Academics

CECD Four Year Plan

Marietta College is dedicated to ensuring students not only gain expertise in their chosen majors but also build adaptable skills and mindsets to thrive in an ever-changing job market. With personalized guidance and preparation, Marietta graduates are empowered to navigate multiple career transitions and continue growing as professionals and individuals. We firmly believe that with self-knowledge, proactive planning, and access to opportunities, Marietta students can craft fulfilling careers that align with who they are.

With support from our career coaches and counselors, Marietta College students engage in strategic career planning based on self-discovery, research, and informed decision-making. This process empowers students to identify multiple possibilities that offer strong potential for satisfaction and success. Whether your aspirations are in Accounting, Environmental Science, Theatre, or other fields, Marietta provides resources to hone essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. Our broad liberal arts curriculum sharpens these skills, readying students for diverse career paths.

Career planning is fluid, ongoing, and unique to each student’s interests and goals. Marietta students are encouraged to meet frequently with the staff of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development to receive one-on-one guidance and assistance. They are also invited to take advantage of numerous opportunities to participate in career development workshops, mock interviews, business startup competitions, networking events, internships, practicums, apprenticeships, and job shadowing throughout their college years. With an open mindset and strategic support, students gain clarity on how their values, abilities, and passions align with post-graduation opportunities.

Here is a plan that the Office of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development has created to assist students with career preparation:

In Your First Year 

  1. Explore resources such as Pathway U, Handshake, People Grove, and Parker Dewey.
  2. Create an account on PathwayU and complete the Self-Assessment form.
  3. Use your Marietta College email and password to access Handshake and learn how to make appointments with a career coach.
  4. Create a Business Card.
  5. Check campus resources such as Handshake, MyMarietta, digital and physical bulletin boards, social media, and your email on a regular basis for information on career development workshops, summer jobs, competitions, internships, and other opportunities. Make sure to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible.
  6. Practice your “elevator pitch” — how you introduce yourself for networking opportunities.
  7. Consider joining a student organization or club that interests you.
  8. Explore the many opportunities available to study abroad.
  9. Schedule an appointment with a career coach on Handshake to discuss:
    1. The results of your Self-Assessment on PathwayU and your career goals.
    2. Your professional résumé.
    3. Summer jobs and internships.

During Your Second Year

  1. Update your Handshake profile and your business card.
  2. Draft your first professional cover letter for a potential job or internship.
  3. Create an account on LinkedIn and develop your professional profile — start building your network.
  4. Create an account on People Grove and connect with a professional in your field on this platform.
  5. Check campus resources such as Handshake, MyMarietta, digital and physical bulletin boards, social media, and your email regularly for information on career development workshops, summer jobs, competitions, internships, and other opportunities. Make sure to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible.
  6. Look into leadership opportunities within student organizations and clubs.
  7. Practice your “elevator pitch” — how you introduce yourself for networking opportunities.
  8. Explore different career paths through informational interviews or job shadows.
  9. Schedule an appointment with a career coach on Handshake to discuss:
    1. Your experiential learning requirements.
    2. Your LinkedIn and Handshake profiles, résumé, business card, and cover letter.
    3. Summer jobs and internship applications.

Throughout Your Third Year

  1. Update your LinkedIn and Handshake profiles, résumé, business card, and cover letter.
  2. Conduct an informational and/or mock interview with a professional in your field or with a career counselor.
  3. Check campus resources such as Handshake, MyMarietta, digital and physical bulletin boards, social media, and your email for information on career development workshops, summer jobs, competitions, internships, and other opportunities. Make sure to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible.
  4. Practice your “elevator pitch” — how you introduce yourself for networking opportunities.
  5. Speak with a faculty member or a career counselor to evaluate the skills and experiences still needed for your post-grad goals.
  6. Talk with your academic advisor about graduate school.
  7. Prepare for graduate school entrance exams (if applying).
  8. Attend career fairs and other networking events.
  9. Schedule an appointment with career coaches on Handshake to receive assistance with your career-related questions and activities.

Before You Finish Your Fourth Year

  1. Polish your résumé and cover letter and be ready to tailor them for each specific job opportunity.
  2. Use available tools, including Handshake, LinkedIn, and People Grove to identify and apply for positions.
  3. Check campus resources such as Handshake, MyMarietta, digital and physical bulletin boards, social media, and your email for information on workshops, mock interviews, networking events, job fairs, and workshops on how to prepare for life after college. Make sure to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible.
  4. Talk with your academic advisor about graduate school and to confirm all graduation requirements will be met.
  5. Create a spreadsheet to keep track of the jobs and graduate school programs that interest you (complete with application requirements and deadlines).
  6. Connect with professors, mentors, and alumni for guidance and job leads.
  7. Prepare for graduate school entrance exams (if applying).
  8. Use the schedule appointment function in Handshake to book interview rooms and borrow from the Career Closet to ensure you are ready for virtual and/or in-person interviews.
  9. Schedule an appointment with a career coach on Handshake to receive assistance with your career-related questions and activities.