Where Do I Start?
Chances are you came to the Career Development site because you have questions:
- How do I know which occupation is right for me?
- What kind of jobs can I get with my major?
- I heard that I need to do an internship. Were do I find one?
- How do I write a résumé?
- Where do I look to find a job?
- Should I go to graduate school?
Sound familiar? If so, don't panic—you're in the right place! Career Development is here to help you with all of your career-related needs. Whether you are in your first year, in your last year, or anywhere in between, our professional counselors and consultants can guide you through your career-development process.
The key is to begin early; your first year is the best time to start. Be sure to follow the Pitt Pathway or the Outside the Classroom Curriculum, the campus-wide program that can help you to achieve academic, personal and professional success. Meet with a career counselor to discover (or confirm) your interests, values, and personality type to make sure that you are making the best choice for your future. If you are past your first year and don't know what you want to do, it isn't too late; your career counselor will work with you wherever you are in your planning.
Once you've made a career choice, schedule an appointment with your career consultant to ready yourself for internship opportunities, get started on your résumé or prepare for your job search. The career consultants are the experts in teaching you how to find a job, so use their services; also, take advantage of events like job fairs and the on-campus interviewing program to connect with employers right here at Pitt.
Remember, it's your future and your success—Career Development is here to help you move to that next step. We hope to see you soon!
Career Action Plan
Contact us at 412-648-7130 or at careers@pitt.edu to learn more about the services provided by the Career Development Office. By participating in the following activities, you will be well on your way to achieving your career goals.
The services and suggestions stated in the diagram are for informational purposes only and are not intended as professional advice. Students should consult a career consultant to discuss their unique career questions. Information for graduate students and alumni is contained in respective sections of this website.
First Year
Must Do
- Activate a FutureLinks account.
- Work with a career counselor or consultant to create a résumé.
- Complete an assessment to help you explore a major or career.
Should Do
- Learn more about companies by attending a job and internship fair.
- Job shadow a professional for a day at a company that interests you or with a Pitt alumnus.
- Engage in Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) activities.
- Attend job and internship fairs.
Could Do
- Attend the Reflection Retreat.
- Network with alumni at Pathway to Professions.
- Join an on-campus club or organization and seek opportunities to develop career skills.
Sophomore Year
Must Do
- Meet with a career counselor/consultant to review your résumé.
- Upload your résumé into FutureLinks.
- Attend the Reflection Retreat to discover career options.
Should Do
- Attend job and internship fairs.
- Research internship opportunities.
- Participate in mock interviews and informational interviews.
- Become a leader of an on-campus club or organization and seek opportunities to develop career skills.
- Engage in Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) activities.
Could Do
- Consider study abroad, an internship abroad, or a travel experience for your junior year.
- Network with alumni at Pathway to Professions.
- Attend the Big East Career Week and Job/Internship Fair.
Junior Year
Must Do
- Meet with a career counselor/consultant to develop your career plans and update your résumé.
- Participate in mock interviews and informational interviews.
- Attend job and internship fairs.
Should Do
- Network with alumni at Pathway to Professions and online at the Pitt Career Network.
- Strongly consider completing an internship.
- Become a leader of an on-campus club or organization and seek opportunities to develop career skills.
- Engage in Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) activities.
Could Do
- Volunteer in an area of interest to help you gain career experience within your field.
- Attend the Big East Career Week and Job/Internship Fair.
Senior Year
Must Do
- Attend Senior Launch.
- Begin the job search or graduate school admissions process.
- Meet with specialists from the Student Employment and Placement Assistance Office to discuss career opportunities.
- Use FutureLinks often to identify interview opportunities.
- Attend job and internship fairs.
Should Do
- Attend Real World Week.
- Network with alumni at Pathway to Professions and online at the Pitt Career Network.
- Participate in mock interviews and informational interviews.
- Attend the Big East Career Week and other off-campus career fairs.
- Engage in Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) activities.
Could Do
- Participate in a professional association.
- Attend a local, regional, or national professional association convention.
Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC)
The University of Pittsburgh introduced the Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) at the start of the 2008 fall semester. This program provides students with a program to help them develop important personal attributes and professional skills.
Students who choose to participate in the OCC will attend a specific number of events per year designed to foster growth in nine key areas including leadership, developing a sense of self, career preparation, participation in the University Community, sharpening communication skills, global and cultural awareness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, demonstrating service to others, and cultivating an appreciation for the arts.
Career Preparation is a key component of the OCC, and the Career Development Office provides a plethora of programs, services, and experiences to help fulfill the requirements of this program.
You can receive OCC credit through participating in programs provided by the Career Development including, but not limited to:
- Registering for a Future Links account
- Mandatory résumé creation and review
- Attending a Pathway to Professions event
- Attending a Reflection Retreat
- Participating in a Mock Interview
- Becoming a Peer Educator
For more options, review the requirements for the OCC.