, designs, etc.
Join the Cal Poly Network.
Connect with other Cal Poly students.
Add the Portfolium link to your email signature, resume, and LinkedIn profile.
Attend a Career Services workshop about Portfolium.

Make an appointment with your Career Counselor or Academic Advisor.
Review current and/or potential majors in the Cal Poly catalog.
Discuss career possibilities with peers, upper-division students, faculty, alumni, industry professionals, and family.
Explore the resource What Can I Do with This Major? prepared by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Career Services.
Look at the Graduate Status Report.
Search through O*NET Online and the Occupational Outlook Handbook for detailed information about careers that interest you.
Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event on a related topic such as “How to Get to Where You Don’t Know You’re Going” or “How to Discover Career Possibilities in Your Major.”
Consider joining the Jumpstart Your Career Group, a career counseling group where you will gain "career readiness" skills and develop an overall career and networking plan.

Create your profile and upload your resume.
Search for jobs that interest you: your dream job, an internship, or local/on-campus part-time work.
Research companies that are coming to the Career Fair.
Access Career Services online resources, such as Big Interview, GoingGlobal, and Focus2.
Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event on a related topic such as “Making the Most of the Career Fair.”

Meet with a Career Counselor to learn more about the resources and services related to your current needs.
Look at the resources available on the Career Services website, and find three services or events that you would like to utilize this year.
Sync the Career Services workshops and events calendar with your calendar.
Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event.

Attend networking sessions and a Career Fair.
Begin building your LinkedIn profile.
Identify existing networks in your social circle, such as family, peers, co-workers club/organization members, and faculty.
Prepare an elevator pitch or sound bites about your education, experience, involvement and goals. Your career counselor can help you.
Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event on a related topic such as a Networking Workshop or LinkedIn workshop.

Join one of the 300+ clubs on campus, or take advantage of other on-campus opportunities such as intramural sports, ASI, or programs offered through the Dean of Students office such as the Cross Cultural Centers, New Student Programs, etc.
Volunteer through the Center for Service in Action or a community partner.
Talk with faculty and upper-division students in your field of study.
Explore the possibility of studying abroad within your four-year academic plan.
Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event on a related topic such as “How to Make Your HIRE Score Higher” or “Planned Happenstance.”

Consider attending a Career Services workshop or event on a related topic such as “Courageous Careers.”
Use the following questions to help you reflect on how your experiences this year can relate to your future career plans.
- What were your most enjoyable and interesting classes this year? What did you find most engaging about them?
- What activities did you participate in this year? What did you find most energizing and challenging?
- What is the most important thing you learned about yourself this year? Consider your strengths, values, personality and/or interests.
- Given your responses above, what new career-related activities or experiences would you like to explore next year?