Student & Alumni Responsibilities
As an Illinois State student, you are among an elite group of students. Illinois State students are academically well-prepared, motivated, and ethnically and culturally diverse. Potential employers are interested in you because of your academic and personal achievements, as well as the fact that you attend Illinois State. Read and understand the points below and begin to develop your own expectations of yourself as you move throughout your career selection process.
Professional Expectations of Students & Alumni:
- Schedule and keep appointments with career counselors, mock interviews, and on-campus interviews. Notify the Career Center of a cancellation or late arrival in a timely manner.
- Act professionally, ethically, honestly, and with integrity. Respect staff, fellow students and employers. Refer to www.educatingillinois.ilstu.edu for the University Strategic Plan that includes core values and mission.
- Dress appropriately in situations that require professional or business casual dress such as professional events, on-campus and mock interviews, and career fairs. Download information regarding professional attire (PDF).
Responsibilities of Students and Alumni:
- Develop self-knowledge related to career choice and work preference by identifying, assessing, and understanding their competencies, interests, values, and personal characteristics to make informed career choices.
- Seek career information and desired skills necessary to compete in the workplace. Explore a full range of career and work possibilities. Obtain educational and occupational information to aid in career and educational planning to develop a better understanding of a rapidly changing, competency-based global workplace.
- Understand academic requirements and select personally suitable academic programs (major/minor & sequences) that will enhance future education and employment options. Meet regularly with your academic advisor.
- Develop academic, career, and personal goals. Establish short-term and long-term career goals. Develop and discuss your action plan with your Career Advisor. Begin planning your career today!
- Become involved and gain experience through academic activities, student involvement and leadership, community service, student employment, research or creative projects, professional practice/internships and other opportunities that enhance educational and employment options.
- Prepare for finding suitable employment by developing job-search skills, effective interview and presentation skills, and an understanding of the fit between competencies in both occupational and job requirements.
- Link with alumni, employers, professional organizations, and others who can provide opportunities to develop professional interests and competencies, integrate academic learning with work, and explore future career opportunities.
- Obtain desired employment opportunities or entry into appropriate educational, graduate, or professional programs. Inform the Career Center when you obtain an internship or professional employment.
- Develop core competencies, future education, employment plans, and career decisions.
Adapted from CAS: Career Center Self-Assessment Guide
