Know your limits

Be honest with yourself about your strengths and your weakness. Find help and resources to build on your strengths and to address areas for improvement. If you find writing a challenge, visit the Graduate Writing Center. If you are not sure what you want to do with your degree, make an appointment with a career counselor at Career Services.

Create a plan

Having a one to two year strategic plan at any given time is very useful. For example, start planning your summer when the academic year begins so you have several months to research and think through options before it arrives. Explore internships, research fellowships, and short-term research programs. Your research and interests might take a 90-degree turn during the course of a week, but having a plan helps you stay focused and adapt to changes. It also helps to put things into perspective and keep the big picture in mind.

Develop key skills

Finding an internship is a lot like finding a job. The process helps to hone interview skills and learn company culture with low stakes. It’s a risk-free method to sample a career and put experience on your resume.

Don't give up

Don’t close doors too early. Give due diligence when opportunities come up. Sometimes mentors can help to identify your short-sightedness.

Expand your search

Explore opportunities with organizations on and off campus. This is a great way to cultivate effective communication, time management, and program management skills. It is very useful to bring this experience back to your research and/or job hunt and looks good on your resume. Watch for calls for participation and read your email – you can find interesting opportunities embedded in them.

Explore new opportunities

Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. For example, take on a leadership role if you have never done so; you will learn team-building and leadership skills that you will use for the rest of your graduate school and professional career.