The following Learning Plan Chart is designed to help you plan and record your learning objectives that can help you prepare for your future. Add to the list others that you can think of. Check each point you feel you would like to commit to. Depending upon your situation, you may adjust the suggested timing to suit your needs.

Long Term Learning Plan:

Year 1

• Select courses of interest, ones that you think will be good background for you.

• Think about what makes you special or unique (e.g., personality traits, attitudes and special skills). Use some assessment instruments to help you with details.

• Join campus organizations for recreation and social activities.

• Decide what type of job you would like to have for your next work experience (co-op, casual, summer, contract, on-going (permanent), work-study, internship, volunteer).

Year 2

• Evaluate your academic program to decide if you need to make some changes based on your studies and work experiences to date.

• Begin to look at occupations and the fields you are finding interesting.

• Decide if you want/need to go to graduate school immediately after your Bachelor’s program.

• Plan time for and participate in on-campus activities.

• Look for a work experience to enable you to check out career options you are considering.

• Begin networking. See the Job Search section, Step 4.

• Establish learning objectives for your work experience.

Year 3

• Narrow the field you are considering for your career by researching and speaking with people.

• Join a professional organization in your field, as a student member, to keep up-to-date and network.

• If planning for graduate school, keep your marks high. Check out which schools have the programs you are considering.

• Take on some leadership roles in your extracurricular activities to broaden your skills.

• Locate a work experience that will give you good transferable qualifications.

• Find a mentor who can help you with advice and possibly open doors for you in your career.

Year 4

• Try to keep your marks within the range typically expected by employers you want interviews with. If your marks were lower in the first year or two but are higher now, that upward direction is what employers are interested in.

• Prepare your applications for graduate school. Be sure you are going for a positive reason that is career-related, rather than a negative reason such as an avoidance of something.

• Begin your job search. Check out advertisements in the visible job market and opportunities in the hidden job market. Apply for any positions that you feel are a good fit for you.

• Continue with your commitments to on-campus organizations.