So You’re a Freshman…

Kathleen Rause

Welcome to Penn! The fact that you are already reading this blog makes you a proactive career-planning superstar. Of course, freshman year should be a time to make friends, get acquainted with Penn, explore academic interests, get involved in co-curricular activities, and have fun! But it is never too early to acquaint yourself with Career Services (check out our manual for a great introduction) and start thinking about career planning and career goals.

First, get familiar with the Career Services website. It can be a bit overwhelming, but only because there is so much great information and so many awesome resources. To help as you begin to navigate the career planning process, here are a few places to start:

Career Services Website:

1. Career Resources by Field – a great way to learn about and explore opportunities in different career fields.
2. Informational Interviewing – one of the best ways to build your network and gain knowledge of career fields. We offer an explanation of informational interviewing, tips and sample questions.

Databases:
1. PACNet (Penn Alumni Career Network): This database of Penn alumni who can offer career advice and guidance to students with career questions. An EXCELLENT place to start when setting up informational interviews.
2. iNet – database with internship and summer opportunities in a broad range of geographic locations.
3. PennLink – Penn’s job and internship database, with listings of employers coming to campus for on-campus recruiting (OCR), as well as those who are not. You will also find listings of employer information sessions.

Social networks:
4. LinkedIn* – “Professional Facebook.” Create a profile now and begin connecting with you peers, professors, advisers, recruiters, and—most importantly—those you meet for informational interviews, at career fairs or through professional associations/events.
(*Also attend “How LinkedIn Can Advance Your Career” on November 29.)
Of course you are welcome to make an appointment with a career counselor – we would love to meet you in person.

Until then, enjoy freshman year and good luck at Penn!

Author: Kathleen

Kathleen Rause is a former graduate intern for the Wharton Undergraduate counseling team. She is a graduate of Penn's Graduate School of Education.