The good news is that there is no one right way to figure out what you’d like to do with your life during and immediately after college. There are many paths!
What we do know, however, is that students tend to engage in certain activities at certain times during their years in college, and we are sharing that outline with you here.
You will notice some experiences — especially making connections — appear over and over again. That is because students explore these experiences and make connections all throughout college. As you do, you will sharpen your skills and become even more comfortable in finding the next step.
First Year Students
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
First Year Students
Your academic studies
- Explore what you need to do to succeed, and learn how to manage your time
- Reach out for support if you face challenges in your studies (Academic Support Center)
Your helpful people on campus
- Meet with your College Advisor and connect with coaches, faculty and staff
Your helpful people off campus
- Talk with family, friends or other helpful people about your interests
Your next step
- Attend Jumpstart, a special event for First Year students
- Go to the Summer Employment Fair and/or the Internship Fai
Your resume
- Meet with a student Peer Advisor in the Piper Center to create a college resume and a profile on Handshake, St. Olaf’s online career platform
Your applications
- Apply for student employment, volunteer, or join a student organization
- Explore your interests through off-campus study, a summer job, research or experience
Sophomores
Your academic studies
- Explore areas of interest using What can I do with a major in . . . ?
- Declare your major in the spring Major Declaration Day
Your helpful people on campus
- Meet with your College Advisor, with faculty, coaches and staff, and with Piper Center Peer Advisors and career coaches
Your helpful people off campus
- Begin connecting with alumni at career exploration events or through the Connections program
Your next step
- Explore the career and industry areas that most interest you
- Attend the Quo Vadis Retreat (“Where are you going?”), a special event for sophomores
Your resume
- Meet with a Piper Center Peer Advisor to update your resume and to build a LinkedIn profile
Your applications
- Explore student employment, volunteering and organizations that fit your interests
- Apply for summer internships, research opportunities and other hands-on experiences
Juniors
Your academic studies
- Delve into your major and consider research or independent study
Your helpful people on campus
- Meet with your Major Advisor, other faculty and staff, and Piper Center coaches and Peer Advisors
Your helpful people off campus
- Connect with alumni and potential employers at Career Exploration and Alumni Connections Events, Recruiting Showcase, Connections program, and Employment Fairs, etc.
Your next step
- Explore internships, research opportunities, off-campus study and other experiences that fit your gifts, interests and/or major/concentration (Career Guides for Oles)
Your resume
- Meet with a Piper Center Peer Advisor or coach to tailor your resume to fit your next step
Your applications
- Apply for internships, research opportunities, fellowships, off-campus study, summer employment and other experiences
Seniors
Your academic studies
- Take Level III seminars; undertake research or independent study; finish those GEs!
Your helpful people on campus
- Meet with your Major Advisor, fellowship advisors, other faculty and staff, and your Piper Center career coach to talk about the next step
Your helpful people off campus
- Connect with alumni, potential employers, admissions officers for post-graduate education or professional school (Career Exploration and Alumni Connections Events, Recruiting Showcase, Connections program, and Employment Fairs, etc.)
Your next step
- Choose a path that you would like to follow after graduation (work, study, service, gap year or other experience)
- Take the next step on that path
Your resume
- Work with a Piper Center coach or Peer Advisor to tailor your resume to fit the next step
Your applications
- Apply for full- or-part-time employment, fellowships, graduate or professional school, service or gap-year opportunities or other experiences