Professional Development Resources & Roadmap

The Roadmap below is intended to guide students in their professional development, career exploration, and navigation of resources and opportunities. Each student’s professional destination will be different, but every student is encouraged to explore and engage to find their personal route to success. 

 

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First Year: Adjust and Discover

Fall Semester

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Get acclimated

Familiarize yourself with resources

Make connections through cohorts, clubs, college houses, etc.

Explore interests from academics and extracurriculars

Practice self-care

 

Actions

Participate in the Amazing Cohort Race and other cohort events

Sign up for a cohort mentor (contact your cohort leaders)

Join Wharton and Penn student organizations and clubs

Review introductory emails from Career Services

Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your educational, personal, and professional goals

Explore Career Services’ Handshake platform and sign up for industry and pre-grad e-newsletters

Consider summer research, internship, and study abroad opportunities:

  • Global Research & Internship Program (GRIP)
  • Penn Summer Abroad
  • Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program (PURM)
  • Social Impact Research Experience (SIRE)
  • Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
  • Wharton International Program (WIP)
  • World Research Assistantship Program (WRAP)

Spring Semester

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Develop relationships with students, advisors, and professors

Cultivate emerging interests from academics and extracurriculars

Practice self-care

Actions

Meet with a Wharton peer advisor for advice on academics, extracurriculars, internships, etc.

Assess your interests using the free Career Explorer self-assessment platform

Create or shape your résumé and cover letters

 

Summer

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Expand on interests

Have meaningful summer experiences

Actions

Enjoy your summer!

 

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Second Year: Explore and Connect

Fall Semester

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Become more involved on campus

Connect with upperclassmen and identify mentors

Continue career exploration

Familiarize yourself with internship timelines and Career Services resources

 

Actions

Sign up to mentor a first-year student through the cohort mentorship program (check email)

Meet with your academic advisor and peer advisors to discuss your educational, personal, and professional goals

Meet with Career Services staff or Peer Career Advisors

Keep your résumé up-to-date

Attend career fairs, Career Services events, and club-hosted info sessions to explore companies, industries, and potential positions

Consider signature experiences:

 

Spring Semester

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Finalize summer plans and logistics

Determine how to get the most out of your summer 

 

 

Actions

Attend career fairs and company information sessions based on interest

Develop skills, like networking and interviewing, through workshops

Apply for summer funding if you are pursuing an unpaid or underpaid opportunity

Check the Career Services calendar for and attend programming on summer opportunities 

Update your profile in and familiarize yourself with MyPenn

 

Summer

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Participate in meaningful summer experiences

Continue to evaluate interest in job responsibilities and industry

Prepare for fall recruiting (as necessary)

 

Actions

Participate in summer internship/work, research, or study abroad

Attend recruiting events and networking receptions hosted by companies (Handshake)

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Third Year: Experience and Refine

Fall Semester

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Reflect on your summer 

Consider what internships/ experiences might be right for you 

Familiarize yourself with hiring timelines and Career Services resources

Pursue mentorship and leadership opportunities 

Practice self-care

 

Actions

Complete the Career Services Summer Survey (check email)

Meet with Career Services staff or peer career advisors to to prep for interviewing 

Attend career fairs and information sessions based on interest

Participate in mock interviews (sign up via Handshake) and brush up on your interviewing skills

Become a cohort mentor

Shop for professional clothing at the Quaker Career Closet

Sign up for an MBA mentor through GUIDE

Consider applying for:

 

Spring Semester

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Finalize internship details and summer logistics

Continue pursuing and developing mentorship relationships

Practice self-care

Actions

Check in with your academic advisor to stay on track toward your graduation date

Attend career fairs and information sessions based on interest

Meet with Career Services staff or peer career advisors to stay on track 

Apply for summer funding if you are pursuing an unpaid or underpaid opportunity

 

Summer

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Build and improve on soft/technical skills and strengths

Reflect on summer experience and think of ideal work culture and location

Actions

Review Career Services’ competency worksheet to identify areas of strength and potential growth

Network and determine fit within the organization

Pursue return offer if desired

Prepare to apply for graduate school if relevant

 

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Fourth Year: Transition and Impart

Fall Semester

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Prepare for future – whether working or graduate school

Mentor and provide guidance to underclassmen

Practice self-care

 

Actions

Attend career fairs and information sessions based on interest and participate in on-campus interviewing (OCI)

Practice your skills in Mock Interviews (sign up via Handshake)

Attend a workshop on salaries and/or negotiating offers

Make an appointment with a career advisor or go to same-day advising  to stay on track 

Attend graduate school recruitment fairs (if relevant) 

Help out with info sessions/panels if offer is secured 

 

Spring Semester

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Practice self-care

Reflect and plan for life after Wharton and Penn

Actions

Continue job search or attend graduate school recruitment fairs (if relevant)

Complete the Financing Your Future Canvas-based program for graduating students.

Familiarize yourself with Alumni Relations resources 

 

Summer

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Celebrate the end of your undergraduate education

Stay connected

Actions

Complete the Career Services post-graduation Career Plans Survey

Update your contact information