### Phase D: Where Do I Go from Here?

It is never too early to begin thinking about your life after graduation. You have already begun to make decisions about your future when you started college. You will need to focus your studies by first choosing a focus area and a major. It is important to find opportunities to explore the career(s) that interest you. You can ensure that you are building the right kind of experience on which to base a successful career. These steps will make your dreams come to life and make them achievable. Start by developing a relationship with your student success advisor and/or faculty mentor. Share with them your major and career goals. You can also do further exploration by meeting with the counselors in the career development center. Do not wait till the end of your degree to engage with the career development center. But these counselors can be of great help in matching your interests to a career and in ensuring you are gathering the right kind of experience to make your qualified and completive in the job market. Keep in mind that deciding on and pursuing a career is an ongoing process. The more you learn about yourself and the career options that best suit you, the more you will need to fine-tune your career plan. Don't be afraid to consider new ideas, but don't m ake changes without careful consideration. Career planning is exciting: learning about yourself and about career opportunities, and considering the factors that can affect your decision, should be a core part of your thoughts while in college. Experience is the third set of qualifications employers look for, and it's the one that often stumps students. Relevant experience is not only important as a job qualification; it can also provide you with a means to explore or test out occupational options and build a contact list that will be valuable when networking for your career. But how can you gain relevant experience without experience to begin with? You should consider three options: volunteering, internships, and part- time employment. Volunteering is especially good for students looking to work in social and artistic occupations, but students looking for work in other occupation types should not shy away from this option. You can master many transferable skills through volunteering. With a little brainstorming and an understanding of your career field, you should be able to come up with relevant volunteer experiences for just about any career. Internships focus on gaining practical experience related to a course or program of study. Interns work for an organization or company for a reduced wage or stipend or volunteer in exchange for practical experience. Asuccessful internship program should create a win-win situation: the intern should add value to the company's efforts, and the company should provide a structured program in which the student can learn or practice work-related skills. Internships are typically held during summers or school vacation periods, though on occasion they can be scheduled for a set block of time each week during the course of a regular school term. Remember that a key objective of your internship is to develop relationships you can use for mentoring and networking during your career. Befriend people, ask questions, go the extra mile in terms of what is expected of you, and generally participate in the enterprise. The extra effort will pay dividends in the future. Part-time employment employment may be an option if your study schedule provides enough free time. If so, be sure to investigate opportunities in your field of study. Ask your instructors and the career