Four Year Plan

Here is a general guide for you, full of ideas and activities you can partake in during your time at Kenyon that will help you gain a better understanding of your career options and maximize your prospects for finding the right position or getting admitted to the graduate program of your choice after graduation. This isn't an exhaustive list, or something that needs to be followed "step-by-step... but there is a reason why we mentioned "Visit the CDO" each year. The CDO provides assistance to all students, regardless of class year!

This page is also available as a printable worksheet.

To schedule an appointment online, click here.

First-Year Students

• Maintain a great academic record
• Talk to faculty and your academic advisor
• Begin exploring career options
• Visit the Career Development Office (CDO)
• Browse resources in the career library
• Meet with a career advisor
• Take an assessment such as Focus (contact us for login information) or MBTI
  
• Spend a week during winter or spring break job-shadowing a volunteer at their workplace through our Extern Program
• Explore extra-curricular activities
• Expand your summer job (volunteer to go beyond your required duties)

Sophomores

• Declare a major
• Visit the CDO and meet with a career advisor to consider where your interests might lead
• Do another externship over break
• Develop a resume; draft a cover letter
• Pursue a summer internship (don't apply too late - start searching in the fall!)
• Begin establishing a network through faculty, parents, friends' parents, and alumni/ae via the Kenyon Career Network (KCN)
• Take on committee projects in activities

Juniors

• Pursue leadership roles in activities
• Volunteer in the local community
• Do another externship over break
• Visit the CDO to learn about graduate school options: programs that support your career goals, institutions that offer the desired programs, and entrance requirements and timelines
• Attend various career programs
• Participate in off-campus studies programs
• Do another summer internship

Seniors

• Attend CDO events/programs such as Senior Orientation, career panels/speakers, Interview Skills, and more
• Apply to graduate/professional schools
• Visit the CDO to get assistance with application essays/personal statements and interviews
• Update your resume to incorporate summer activities; draft/write cover letters
• Participate in Selective Liberal Arts Consortium events (Off-Campus Interview Days, Coast To Coast Virtual Fair)
• Actively pursue opportunities