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Academic Four-Year Plans

Take a look at the academic four-year-plans of study for your intended or current major! Visit the Find Your Major Web site and learn about possible career fields, position titles, academic requirements for admission into you major field of interest and much more!

Begin planning your career today!

It's never too early to begin making plans for your career! Choosing your major is an early first step to a long and prosperous career. The process of building your career is a lifelong one . . . which begins as an Illinois State student.

 

Take a look at the categories below, determine where you fit, follow the advice provided, and get started on your journey to finding the right career for you!

 

• First-year and transfer students (0-30 earned credit hours)

• Second year and transfer students (31-60 earned credit hours)

• Third Year/Transfers (61-90 credit hours)

• Fourth Year/Transfers   (91-120 credit hours)

 

 

First Year/Transfers  (0-30 credit hours)

• Start on the right foot.

  Develop/refine time management skills.  Understand your “preferred learning style.” Attend seminars presented by University Center for Learning Assistance (UCLA).

• Set academic goals – grades are important.

  Ask for help EARLY if you need it.  Tutors are available through academic departments and UCLA.  Use your professors’ office hours to ask questions or communicate with them via email!

• Take the: System of Interactive Guidance & Information” (SIGI 3) Assessment Inventory.

  SIGI 3 is a series of online interest, values, and abilities assessments that assists students in exploring occupations and careers. It also provides a wealth of detailed information about a wide variety of careers.  SIGI 3 may be helpful for any student trying to better define what they want to do with their major. At a more basic level, it certainly could be useful for any student trying to determine what their major should be!  Take the SIGI 3 assessment, available on our Web site 24 hours a day.  We encourage you to review results with a Career Advisor.

• Browse “What Can I Do With This Major?”
  Discover the variety of career options available on the Find Your Major Web site.

• Start researching careers/majors in order to focus your academic work.
  Employers prefer candidates who are able to articulate short-term goals (at least) and preferably longer-term goals.  This is a process that deserves a lot of thought and consideration.  SUGGESTIONS: Attend department event and listen to speakers, read professional journals, talk to faculty, take advantage of field trips/tours of the industry, attend career fair; find resources on our Web site.

• Meet early in the fall with your Academic Advisor to plan your schedule and discuss the best options for your choice of major. Continue/Complete long-term planning with your Academic Advisor. *Keep in mind the new University “75 credit hour" policy:*

• Get involved.
  Employers are more interested in job candidate who have developed effective interpersonal and communication skills. SUGGESTIONS:  Professional Organizations, Community Service, Student Government, Residence Hall Government, Social Organizations, etc.

• Start your professional portfolio.

  Keep track of all your accomplishments in and outside the classroom.

  SUGGESTIONS:  Save any certificates, commendation letters, and special academic projects that document your involvement; save evidence of other important projects.
  

Second Year/Transfers  (31-60 credit hours)

• Meet early in the fall with your Academic Advisor to plan your schedule and discuss the best options for your choice of major.
  Continue/Complete long-term planning with your Academic Advisor. *Keep in mind the new University “75 credit hour" policy:*

• Continue career exploration.
  Take advantage of internship or externship programs. Conduct informational interviews with professionals to help you focus on a specific career.

• Join a professional organization.
  Start to develop a network of faculty and friends. Continue to strengthen interpersonal skills. Begin to consider who will be your references when you graduate.
  

• Learn how to build an effective resume.
  Contact or visit the Career Center and find out how to put your resume on eRecruiting.com!
  SUGGESTIONS:  Use your professional portfolio as a reference and keep updating it!

 

Third Year/Transfers (61-90 credit hours)

• Meet with your departmental advisor to track your academic progress.

• Develop your leadership skills.
  Increase your involvement. SUGGESTIONS:  Run for a position in your student organization, chair a committee, organize an event or supervise a project, etc.

• Continue to network with peers, faculty, and professionals in your field.
  SUGGESTIONS:  Career Fairs, Professional Etiquette Dinner, Professional Organizations OFTEN have “mixing” socials with employer representatives.

• Look for internships or related work experience.
  Most departments offer internship opportunities. Each program has an internship and/or clinical or field experience coordinator for you to talk with regarding GPA requirements, course credit, etc. Contact the Career Center for additional internship contact information at 309-438-2200.  Check eRecruiting.com for available internship opportunities!
  NOTE:  Employers prefer students who graduate with some related experience!   Find an internship related to your field of interest!   Practice your networking skills, develop a professional resume, and bring several copies to the Internship and Job Fairs.  Proactively interact with the employer representatives at these fairs.

• Learn how to conduct a well-planned job search.
  Visit the Career Center and participate in career fairs and events. Become familiar with additional Web sites that will assist your job search readiness and/or provide listings in the field(s) you wish to pursue.  Attend a Career Night Live! program for tips from employers and from Career Center staff---they are scheduled early in each semester.

• Ask for a FREE Academic Progress Summary (APS)! You can receive your copy from the iCampus portal or from the Student Service and Referral Center (SSRC) in Moulton Hall.
  Your APS will help you determine what requirements you still must complete in order to graduate!

 

Fourth Year/Transfers   (91-120 credit hours)

• Register or update with the Career Center’s eRecruiting.com.
  Make sure your resume is online at eRecruiting.com. If you want to participate in campus interviews, you MUST be registered!

• Review your graduation plan with your Academic Advisor.

• Polish up your job search skills.
  Keep your resume updated, practice your interviewing skills, strengthen your network of job-search contacts, and ask for letters of recommendation! Attend a refresher Career Night Live! program. Mock interviews can be scheduled at the Career Center. Check eRecruiting.com for job posting and on-campus interview opportunities.

• Attend the Job & Internship Fairs and/or other fairs, depending on your Major and Job Objective.
  SUGGESTIONS:  Dress professionally and bring several copies of your resume!

• File your application for graduation in the Office of Undergraduate Evaluations.
  Note:Be aware of the deadline listed in the Course Registration Directory!

**Four Year Plan adapted from Illinois State University College of Business and Career Center – “Building Students’ Futures” Business Career Planning: A Four Year Process, 2004-2005