For Students

Set Up
Your Career Management Tools

• Log into your Handshake account to complete your profile, select your career interest areas, and discover upcoming events, workshops, and internship/job opportunities.
• Create a LinkedIn profile to keep track of your college accomplishments and begin researching Pepperdine alumni career paths by major. 

Create
a
Resume

• Create a college-level resume to apply for on-campus and part-time jobs, internships, research, networking, graduate schools, study abroad, and other opportunities.
• Use our First Year Resume Template to get started.
• Upload your resume to Handshake for feedback. 
• For additional information on resumes, visit our resume page.

Get
Involved

• Explore and join a club or student organization related to your major or career interests.
• Begin building experience through an on-campus job, volunteering, research opportunities, and other leadership positions.
• Develop relationships with faculty and staff by visiting them during office hours.
• Participate in at least one Career Center event including the Job Shadow Program, Alumni Panels, and Employer Information Sessions. For the most updated schedule of events, check out the Career Center Events Calendar and follow us on Instagram @SeaverCareers.

Get
Advice

• Make an appointment with a career advisor to explore different career options and opportunities related to your major. You can also complete career assessments to evaluate your interests, personality, skills, and values. 

Stay on
Track

• Review and complete the First Year Action Plan if you haven't already.
• Update your resume using VMock by incorporating summer experiences, volunteer work, activities, achievements, and class projects. Upload it to Handshake to easily apply for jobs and internships. 

Explore Careers &
Build Your Network

• Attend multiple Career Center events to increase your exposure to different careers. Check out the Career Center Events Calendar and follow us on Instagram @SeaverCareers for the full list of upcoming events. 
• Take a career assessment such as the Strong Interest Inventory or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. 
• Connect assignments, presentations, and projects to your fields of interest and continue developing expertise in these areas. 
• If you are considering graduate or professional school, begin researching different schools that specialize in your area of interest. Review graduate school admission requirements and work with your academic advisor and the Career Center to learn more about the application process. 
• Use LinkedIn and PeppConnect to see alumni career paths, conduct informational interviews, and grow your professional network with connections and alumni in your fields of interest. 
• Apply to participate in the Career Coaching Program to be matched with a career mentor and enhance your professional development.

Strengthen
Interview Skills

• Schedule a mock interview with a career advisor to receive feedback and coaching.
• Complete courses on the LinkedIn Learning Online Training Library.
• Practice your elevator pitch.

Gain
Experience

• Apply for internships and jobs to gain experience. These experiences will help you explore careers, obtain some of the skills that employers seek, and meet professionals in your industry of interest.
• Search Handshake, LinkedIn, and PeppConnect for jobs and internships. 
• Join at least one club or organization related to your major or career interests and take on a leadership role (e.g., treasurer, new program developer). 
• Demonstrate your commitment to the community by participating in at least one volunteer activity or service learning project. 

Get
Advice

• Make an appointment with a career advisor and discuss your career interests, conduct a mock interview, and learn more about job search strategies.

Stay on
Track

• Review and complete the First and Second Year Action Plans if you haven't already.
• Update your resume using VMock to include your most relevant experiences, academic projects, achievements, and top skills. Upload the latest version to Handshake to easily apply to internships, research opportunities, and jobs.
• Use your LinkedIn profile to further market your skills, sustain connections, and search for jobs. Reference LinkedIn’s student resources for tips on making the most of the platform. 

Build Experience

• Get a job or internship and continue developing the essential skills for your field of interest. Your internship and work experience between the summer of junior and senior year is especially important for your future job search. Check Handshake and LinkedIn for internship and job postings. 
• Investigate your target industry and identify the key skills necessary to be competitive in the field. Be aware of trends and recruiting schedules for different industries and companies.
• If you are considering graduate or professional school, research schools that specialize in your area of interest and work closely with your academic advisor and the Career Center staff to strengthen your application. Begin studying for the applicable admissions tests.
• Continue your participation in a club or organization and increase your involvement by running for a leadership role (e.g., committee chair, vice president).
• Demonstrate your commitment to the community by participating in at least two volunteer activities or service-learning projects.

Expand Your Network

• Expand your professional network and seek out professionals in your field of interest who are willing to act as mentors.
• Apply to participate in the Career Coaching Program to be matched with a career mentor and enhance your professional development.
• Attend Career Center Events to meet with potential employers and learn more about companies, industries, internships, and job possibilities. 
• Gather career information by participating in Job Shadow Day, conducting an informational interview, and networking.
• Leverage PeppConnect to connect with Pepperdine alumni for a resume review, gain industry insights, or have a career conversation. 

Polish Your
Interviewing Skills

• Practice your interviewing skills by participating in a mock interview at the Career Center or through PeppConnect. 

Get
Advice

• Make an appointment with a career advisor and discuss your career interests, conduct a mock interview, and learn more about job search strategies.

Stay on 

Track

• Review and complete the First, Second, and Third Year Action Plans if you haven't already.
• Update your resume using VMock to include your most relevant experiences, academic projects, achievements, and top skills. Upload the latest version to Handshake to easily apply to internships, research opportunities, and jobs.
• Ensure that your resume and LinkedIn profile look as polished as possible for prospective employers. Seek feedback from a career advisor at the Career Center to create a targeted resume and profile for the recommended industry standards.

Enhance Your
Network

• As you seek out post-grad opportunities, leverage your alumni network on PeppConnect to get practical support and discover job possibilities. 
• Build strong relationships with your professors, mentors, and professional network, especially as you prepare to request job references and recommendation letters.

Seek
Employment

• Attend Career Center Events to meet with potential employers and learn more about companies, industries, and job opportunities. 
• Strengthen your interviewing skills by participating in a mock interview at the Career Center or through PeppConnect.
• Review job and internship postings on Handshake, follow companies of interest, and set job alerts for new postings and opportunities. 
• Demonstrate your commitment to the community by participating in at least two volunteer activities or service-learning projects.

Apply for
Graduate School

• Finalize the components of your graduate or professional school application with the support of academic advisors and the Career Center staff.
• Increase your involvement in a club or organization by running for a leadership role (e.g., committee chair, or president). Employers value strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in job seekers. 
• Get letters of recommendation. Give faculty members one to three months of advance notice and share your resume or CV with them as well. Write your personal statement. The Writing Center offers assistance with this.

Get
Advice

• Make an appointment with a career advisor to discuss a personalized job search strategy and identify your next steps.