Overview of Career Planning Journey  

A. Lots to do but manageable if taken one step at a time like senior research

B. Aiming for grad school, career job, fun interlude, international travel? Looking for something directly related to Sociology?

C.  Good news! The skills and knowledge acquired by sociology grads are valued in the marketplace and leave many options open to you

• What can I do this major? (http://www.skidmore.edu/administration/career/majors/)
• Monster - Major to Career Converter (http://content.monster.com/tools/careerconverter/)
• Sociology is a foundation for entry into many professional schools – common options – Law, Social Work, Public Policy, Public Health, College Student Personnel, Business, Public Administration. How many professional degrees can you name?

• For those with strong writing skills and an interest in Women’s Issues – Public Relations/Communications for Women’s Group
• For those who are fascinated by television – Media Planner for an Ad agency
• Strong research skills and an interest in consumer behavior – market research
• Verbally adept with a persuasive nature – account manager for consumer products firm; fund raiser for a college
• Curious about people, good interviewer and listener – Recruiter for college or employer
• Organizational skills and interpersonal finesse – meeting planner, special events planner
• Intrigued by relationships and empathic nature – marriage/couples counselor.

E. Researching/testing out options next step

• Exploring Careers - Read about as many options as possible.(http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/option.cfm)
• Informational interviews with alumni contacts (Career Network) (http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/network/)
• Job Shadowing in January and Spring Break
  (http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/resources/jobshadow.cfm)
• Spring and Summer internships (http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/interncentral)
• All of these are great job search strategies as well!

F. Job Search - Posted opportunities

• Students can get all passwords with your Skidmore user name and password
• Recruiting Programs in Boston, NYC, Chicago, DC and West Coast
  http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/jobs/rec.cfm
• Skidmore College CareerLink
• Other Entry Level Job Sites (http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/jobs/entry.cfm)
• Sociology – (http://www.skidmore.edu/administration/career/sociology.htm)
• Jobs by Field - See Sociology, Social Activism, and Non-Profit. (http://www.skidmore.edu/administration/career/field.htm)

• Networking - http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/network
• Direct contact with employers - http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/interncentral/careersearch.cfm
• Prospecting – Contact researchers doing interesting work, join professional associations and network with members, go to conferences

I. Complete Senior Registration (http://cms.skidmore.edu/career/resources/registration.cfm) and receive specific messages about opportunities and resources related to your interests.

J. Resume Development - Incorporate non-employment experiences, which document relevant skills - i.e "Research Experience " including Senior Thesis and Independent Study and cocurricular activities

• What questions do you have based on your experience drafting a resume and reviewing our Resume Guide?