Career Progression

To learn how the USF Office of Career Services and the USFSP Career Center can assist you with your career development from the time you enter the University until you are settled in the workforce, watch this short video: http://bit.ly/usfcps1.


Career Progression Phases

What phase of career progression are you in?

Phases of career development for a college student do not always follow a linear pattern, as students are able to return to any phase if needed. Look at the four phases of career progression below. Can you identify which phase you are in? Remember, no matter what phase of career progression you are working on, the USF Office of Career Services can assist you.


Phase 1A: Getting into the Best Fit Major: http://bit.ly/cscm-s1

Use the My Career Path Worksheet to guide you through this phase.

Mini Goals:

  1. Learning about yourself by taking career assessments
  2. Learning about the workforce and what job opportunities will be open to you based on your curriculum and transferable skill sets
  3. Researching majors and finding the one that will support your career objectives.
  4. Re-selecting a major when you realize that you either no longer want to stay in a chosen major or when you no longer meet the requirements to stay in the major


Phase 1B: Determining Career Direction

Mini Goals:

  1. Using assessments and other tools (as needed) to determine potential career direction
  2. Conducting research into careers of interest
  3. Conducting informational interviews to deepen knowledge
  4. Determining desired direction
  5. Charting a course, with initial timeline, to achieve desired direction

Use the My Career Path Worksheet to guide you through Phase 1.


Phase 2: Finding and Gaining Career-Related Experiences (aka Becoming Career-Ready): http://bit.ly/2N3mDl6

Mini Goals:

  1. Being able to list experiences that would help prepare you for your chosen career path
  2. Knowing where to find these experiences
  3. Knowing how to effectively describe these experiences on a resume
  4. To learn how to earn career readiness badges that give evidence to transferable skills you have gained through your curriculum and extra-curricular activities, visit this website: https://www.usf.edu/career-services/career-ready/index.aspx
  5. Attain desired relevant experience (this may be repeated with multiple internships, micro-internships, volunteer activities, and so on).

Use the Phase 2 Worksheet to guide you through this process.


Phase 3: Considering Graduate School: http://bit.ly/2Sr6KuW

Mini Goals:

  1. Being able to verbalize what an advanced degree will do for you
  2. Knowing what graduate programs will prepare you for what you want to do
  3. Listing the important aspects of a graduate program - your preferences of ogeographic location, financial assistance, etc.
  4. Knowing how to research graduate programs
  5. Being able to investigate funding options
  6. Familiarity with the graduate application process and how to be successful in the process
    1. Development of a letter of intent/cover letter/resume
    2. Personal Statement
    3. References
    4. Other requested documents (i.e., transcripts)


Phase 4: Securing a Full-time Position: http://bit.ly/2TKBG61

Mini Goals:

  1. Being able to list occupational titles for your job search
  2. Knowing where to find employment opportunities
  3. Creating a resume that will result in interview invitations
  4. Creating a cover letter that describes why you are applying for the position and qualifications you bring
  5. Comfortable in the interviewing process and knowing if and how to negotiate a starting salary
  6. Knowing what to do to have a successful first year of employment

Use our Virtual Job Search Guide to assist you with this process.

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Note: Although the videos and information via the links on this page were compiled by USF in Tampa most all services and programs are also available at USF St. Pete or to St. Pete students at Tampa.