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Career Center, Santa Clara University

Junior Guide

 

Strategies for Career Success in your Junior Year

 


Overview

Junior year is when most students really begin to get serious about pursuing their career goals. It's important to start planning for a summer internship or other experiential learning opportunity early on in your junior year. Follow the steps in this guide to get a head start on the competition and achieve career success!


Step 1: The Basics

  • Start Early! — Companies start recruiting for summer interns 10-16 months in advance. This is especially true of large companies with very competitive internships.

  • Schedule a job search strategy appointment with a Career Coach — Our team of career coaches will help you develop an internship and job search strategy.

    Which career coach should you meet with?
  • Update your profile in Handshake Handshake is your one-stop-shop for all of your career needs. Claim your free Handshake account to complete your profile, select career interest areas, register for upcoming events, and apply for jobs and internships.

  • Update your resume — Use VMock, our free A.I. resume review tool. (Watch this 5 tips video and this VMock demo to get started.) Once your resume is finished, upload it to Handshake to start applying to jobs and internships.

  • Practice your interviewing skills — Use Big Interview to practice your interviewing skills. Record your answers and watch the recording by yourself or with a trusted friend or advisor. How can you improve?

  • Dive deep into the Job Prep Toolkit — A comprehensive collection of resources to help you explore careers, develop your resume, practice your interviewing skills, build your network, and more.

Step 2: Know Yourself

  • Complete a self-assessment on Focus2 — Log into Focus2 to complete a variety of career self-assessments.
     
    • Work Interest Assessment
    • Values Assessment
    • Personality Assessment
    • Skills Assessment
    • Leisure Assessment
    • Academic Strengths Assessment
    • Career Readiness Assessment
    • Major and Career Exploration
  • Values Inventory - Learn how to identify current values and reflect on how they might influence your career decisions. Check out our video and leverage the following tools to capture what you currently value:
  • Share your results — We recommend sharing your assessment and values inventory results with your career coach, academic advisor and faculty advisor, all of whom can help you identify next steps based on your results.

Step 3: Discover the Possibilities


Step 4: Participate in Experiential Learning Activities


Step 5: Explore the Santa Clara Network

  • Bronco Exchange is an exclusive and easy-to-use platform that connects Santa Clara University students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends in a global, virtual community. Whatever your goals, there’s a Bronco in your corner ready to help.

Prepare for Your Senior Year

Have you completed all of the recommended steps for juniors? Look ahead to senior year.

 

Job Prep Toolkit

Visit our Job Prep Toolkit for more resources.

  • Jobs and Internships

    Explore hundreds more opportunities in Handshake


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