Advising Plan

Academic Advising Plan

As you make academic progress toward your degree, it is important that you make progress toward career and life goals. The Academic Advising Plan highlights a process that will assist you in clarifying your educational and career plans. When reviewing the plan, you will find three active participants: your adviser, the Career Services Center, and most importantly, you. Under each classification year, you will find some general topics you should discuss with your adviser; you will also find some required activities. At specific points in your academic career, your adviser will ask you to engage in specific career exploration activities within your academic department and with the Career Services Center. You are encouraged to visit Career Services for assistance that begins with major and career exploration to assistance with career development and the graduate/professional school application process.

The Academic Advising Plan emphasizes the partnership you make with your adviser and the Career Services Center. It also emphasizes the importance of your involvement in activities that help clarify your goals and expand your opportunities. Service learning, departmental activities, study abroad experiences, internships, etc. help you get closer to where you want to be… on your way to realizing your educational/career goals.

Although career planning is an important piece in the academic advising process, you will find that your career development will also take place in many other settings: the classroom, conversations with faculty, visits to the Career Services Center, department sponsored activities and clubs, and conversations with professionals in your field of interest.

Many students wait until their senior year to begin planning what they will do after they graduate from college. Career planning begins now! The Academic Advising Plan was developed to guide you through the career planning process throughout your academic career at St. Mary's. Follow this plan and take advantage of the resources and experiences that are available to you as a St. Mary's student.

Freshman

Students engage in the process of self, major and career exploration.

The following activities are required:

• During Orientation, meet with academic adviser to discuss academic major and course selection.
• Take career assessment in ND 0101 class.
• Visit the Career Services Center with ND 0101 class.
• Develop résumé. Seek the assistance of Career Services if necessary. Submit résumé to Career Services.
• Meet with academic adviser before Priority Registration to discuss selected major and career options related to the major.
• Undeclared students talk to adviser about areas of interest, career and life goals, and possible majors they would like to explore.
• Undeclared students are highly encouraged to enroll in ND1111 Career Planning & Goals Clarification during their spring semester.

Your adviser may ask you to engage in some of the following activities. All students, however, are highly encouraged to participate in the activities listed below.

• Participate in Service Learning opportunities that relate to area of interest, chosen major or intended career path.
• Participate in activities sponsored by academic major department. Many academic departments offer activities such as departmental lectures, socials, clubs, community service projects, and research. Ask adviser about departmental opportunities available.
• Visit Career Services. Career Services offers career programming, which addresses each developmental stage of a student's career planning process. Programs and resources include: career resource library, career assessments, career advising, career computer lab, Choosing a Major workshop, etc.
• Learn about local and national professional organizations related to major and career interests.

Sophomore

Students explore experiential learning opportunities.

The following activities are required:

• Discuss possible internship and study abroad opportunities with academic adviser. Internship opportunities should also be discussed with Career Services. Study abroad opportunities should also be discussed with Director of International Education Programs.
• If applicable, prepare applications, request letters of recommendation and complete course requirements necessary for experiential learning opportunity chosen.
• Update résumé with Career Services.
  • Undeclared students will increase awareness of major and career opportunities.
    • Visit Career Services for further career assessment and advising.
    • Enroll in ND1111Career Planning & Goals Clarification (highly recommended, if have not done so).

Your adviser may ask you to engage in some of the following activities. All students, however, are highly encouraged to participate in the activities listed below.

• Continue to participate in Service Learning opportunities and activities sponsored by academic major department.
• Visit Career Services. Career Services can assist students in locating experiential learning opportunities such as part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer positions. Career Services offers career fairs and on-campus interviews that feature employers seeking students for internships, part-time positions, and summer employment.
• Learn about local and national professional organizations related to major and career interests.

Junior

Students engage in activities that assist with goal setting, planning, preparation and decision-making.

The following activities are required:

• Discuss graduate/professional school and or career options with academic adviser. Students needing further assistance should visit the Career Services Center.
• Update résumé with Career Services.

Your adviser may ask you to engage in some of the following activities. All students, however, are highly encouraged to participate in the activities listed below.

• Participate in classes, workshops or seminars that offer information and assistance with career options and graduate/ professional school acceptance.
• Participate in additional experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad, internship, etc.
• Register for the necessary entrance exams if considering graduate or professional school (GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, etc).
• Visit Career Services. Career Services offers programs on job search skills and the graduate/professional school application process. Programs and resources include: Graduate School Workshop, job listings, résumé referrals, career fairs, Business Etiquette Dinner, and practice job interviews, etc.

Senior

Students implement career/educational plans.

The following activities are required:

• Discuss future career/educational plans with adviser.
• Meet with Career Services at the beginning of senior year to develop a career/graduate study action plan.
• Update résumé with Career Services.
• Register for the necessary entrance exams if considering graduate or professional school (GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, etc).
• Become an active participant in the job search process or graduate/professional school application process.
• Request references and letters of recommendation from adviser and other faculty early. Students should provide adviser/faculty member with a copy of résumé, transcript, and personal statement.
• Visit Career Services frequently. Career Services offers on-campus interviews, job listings, job search skills workshops, career fairs, on-line résumé service, literature and other resources that can assist in the graduate/professional school search.