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Parents and Family Programs

All Classes

Quick Guide Year by Year:

 First-Year: Adjust to College

  • Meet the Career Center coaches during walk-in hours at The Ingram Commons to learn more about their services
  • Create a resume and have a coach review it
  • Academics and Course Selection: Focus on exploring interests, values, and skills and completing AXEL (general education) requirements
  • Explore co-curricular opportunities and get involved in organizations and clubs
    • Create a profile on AnchorLink to learn more about the various groups on campus
  • Visit the Global Education Office and plan ahead for the best time to study abroad
  • Make use of the great academic enhancement services on campus (tutoring, writing studio, study skills)
  • Practice time management! The flexible schedule of college life can be hard to adapt to!

 Sophomore Year: Explore Academics and Career Options Broadly

  • Begin to complete AXEL requirements; select 3 potential majors and speak with the director of undergraduate studies in each of the 3 departments to learn more about requirements of study.
  • Explore opportunities for undergraduate research like the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Summer Research Program
  • Meet with a career coach and attend career events to find an internship or summer opportunity
  • Determine which student organizations are the best fit
  • Consider studying abroad this year or next
  • Plan ahead for the summer—job, internship, research, or summer school
  • Declare a major by the end of your sophomore year

Junior Year: Experience Academic Depth and Start to Define Career Options

  • Keep working with the Career Center to develop your plans
  • Explore graduate school options and schedule any admittance exams needed (LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, etc.)
  • Take on leadership roles in student organizations
  • Log into the YES system and confirm your progress to degree completion.
  • Participate in service opportunities
  • Consider studying abroad this year
  • If your major field of study has an honors program, consider participating and writing an honors thesis

 Senior Year: Culminating Experiences and Transition to Life After College

  • Update your resume
  • Hone your strategies for job searching by working with the Career Center
  • Apply to graduate school
  • Plan ahead for Commencement
  • Confirm academic standing with your advisor
  • Remember the Career Center offers access to a limited number of services and resources for up to two years following graduation
  • Participate in career fairs and on campus interviews.