Students

Career Planning

The Office of Career Services is there to help you get on the proper track to success after graduation. The best way to do this is for you to meet with us as early in your Elms career as possible. You really cannot come in too early for help, but you definitely can be too late.

Our counselors will work with you to figure out what you are interested in and  where you would like to be after graduation, and to chart the best route to get you there. Even if your plans are a little fuzzy at this point, we can work with you to bring things into focus.

We can help you better identify your values, interests and skills, and whether your goals are employment or going onto graduate school or a professional program. We will help craft your own 4-year career action plan while at Elms, including selecting the right major to match your goals, how to find the right internship, and even ways to leverage networks at Elms to help you on your way.

Schedule a Career Advising Appointment

Discover Yourself

Planning your future can be equal parts challenging and exciting, and there are many, many people who went onto successful, fulfilling careers despite having started college with no idea whatsoever about what they wanted to do or be for the rest of their lives. This feeling of uncertainty you may have about your future is what the experts call normal.

To help you along, we recommend you begin honestly assessing who you are, your values and skills, and your interests. This will help you gain confidence and allow you to make the right choices now that will put you in a better position to make career decisions later. 

4-year career action plan 

First Year

Explore Majors and Careers 

• Meet with a career advisor 
• Take a career assessment
• Attend the Work-Study Job Fair 
• Create a Resume 

Focus on Academics 

• Create a study schedule 
• Attend all classes; sit in the front 
• Utilize tutoring services 

Get Involved 

• Attend involvement/engagement fairs 
• Find a group of friends 
• Join at least one student organization   

Select Your Major(s) & Career Cluster 

• Declare your major
• Read and engage in your career cluster
• Develop relationships with faculty and staff

Take an Active or Leadership Role

• Become more involved by serving on a committee or obtaining a leadership role

Prepare for the Internship Search

• Have your resume critiqued by Career Services
• Identify internships of interest
• Prepare for interviewing

Second Year

Third Year

Explore Specific Careers & Graduate Programs

• Narrow your career focus 
• Explore graduate school and communicate with faculty
• Identify graduate school and internship search resources 

Network 

• Attend networking events
• Utilize Alumni Career Connections workshops
• Create a professional LinkedIn profile 

Find an internship 

• Apply to internships 
• Consider earning credit for your internship 
• Make a positive impact during your internship

Apply for Jobs and/or Graduate Programs 

• Prepare application materials 
• Consolidate your post-graduation goals

Prepare for the Transition from College to Career 

• Make an impact at your first job out of college 
• Adapt to a new work environment 

Maintain Networking Contacts 

• Stay connected with faculty and colleagues after you leave 

Senior Year

Explore Careers & Majors 

Once you have figured out your interests, skills and values, the next step is to narrow in on a major.  Keep in mind that while a particular major can sometimes direct you to a particular occupation, it is not always the case. Some occupations, like nursing or accounting, require specific degrees for certification. Many others do not. Career services can help you explore what you need academically to be able to pursue a career in a particular field.  Keep in mind that your major does not equal picking a career. By picking a major, you are not being fastened to a predetermined career track like a slot car racer. Your major should compliment your skills and experiences, but you alone sit in the driver’s seat on the road to your future.

Elms has a wide variety of majors, minors and certificate programs to choose from. If you are unsure, need help or want to bounce ideas off a career advisor, make an appointment with career services today. 

Develop Your Skills 

Without relevant work experience, you may find it hard going when you begin looking for entry-level employment after college. Experience, after education, has become a key entry-level requirement for many employers. Career services has the resources to give you the competitive edge in job searches. These include research and connecting you with internships where you can gain valuable experience.

Experiential Learning 

Career Resources

Resume and Cover Letter Guides: 

• Resume for Your First Year of College 
• Resume Guide for Third Years and Seniors 
• Cover Letter Guide
• CV Template for Students 
• Action Verbs for Resumes 

Interviewing Guides:

• Informational Interviewing 
• Phone and Virtual Interviews 
• Employment Interviews 
• Behavioral Interviews 

Career Resources:

• Graduate and Professional School
  • Applying to Graduate School 
  • Entrance Exams 
• Post Interview Resources:
  • Writing a Thank You Note 
  • Negotiating Your Salary 

Funding Opportunities

Elms College is proud to offer several experiential learning funds to support students pursuing unpaid internships, research experiences, mission trips, service-learning fieldwork, and study abroad opportunities. Learn more about experiential learning at Elms.