T H E

T R I T O N

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
2 0 1 5 - 2 0 1 6

E D I T I O N

LOCATED ON LIBRARY WALK | 858.534.3750 | CAREER.UCSD.EDU

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THE TRITON CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

READ ME FIRST! HOW TO MAKE
THE MOST OF YOUR GUIDEBOOK

Follow the
Frameworks

Explore and
Experiment

Use Your Resources

Your family, friends, and

support network can help you!
Research, investigate, and use
the many resources available
Use the templates and
worksheets in this guide to get to you online and in person
started
Complete the worksheets,
Then, adapt them, apply them, then get feedback and practice
from your support network,
and use them!
including friends, family,
peers, advisors and mentors
Use tools and strategies that
set you up for success

Try new things and reflect on

your experience
Actively use a learning
mindset: Be curious!
Investigate options, and
integrate them into your
overall goals

Reflect and Reassess

Check in with yourself
and your trusted advisors,
mentors, friends and family
How are things going?
Whats working?
What needs to change?
What would you like to
learn or experience next?

Get more resources, inspiration, information and support at career.ucsd.edu

CONTENTS

Your Triton Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Discovery Conversation Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Triton Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Discovery Conversation Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

You/Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Resume Review: When You Know the Code.... . . . . . . 15

You/Your Future/Goal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Evaluating Yourself. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Who Are You Now?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Your 60-Second Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Who Will You Become?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Sample Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Key Competencies, Skills, and Abilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Deciding if Graduate or
Professional School is Right for You . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Individual Learning Resource Action Plan. . . . . . . . . . . 9

Accomplishment Story Framework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Position/Opportunity Description
Analysis Framework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Discovery Conversation Request Framework . . . . . . . 12

Applying to Professional & Graduate School. . . . . . . . 20

Statement of Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Personal Career Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

YOUR TRITON EXPERIENCE

2
CREATE YOUR OWN TRITON EXPERIENCE
With so many experiences to choose from, how will you create your own unique Triton experience?
Start anywhereand go from there!

YOUR INDIVIDUAL
LEARNING PLAN
Whats your goal?
What resources will you use?
What actions will you take?

YOUR EXPERIENCES
Clubs
Organizations
Research projects
Work study

YOU

YOUR GOALS
Career
Research
Graduate school

YOUR SUPPORT
NETWORK
Who will help you?
Who will you meet?
Who will you support?

READY TO START?

TRITON ACTION PLAN

3
Professional
Goal/
Objective
What is your
professional
goal?

My professional goal is...

Education
My educational background includes...

Relevant Coursework
Some of the relevant courses Ive taken include...

Core
Message

Hi,
my
name
is

What will you

say about
yourself to
convince
Decision Makers
(employers,
admissions
committees,
etc.) in
your Target
Market that
you have the
experience and
qualifications
for their needs?

Skills and Qualifications

My key skills and qualifications include...

Experience
Some of my relevant accomplishments are...

My top 10 companies, organizations, graduate programs or schools

include... (because...)

Target
Market
What are
your target
companies,
organizations,
graduate
programs and
schools?

The top places I would like to live and work include...

YOU/NOW
4

(YOU/NOW)

Complete this page as you see yourself now

My name is
I would describe
myself as
I am

I am good at and enjoy...

I am motivated by...

I am interested in...

What someone with

my strengths, skills,
talents and abilities
could really.
...do.
...help a company
with.
...be remembered for.
One thing Ive done
that I am proud of
or happy about
accomplishing is
Follow this format
and write it out:
THE SITUATION
WAS
As a.
While I was
When I.
WHAT I DID
WAS
= Action Word + Subject
HOW I DID IT
WAS.
Describe how you
did it!
The RESULT was.
Quantify or qualify.
Numbers, rank,
testimonials.
Based on completing
this side of the
worksheet...
What I learned and
what Id like to do next
is

What I learned from this side......

My next action from this side is...

YOU/YOUR FUTURE/GOAL
5

(YOU/YOUR FUTURE/GOAL)

Complete this page as you see yourself in the future

My name is
My goal is

Strengths, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies I will need to reach my goal

The 9 key skills,

abilities, or
competencies I will
need to reach my goal
are

What Id be known for

accomplishing is

The story that would

be written about me
would be

What I learned from this side......

My next action from this side is...


Based on completing
this side of the
worksheet...
What I learned and
what Id like to do next
is

WHO ARE YOU NOW?

6

Who Are You NOW?

What strengths, talents, skills and abilities did you use to

become who you are? How did they help you?

Your values: Whats important to you? What do you believe

in?

Who are you now? How do you describe yourself?

How do your best friends describe you?
When youre at your best, what are you doing? Who are you helping?

Who helped you along the way?

Who do you rely on for support?
How did they support or help you?

What accomplishments and experiences are you most happy

about?
What are your top 5 accomplishments or experiences?

WHO WILL YOU BECOME?

7

Who Will You BECOME?

What accomplishments and experiences

are you most happy about?
What are your top 5 accomplishments or experiences?

What challenges do you expect on your path?

How will you overcome or deal with challenges and changes?

What is your BIG GOAL?

What will you be doing? Who are you helping?
What is your life like?

Who will help you along the way?

Who will you rely on for support?
Who will you need to meet along the way?

What accomplishments and experiences will you need to

accomplish your goal?

KEY COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

8
Heres What Employers and Graduate Schools Tell Us You Need to Succeed:
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Use the chart below to assess yourself and design a development action plan to help you strengthen your competencies.
Use classes, volunteer work, club involvement and anything else you can think of to identify, assess, and develop the
competencies you need to succeed.

Workplace Competencies
Teamwork

Service
Orientation

Planning &
Organizing

Creative
Thinking

Problem
Solving &
Decision
Making

Business
Fundamentals

Sustainable
Practices

Others (Fill in!)

Research

Others (Fill in!)

How will you develop your Workplace Competencies?

Academic Competencies
Critical
Thinking

Quantitative
Reasoning

Scientific
Inquiry

Written
Communication

Oral
Communication

How will you develop your Academic Competencies?

Personal Effectiveness Competencies

Interpersonal
Skills

Integrity

Professionalism

Initiative

Dependability &
Reliability

How will you develop your Personal Effectiveness Competencies?

Adaptability &
Flexibility

Lifelong
Learning

Others (Fill in!)

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING RESOURCE ACTION PLAN

9
Individual Learning Resource Action Plan
My goal:

Why its
important to me:

What it will
be like when I
accomplish this
goal
(How I will feel
and/or how it will
help me...):
Strengths, skills
and abilities I
will use to reach
this goal and
persist through
challenges:
Actions I will
need to take to
reach my goal:

Resources and
people I will
need:
Some of my key
takeaways and
learnings from
completing this
planning sheet
and process:
The very next
actions I can take
within 24 hours
to move myself
forward:
One person I can
share this with
for feedback and
support:

Reflect and
Review:

Get more resources and support, share your progress and more at: career.ucsd.edu

ACCOMPLISHMENT STORY FRAMEWORK

10
Accomplishment Story Framework

Story name

The situation or
challenge was...

The actions I
took were...
What I did was...

The result was...

What this shows

about me is...

A person who
could endorse or
recommend me
regarding this
is...

And what they

would say about
me on this
project is...

KEYWORDS:
Strengths, skills,
competencies
I used in
achieving this
accomplishment
include...
Get more resources and support, share your progress and more at: career.ucsd.edu

POSITION/OPPORTUNITY
DESCRIPTION ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK
11
Position/Opportunity Description Analysis Framework
Top requirements for the position (or graduate program):

You offer:

The Other 70%

Position/Organization/Program

You

Position/Organization/Program

You

Position/Organization/Program

You

Position/Organization/Program

You

Culture

Interests

Motivators

Skills

DISCOVERY CONVERSATION REQUEST FRAMEWORK

12

Discovery Conversation Request Framework

CONNECTCOMMUNICATEDISCOVER
Use this template and framework to support your success as you connect with people who can help you reach your goals. Adapt
and modify as you apply it, using new questions and information along the way.

Remember! You can always share your progress and success with us at career.ucsd.edu

Do this:

Connect:

Introduce yourself and

establish your common
connection

Communicate:

Share your purpose.

Focus the time
commitment and
request.
Remember, this is a
request.

Discover:

Ask your questions.

They dont need to be
perfect.
What do you want to
learn?

Close:

Thank the person

Ask if its okay to
update them on your
progress as you
continue on your
journey.

For example:

As a student at UC San
Diego in the same major as
you, I was curious if youd
be willing to share some
insight into the way your
degree helped you in your
professional path?

My purpose is to discover
options and possibilities for
my own path after UC San
Diego.
Would you be willing to
share 15 minutes of your
time for 3-4 questions to
help me on my way?

How did your UC San Diego

experience prepare you for
your current path?
(Get more questions
through research and using
resources!)

Thank you very much for

helping me learn more.
If its okay with you, may
I share my continued
progress in a few weeks?

Your version:

DISCOVERY CONVERSATION FRAMEWORK

13

Discovery Conversation Framework

CONNECTCOMMUNICATEDISCOVER
Use this template and framework to support your success as you connect with people who can help you reach your goals. Adapt
and modify as you apply it, using new questions and information along the way.

Remember! You can always share your progress and success with us at career.ucsd.edu

Questions to ask include:

How would you describe a
typical day or week in your
role? What key strengths,
skills, and abilities do you use
to succeed in your position?

What are the rewards and

challenges of this position?

What experiences are

most helpful for successful
preparation for (or transition
into) this field or position?

What are the key trends,

issues, opportunities and
challenges you see?

What are the most important

things I should consider as I
learn more about this field?

What other resources or

people should I connect with
or learn more about?

Would you be willing to refer

me to other people willing to
help me in my research and
exploration process?

Notes/responses:

DISCOVERY CONVERSATION RESULTS

14

Discovery Conversation Results

CONNECTCOMMUNICATEDISCOVER
Use this template and framework to support your success as you connect with people who can help you reach your goals. Adapt
and modify as you apply it, using new questions and information along the way.

Remember! You can always share your progress and success with us at career.ucsd.edu

I connected with
(name, organization, date):

And I learned:

My next action is:

RESUME REVIEW: WHEN YOU KNOW THE CODE...

15
Resume Review: When You Know the Code...
To answer this crucial question
for the hiring manager

the resume must

Does it?
YES

NO

Comments/Reactions:

Who are you?

How can I contact you?

clearly and concisely state

name and professional contact
information.

YES

What is your
professional position or
goal?

clearly state a specific

professional position that
matches a job/job posting

NO

Comments/Reactions:

oremployer/market need.
YES

What is your
background?
What are your key skills,
and abilities?

clearly state the key skills and

competencies required by &
related to the stated position.

Comments/Reactions:

YES

What is the unique,

distinct value you offer?

What is the competitive

advantage you offer
compared to others?

clearly communicate the

unique, distinct value this
person offers in a way that
clearly answers why someone
would hire this person.

clearly communicate recent,

relevant results that meet or
exceed the amount and kind
required by the position.

Whats your educational

background?

NO

Comments/Reactions:

YES

clearly communicate the

educational background that
meets (or slightly exceeds)
what the position requires.

NO

Comments/Reactions:

YES

What are your

recent, relevant
accomplishments
that show you can
successfully do this?

NO

Comments/Reactions:

NO

EVALUATING YOURSELF
16

Evaluating Yourself
An important part of deciding what you want to do is first understanding yourself. Self-evaluation will help you analyze what is
important in the work you choose and the kind of employer for whom you will work. Answer each question honestly. There are
no right or wrong answers.
1. What do you do best? Are these activities related to people, things or data? _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you communicate better orally or in writing? __________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you consider yourself a leader of a team or group? ___________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you see yourself as an active participant in a group or team? _________________________________________________________________
5. Do you prefer to work by yourself? _________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Do you prefer working under supervision? ________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Do you work well under pressure? _________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Does working under pressure cause you anxiety? ________________________________________________________________________________
9. Do you like taking responsibility? __________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Would you rather follow directions? _______________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do you enjoy new projects and activities? _________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Do you prefer to follow a regular routine? _________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Rank the following things in order of importance to you when thinking about a job:
Career Advancement ___________________________________

Prestige of Employer____________________________________

Location _________________________________________________

Salary____________________________________________________

People (Boss and Colleagues) __________________________

Type of Work_____________________________________________

14. Do you prefer to work a regular 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule or an irregular schedule? ______________________________________
15. Would you like a job with a lot of travel, a moderate amount, or a small amount? _______________________________________________
16. What kind of work environment do you prefer?
Indoors

Urban Setting

Outdoors

Suburban Setting

Rural Setting

17. What size of organization would you like to work for? ____________________________________________________________________________
18. Are you willing to move? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. Do you prefer to work for a nonprofit or for-profit organization? __________________________________________________________________
20. Are there other factors to consider? ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Adapted with permission from the University Career Services department at Rutgers University, New Brunswick Campus.

YOUR 60-SECOND COMMERCIAL

17

Your 60-Second Commercial

Use the following guidelines to develop an introduction when meeting employers during interviews, career days and other
networking events. Your goal is to create a positive and lasting impression in a brief amount of time.

Step 1: Research the Employer

1.Preview the list of organizations participating in the event and plan a strategy for the day. Put together an A list and a B
list of employers you want to target. Contact your career services office to see what employers may be recruiting on campus.
2.Research all the employers on your A list. Look for current facts about each employer, including new products, services or
acquisitions.
3.Write down some key facts about the employer:
(a) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(b) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.Review job descriptions pertinent to your major for employer requirements. Note specific knowledge, skills, and abilities they
seek. List academic or employment experiences and activities where you demonstrated these skills.
The employer is seeking:

My qualifications and selling points:

(a) ________________________________________________________ (a)___________________________________________________________________

(b) ________________________________________________________(b)___________________________________________________________________
(c) ________________________________________________________ (c)___________________________________________________________________
(d) ________________________________________________________(d)___________________________________________________________________
5.Review the employers mission statement and look for key words that indicate the personal qualities the organization
values in its employees. List 2 or 3 of your personal qualities that closely match.

My personal qualities:
(a)______________________________________(b)______________________________________(c)_______________________________________

Step 2: Develop Your Introduction

Review the sample below. Using the information above, prepare and practice a brief 60-second commercial or introduction to
use when meeting employer representatives.
Hello, my name is ____________. I am currently a junior, majoring in economics and working part-time as a supervisor at
Campus Information Services. This role has enhanced my communication, management, and leadership skills. In
addition, I had an internship over the summer with ABC Company where I worked in a team environment on a variety
of marketing and website development projects. I recently read an article about your companys plans for business
growth in the Northeast, and Im interested in learning more.
Notes:
Practice your introduction with a friend or career counselor so it sounds conversational rather than rehearsed.
You may want to break your opening remarks into two or three segments rather than delivering it all at once.
Good luck with your all-important first impression!
Adapted with permission from the University Career Services department at Rutgers University, New Brunswick Campus.

SAMPLE TIMELINE
18

Sample Timeline
Year 1

Summer

Year 2

Summer

Year 3

Summer

Year 4

Post-Bac/
Gap Year

Acquire introductory knowledge of the field/career/industry

Choose a major

Refine background knowledge in the field/career/industry

Take required pre-requisite courses for the field Consider departmental senior honors thesis program or
lab/research opportunities

Build relationships with faculty members as well as professionals outside of academia

Get involved in volunteer work or community service Take a leadership role

Develop and refine analytical

and reasoning skills

Conduct informational interviews and

shadow professionals in the field

Ask for letters of recommendation

for grad school/jobs

Work on statement of purpose/personal

statement, resume, CV, etc.

Prepare for professional and

graduate school application process

Get experiential learning through opportunities such as internships,

part-time work experience, service learning, study abroad, etc.

Explore and develop Personal Career Action Plan with a Career Advisor

DECIDING IF GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL

SCHOOL IS RIGHT FOR YOU
19

Deciding If Graduate or
Professional School is Right for You
What is the difference between graduate and professional school?
Graduate school tends to prepare students towards an academic career in research and teaching.

Professional schools prepare students for careers as practitioners in a specific field such as law,
business, and health professions.

What to consider when deciding.

Do you have a clear purpose and goal for

attending graduate school?
-What are my long- and short-term
goals?

When to attend.
Immediately After Graduation
Pros

Cons

Later
Pros

Cons

-What is necessary for me to achieve

these goals?
-What are the benefits of not going to
graduate school?
-How will a graduate degree add or
enhance my career path?
What are your values, interests, and
priorities for your career and life?
-What kind of work and experiences do
I find meaningful?
-What tools and skills do I already
have? Do I need to enlarge or expand
these tools and skills in order to have
a meaningful life?
Have you researched the graduate school
option in many different ways?
-What are the different kinds of
programs in my field and which will
most benefit my goals?
-What mentors do I have available?
How do I feel about their perspectives
and advice?
-What are the time and money
investments to take on a graduate
or professional degree? How will
those affect me? What about the
opportunity coststhe costs of
making one decision over another?
-Do I see myself succeeding in a
graduate or professional program?
-What can I do without a graduate or
professional degree?
Are you using graduate school to
postpone making a career decision?
Do you feel graduate school is the
automatic next step?

How will I finance my graduate or professional program?

What kind of funding opportunities and financial aid are available for the
program?
How much money will I have to borrow?
Will my salary be enough to cover the monthly loan payments after the
graduate program?
-
Loan repayment calculator/estimator:
http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml
https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/mobile/repayment/
repaymentEstimator.action
https://www.wellsfargo.com/student/calculators/alternative/

APPLYING TO GRADUATE OR
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
20

Applying to Professional & Graduate School

Research

Apply

Research and develop a list of potential graduate

program. Consider the following:

General application material for most graduate and

professional programs (check each program for
specifics as not all will apply)

Visit the Career Services Center to explore career goals

and preparation for graduate and professional school

Curriculum and degree requirements

Faculty and staff advising and support
Research, teaching, and internship opportunities
Funding opportunities and financial support

Research application deadlines and required material

for each program

On-line application form

Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement (see
CSC resources for difference)

Geographic location and size

Letters of recommendation (2-3 depending on

program)

Programs, resources and facilities within the

program but also at the university in general

Writing sample (for PhD programs and some

masters programs)

Research appropriate resources (LSAC, AAMC, ADA,

AACP, MBA.com, nursingworld.org, etc.)

Official transcripts from all higher education

institution attended

Meet with professors and other professionals in the

field(s) that interests you to learn more about the field
and possible recommendations for programs

Official scores from standardized exams (i.e. GRE,

LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, PCAT, DAT, VACT, OAT,
AHPAT, etc.)

Prepare

Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international

students onlycheck program to see which exam
is accepted)

Consider volunteering, involvement in organizations,

shadowing professionals, internships, part-time work
experience, or research opportunities
Create your resumedevelop it as your experience and
academic career progresses
Collect Letters of Recommendation as you network and
work with professors, professionals and mentors. Open
an interfolio.com account if appropriate for type of
graduate/professional program (optional)
Prepare and take appropriate standardized exams for
admission into graduate or professional program (i.e.
GRE, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, PCAT, DAT, VACT, OAT,
AHPAT, etc.)

Interview (mostly for professional programs such

as medical school and business school)
-
Use Big Interview (https://ucsd.biginterview.
com) and/or One Button Studio (https://
students.ucsd.edu/academics/experientiallearning/communication-leadership/
onebuttonstudio/) and attend interview practice
workshops at the Career Services Center
Resume
Supplemental or optional application material
(depends on program, not all have supplemental)
Application fee(s)

What to Do During a Gap Year

Obtain a paid internship or research experience
Become involved in an in-depth service commitment
Pay down credit card and/or undergrad debt
Learn a new culture or language

NOTE: Law school applicants apply through

LSAC but must also check specific programs for
additional information. Pre-health applicants
complete and submit your application via the
appropriate application service (i.e. AMCAS,
AACOMAS, CASPA, PHARMCAS, etc.)
Apply for FAFSA and financial aid available through
program; assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, etc.

Complete supplementary application materials

Interview or take campus tours at schools you applied

Visit the CSC website for more information on graduate

and professional programs in your area of interest.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
21

Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose or Statement of Intent is an
important part of the application for graduate programs.
Be concise and specific in preparing your statement.
Give information that will aid the selection committee in
evaluating your potential for success in the program. Your
Statement of Purpose should focus on the reasons you are
interested in attending a specific graduate program. Check
with each program to see if there are specific requirements
for the Statement of Purpose.

Primary topics to cover in your statement of

purpose:

1.What program you are applying to and why? State the

program to which you are applying, whether you are
seeking a masters or doctorate, sub-disciplines, and why
you are applying. The statement should explain your
purpose of pursuing graduate study and why you want to
attend that particular school and program.
2.What are your research interests? Indicate the specific
issues or concepts in the field are of interest or concern
to you, how you want to explore these issues and how
you became interested in it. When possible, be specific
about your research agenda. Establish that you have
demonstrated interest in the field, your preparation, and
fit for study in the field. Give the committee members
a sense of your particular talents and abilities and their
relevance to your academic interests.
3.What experiences have contributed toward your
preparation for further study in this field? Demonstrate
your interest by providing examples of coursework,
research, internships, work experience, community
service, publications, or life experiences. Make sure to
articulate what you have learned about the field and how
those experiences motivated you to pursue an advanced
degree.
4.What are your future goals? Explain how you intend to
use your graduate degree to pursue your academic and
professional goals.
5.How are you a match for the program to which you
are applying? Explain what attracts you most to the
institution/program. Indicate how the departments
curriculum, faculty, program and resources match your
research interests and academic and career goals. The
better the match with the program/professors, the
better the chance that you will be admitted.

Other factors to weave in when appropriate

(remember these are secondary factors):

Give examples of personal attributes or qualities that

would help you complete graduate study successfully.
Describe your determination to achieve your goals, your
initiative and ability to develop ideas, and your ability to
work independently.
Describe background characteristics that may have
placed you at an educational disadvantage (English
language learner, family economic and education
history, lack of educational opportunity, disability,
veteran status, non-traditional returning student, etc.).
Any special conditions or circumstances that the
admissions committee should be aware of. Any
problems or inconsistencies in your records or scores,
such as a bad quarter. Any special conditions that are
not revealed elsewhere in the application, such as a
significant (35 hour per week) workload outside of
school. Explain in a positive manner. In some instances,
it may be more appropriate to discuss this outside of the
statement of purpose.
Leave the reader believing that you are prepared for
advanced academic work and will be successful in
graduate school.
Notes: For either type of application essay, follow these
general guidelines for style and format:
Stick to the length and content requirements the school
provides, if any. Two typed pages are typically sufficient.
Use a professional tone (no gimmicks) and be direct.
Your purpose is to inform, not entertain.
Organize your ideas logically to effectively communicate
to the reader. Make sure they understand you.
Be concise. Be clear. Be specific. Keep it simple.
Be positive, honest and personalthey want to know
more about YOU!
Proofread your essay. Have it read and critiqued by
others.

Help is available! The Career Services Center offers guides to

writing your essays, examples of successful essays and a free
essay critique service. Visit the CSC website to learn more.

MY PERSONAL CAREER ACTION PLAN

Name: ________________________________________

Quarter: ____________________________

Career Advisor: ______________________________

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

1. Create a Career Action Plan

Does not demonstrate

understanding of next steps
in the career development
process

Lists next steps but does not

describe them

Describes at least one thing that

she/he plans to do or has done
as a result of a meeting with a
career advisor

Describe 1-3 things she/he

plans to do or has done as a
result of meeting with you

2. Professional Objective

Lists a professional objective

Lists only one job title

List 1-3 professional objectives

but does not make a connection
to his/her interests/skills,
personality and or values

List 1-3 careers and

demonstrates reflection on how
they match his/her interests,
skills personality and or values

3. Experience (non-paid and

paid, volunteer, community
service, etc.)

Is not able to identify an any

past or current experience

Able to 1-2 experiences or

accomplishments that are
specific to the desired position

Able to list 1-4 experiences

and accomplishments and can
articulate the experiences orally

Describes multiple internship/

jobs search strategies and
demonstrates understanding of
the search process

4. Professional Portfolio
(position analysis, resume,
cover letter, list of references)

Is not able to identify three

components to a cover letter or
resume

Describes or provides
1-2 examples of resume
improvements but the
response lacks specificity

Writes three specific

examples of resume/cover
letter improvements and
demonstrates understanding of
resume writing principles

Has a completed well defined

cover letter, resume, position
analysis and a reference sheet a complete career tool kit

5. Salary Negotiation
(communication)

Able to state 1-2 resources on

how to research benchmark
salaries for the desired position
interested in

Able to negotiate skills valued

by employer

Able to communicate a desired

salary range along with
negotiable factorsadditional
vacation, flexible schedule,
day care, transportation
reimbursement, housing
subsidy, wardrobe allowance,
title, severance package, office
and tuition reimbursement

Able to communicate a desired

salary range along with
negotiable factorsadditional
vacation, flexible schedule,
day care, transportation
reimbursement, housing
subsidy, wardrobe allowance,
title, severance package, office
and tuition reimbursement

6. Learn How to Communicate

Effectively to Employers/
Graduate/Med School
Admissions Committee
(networking)

Introduces self but does not

effectively communicate skills,
interests, and or values

Introduce self and describes

some professional goals,
interests, and or values

Introduces self and describes

professional goals, interests
and value but does not make
an effective connection with
the field of interest position/
employer or graduate school

Demonstrates reflection while

introducing self and describing
professional goals, interests
and values while making a
connection with the field of
position, employer or graduate
school

Total
(1) Beginner (2) Developing (3) Accomplished (4) Advanced

Name: ________________________________________

MY PERSONAL CAREER ACTION PLAN

Quarter: ____________________________

Career Advisor: ______________________________

Career Goals

Educational Plans

Graduate School

Career Related Experience

My overall goals are:

My potential/declared academic major:

My potential graduate schools or

programs related to my career goals:

Internships/other experiences that would

support my career preparation:

Job functions that interest me:

How does potential/declared major(s)

relate to my career goal?

Preparation required to be eligible for

grad/professional school admissions:

Optimal time(s) for planning these

experiences:

Industries Im interested in:

General education courses that might

support my career development:

Key faculty or staff who can help me

explore my options:

Connecting with alumni professionals

through career discovery(informational
interviews, job shadowing experience):

Priority locations for work:

Elective courses which will enhance my

career development:

Timeline for application process:

On/off campus jobs which would

contribute to my career preparation:

Follow-up steps in the next 3-6 months:

Follow-up steps in the next 3-6 months:

Follow-up steps in the next 3-6 months:

Follow-up steps in the next 3-6 months:

ADVERTISER INDEX
Career Opportunities
California National Guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Clark County School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Graphiq. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Leidos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover
Sharp HealthCare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
U.S. Marine Corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Educational Opportunities
Alliant International University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Bastyr University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
University of California Center Sacramento, UCCS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Rady School of Management at UC San Diego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
California State University, San Marcos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Northeastern University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
San Diego State University, American Language Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Santa Clara University, School of Education and
Counseling Psychology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF),
Master of Finance Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
St. Georges University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover
Stanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
University of San Diego. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
College Recruitment Media and the University of California, San Diego
Career Services Center wish to thank the above participating sponsors
for making this publication available to students.

LOCATED ON LIBRARY WALK | 858.534.3750 | CAREER.UCSD.EDU