Four-Year Planning Guide

Four-Year Planning Guide

Academic Exploration/Planning

Career Exploration/Planning

Freshman Year

Consider attending FYI the summer before school starts, or taking SUPP 101: Introduction to Higher Education

Consider the Honors Program

Take a variety of General Education courses to explore major possibilities

Seek Tutoring if you are struggling

Visit Educational Access Services if you have a documented disability

Obtain a hard copy of your CATALOG at the Office of the Registrar

If you have decided on a major:
1. View your currently declared major and
assigned advisor on MAVZONE
2. Declare your major if it is undeclared
3. Acquire and maintain a Program Sheet
4. Visit your Faculty Advisor to guide you in
Course Selection

If you are undecided about a major, the Advising & Career Center Staff can assist you in registering for the next semester and with major exploration

Join student groups or clubs

Visit the Advising & Career Center to begin career exploration

Utilize career assessments, such as Choices CT & the Strong Interest Inventory to learn more about yourself
Choices CT: find out your career profile, and research careers, occupations and graduate schools
Strong Interest Inventory: identify interests, abilities, and values as they pertain to potential careers

Visit the Employment Opportunities page to learn about on-campus and off-campus job listings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, and more

To learn about career possibilities for different majors visit the
What to do with a Major page

Attend Career Fairs to find out about part-time or summer employment and learn about employers and career possibilities

Use Optimal Resume to start creating a resume.

Sophomore Year

Seek Tutoring if you are struggling

Countinue using Educational Access Services if you have a documented disability

Take a variety of General Education courses to explore major possibilities

Obtain a copy of your CATALOG at the Office of the Registrar if you have not already

If you have decided on a major:
1. View your currently declared major and
assigned advisor on MAVZONE
2. Declare your major if it is undeclared
3. Acquire and maintain a Program Sheet
4. Visit your Faculty Advisor to guide you
in Course Selection

If you are undecided about a major, the Advising & Career Center Staff can assist you in registering for the next semester and with major exploration

To learn more about different majors and related career possibilities see
-- A Guide to Programs of Study
-- Programs of Study
-- What to do with a Major

Attend or join student groups or clubs

Visit the Advising & Career Center to begin career exploration

Utilize career assessments, such as Choices CT & Strong Interest Inventory
Choices CT: find out your career profile, research careers and occupations as well as graduate schools
Strong Interest Inventory: identify interests, abilities, and values as they pertain to potential careers

Write first draft of resume and attend our Resume/Cover Letter and Interviewing Workshops
Use Optimal Resume to create a professional resume

Visit the Employment Opportunities page to learn about on-campus and off-campus job listings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, and more

Attend Career Fairs to find out about part-time or summer employment and learn about employers and career possibilities

Attend the Employer Panel to prepare for the fair

Junior Year

Take on a leadership role in student organizations or clubs within your academic area

Participate in cooperative education and/ or internships--visit your Faculty Advisor to find out more information

Use MAVZONE:
1. To verify your major is declared
2. To verify you've been assigned a
Faculty Advisor
3. To access your transcripts and update
your Program Sheet(s)

Explore whether an academic minor will fit into your program that will diversify your academic training and provide you with more career possibilities

Make an appointment with your Faculty Advisor to make sure you are meeting the requirements for Graduation

Prepare and arrange for appropriate testing (GRE, MCAT, CPA exam, etc. …)

If you're considering changing your major, see the Advising & Career Center Staff for guidance

Update your Resume: for assistance, attend a FREE Resume/Cover Letter Workshop
Or use the FREE Optimal Resume Service to create a professional resume

Use Choices CT to help research potential careers and post-
baccalaureate educational options

To learn about career possibilities for different majors visit the
What to do with a Major page

Research graduate or professional schools in your area of interest by meeting with your Faculty Advisor and by using Choices CT

Research specific companies that would be interesting working sites after graduation or promising internship possibilities--see our Useful Links Job Seekers page

Visit the Employment Opportunities page to learn about on-campus and off-campus job listings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, and more

Attend Career Fairs to learn about employers, internships, and career possibilities

Prepare for Career Fairs by attending the Employer Panel and Employment readiness Workshops

Senior Year

Continue to take on a leadership role in student organizations or clubs within your academic area

Research graduate or professional schools in your area of interest by meeting with your Faculty Advisor and by using Choices CT

Pursue projects and activities within your academic area--see your Faculty Advisor for more information

Use MAVZONE to access your transcripts and update your Program Sheet(s)

Get the appropriate Graduation forms from the Office of the Registrar

The semester prior to graduation meet with your major and/or minor Faculty Advisor(s) to have your Program Sheet(s) and other documents signed and submitted for graduation

Prepare and arrange for appropriate testing (GRE, MCAT, CPA exam, etc. …)

Research specific companies that would be interesting working sites after graduation or promising internship possibilities--see our Useful Links Job Seekers page

Learn about job opportunities by visiting the Employment Opportunities page

Prepare resumes and cover letters for distribution--specific to each employer
Use the FREE Optimal Resume Service to create a professional resume

Ask for letters of recommendation from professors, faculty advisors, and/ or employers

Attend Career Fairs to learn about employers and career possibilities

Prepare for Career Fairs by attending the Employer Panel and Employment readiness Workshops

Advising & Career Center
Lowell Heiny Hall Rm #127
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 248-1177
acc@mesastate.edu

Academic Advising
Career Services
Employer Services
MAVmatch
Workshops

Other Areas of Interest
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   Testing
   Tutoring
MSC Human Resources

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