Ready Day 1 Career Plan

The Office of Career and Professional Development recommends the Ready Day 1 Career Plan to assist Georgia Southern students in preparing for life after graduation and to be career ready! This plan was developed based on Career Readiness competencies and standards that employers are looking for. Students can even take their goals for career readiness to the next level by becoming “Ready Day 1 Certified.” Certified students will receive a special cord at graduation and ensure employers they are, in fact, ready for success on the first day.

• Take a career assessment and meet with your Career & Internship Advisor
• Conduct informational interviews and job shadowing with professionals in your career field of interest
• Get involved! Participate in activities and explore campus organizations. Eagle Engage is a great place to start
• Enroll in GSU 2131: Career Exploration
• Explore career readiness competencies to learn about what employers are looking for in candidates
• Seek part-time, summer, and volunteer opportunities to explore career interests and gain valuable experience
• Research companies of interest for internship or co-op opportunities
• Clean up your social media profiles
• Create a Handshake profile and download the app

• Gain experience by job shadowing, volunteering, conducting research, and finding internships, co-ops, or job opportunities that align with your goals
• Create your résumé and upload it to Handshake
• Practice interview skills by conducting a mock interview with your Career & Internship Advisor or through Big Interview
• Meet with your Career & Internship Advisor to create your career competency development plan
• Acquire leadership experiences through involvement in campus organizations
• Build your network and create a LinkedIn profile
• Attend career fairs and other networking events
• Participate in a study abroad program
• Research graduate school options
• Consider applying for the Legislative Internship Program

• Start your job search early: 9 months to 1 year before graduation
• Enroll in GSU 2132: Professional Development Seminar
• Update your résumé and make it visible in Handshake
• Sign up for on-campus interviews and apply for jobs through Handshake
• Participate in career fairs and other networking events
• Solidify your LinkedIn profile
• Reach out to the network you have built throughout the years
• Continue to develop your career readiness competencies
• If considering graduate school, take the required entrance exams and apply for admission
• Consider applying for the Eagle Mentoring Program