Career development is the process of making and implementing career decisions. It is helpful whether you have a clear vision or no ideas about what you want to do, and you can apply this process throughout your entire working life. Career development involves self-assessment, career exploration, reality testing and the development of job search strategies.

As Brown encourages you to be "an architect of your education," we also encourage you to be an architect of your life plan, which encompasses your career development and activities which will enrich your life and those of the community. The integration of Brown's strong liberal arts curriculum with thoughtful career development will help you to prepare for life beyond Brown!

Each of the following steps outlines the career development model.

STEP ONE: SELF-ASSESSMENT

The first step involves gathering information about yourself in order to make decisions about careers. You should develop an understanding of your values, interests, skills, and personality type. Structured assessments including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory are available to assist with this process.

STEP TWO: CAREER EXPLORATION AND RESEARCH

The second step involves investigating the world of work in greater depth by conducting print, online, and people research via informational interviews and networking.

STEP THREE: EXPERIENCE/REALITY TESTING

Here, you evaluate occupational choices and gain practical experience through internships, relevant summer employment, volunteer work, and campus activities.

STEP FOUR: JOB SEARCH/GRADUATE SCHOOL PREPARATION

In this final step, an initial occupational choice is made. You prepare for and conduct a job search, refine resumes and cover letters, gather letters of recommendation, conduct mock interviews, and/or apply to graduate or professional schools.

Keep in mind that everyone varies in their progress through each of these stages for many reasons. Students find themselves ready to explore careers and make decisions about their futures at different times. To follow is a suggested schedule that will help you work with Career Services during your time at Brown:

First and Second Years -- Exploration

• Visit Career Services during walk-in hours to learn about available resources.

• Meet with a counselor and conduct self-assessments to define your interests, skills, personality type, and values.

• Learn about the connection between concentrations/courses and specific careers.

• Gain experience through internships, volunteering, or paid employment.

• Attend a resume writing and cover letter workshop. Prepare a draft of your resume.

Junior Year – Looking Toward Life after Brown

• Explore options, build your resume, and gain further on-the-job experience.

• Conduct informational interviews with Brown alumni to focus your career interests.

• Rework or update your resume.

• Begin preparation for graduate or professional school by collecting letters of recommendation and preparing for standardized tests.

• Compile information about graduate programs, request applications.

Senior Year— Making Decisions

• Prepare applications for graduate or professional schools

• Take tests for graduate school admissions.

• Research companies and careers of interest.

• Meet with a career counselor to plan your job search.

• Attend workshops on job hunting and interviewing.

• Continue gaining skills and experience through internships.

• Compile a list of networking contacts. Continue to conduct informational interviews.

• Do a mock interview with a counselor.

• Fine-tune your resume and cover letters.

Please visit us at 167 Angell Street (the Hemisphere Building), call us at (401) 863-3326, or e-mail us at any time.