Career Planning Guide

In addition to your academic life a Truman College, your time should also include learning about yourself and the world of work. While there are many campus resources that are available to you, such as Academic Advising, the Transfer Center, Tutoring, the Writing Labs, and the Wellness Center; the Career Planning & Placement Center is designed to help you with career development and placement. Ideally, you should include the following steps:

✓ Build a relationship with your assigned academic advisor to talk about courses, a concentration or major, requirements and other academic concerns.
✓ Decide weather a possible transfer to a four-year college program or entry into a job or career immediately after your time at Truman is right for you.
✓ If transfer to a four-year college is what you decide, then seek assistance in the Transfer Cetner first, but also visit us in the Career Planning & Placement Center to help you begin to think about how to match your academic and career goals.
✓ If you decide on an immedicate career, then seek assitance in the Career Planning & Placement Center.
✓ If uncertain, talk to any or all of the above staff to assist you deciding what is best for you (and remember that you are not locked on to one deicision; you may change your mind later).
✓ Career Planning & Placement Center:

  • Drop in to the Career Planning & Placement Center to explore our resources, including our job bulleting board and databases, a calendar of events, career handbooks, help with how to write a resume and cover letter, interview tips, reference materialm makeup/clothing suggections and more. Feel free to drop by as much as you need. For specific, individualized attention you care encouraged to make an appointment.
  • Schedule and appointment with a Career Planning & Placement Center Staff Member. This can be done at the front reception counter in the sign-in notebook.
  • Complete the assessment of your personality, motivations, interests and skills that will match you to a list of specific occupations.
  • Develop (with the help of our staff) an action plan for your specific path to a career or job.
  • Attend career programs and presentations to hear alumni, other professionals and employers talk about jobs and career paths (you can meet them and ask them questions).
  • Discuss with a knowledgeable faculty or staff mentor more details about expectations and patheway to your identified careers.
  • Do online and other research on your career options.
  • Consider obtaining direct job experiences in professional about which you want to know more (interviews, shadowing, practicum, volunteer work, internship, apprenticeship, sumer job, or part-time job).
  • Assess the job market for future job trends, salaries, and such.
  • Seek the Career Planning & Placement Center for assistance on compiling your job packet. We are glad to assist in your job search.