Career Planning

Wondering what life after graduation looks like for your major? This career planning resource offers tips and insights for your chosen area of study. 

What can I do with this major?

It's never too early to begin planning and training for your career.

Five Career Planning Steps

1. Assess Yourself

• What interests and skills have you developed?
• What do you like best: working with people, things, or ideas and information?
• What subjects really interest you?

2. Explore Possibilities:

• Read about various career possibilities of interest to you.
• Get experience: part time work, volunteering, co-op education.
• Explore options through apprenticeships, mentoring, and career days.

3. Inform Yourself

• What are the qualifications needed?
• What are the projected needs for this type of position in the future?
• What are the working conditions: working alone, with others, indoors, outdoors, etc.
• What are the work place laws you need to know about?

4. Prepare Yourself:

• Have your resume and cover letter ready and available.
• Make up a job hunting plan including goals, contacts, and schedules.
• Find out information about the company.

5. Present Yourself:

• Make sure that your resume is articulate and professional.
• Make sure that your appearance is professional, well groomed, and presentable.
• Career Planning Materials
• The Office of Career Development has many career planning materials that you can come by and take with you.

Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a unique educational program that combines academic instruction with a supervised career-related work experience. A co-op student will:

• Receive a practical education.
• Receive a competitive salary.
• Contribute to the employer's productive work effort.

The Cooperative Education Program at Claflin University allows a student who has completed 45 semester hours to alternate a semester of paid employment with a company related to the student's major field with a similar period of study until the senior year. The student must complete a minimum of two work periods. This enables the student to integrate classroom work with practical on-the-job experience while studying for their undergraduate degree.