Here are helpful suggestions to help students plan out their four years at Harvey Mudd College.

First Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year

First Year
Visit the OCS and get to know the staff.
Meet with the OCS staff to discuss your goals and begin to identify your interests, abilities and values.
Clarify your interests and skills through classes, student organizations, community service and a possible internship.
Identify potential majors that relate to your interests and abilities; discuss plans with your academic adviser.
Take advantage of relevant career workshops, programs and events.
Keep your grades up and seek help if necessary through faculty, friends and tutors.
Establish relationships with faculty members, staff and administrators who will assist you.
Start your own career folder/file and maintain it with relevant information throughout your college years.
Write your résumé and cover letter, and conduct a summer internship campaign. 

Sophomore Year
Narrow down your choices for a major; meet with faculty to get some clarification.
Attend career workshops and programs.
Conduct informational interviews regarding your choice of major or careers.
Obtain relevant work experience through an internship, summer job or volunteer position.
Begin to identify the three to five values that are most important to you in your career.
Develop some short-term and long-term educational goals by meeting with the OCS staff each semester. 

Junior Year
Relate your values, interests and abilities to two or three tentative career choices.
Develop your career goals by meeting at least once a semester with the OCS staff.
Research more thoroughly the occupations that you are considering.
Continue to increase your skills through meaningful extracurricular activities, internships and work.
Begin to research programs and entrance requirements if graduate school is in your future.
Seek a summer position that will give you direct experience in a field you wish to pursue after graduation.
Update relevant experiences and activities on your résumé and have it reviewed.
Attend workshops, programs, career panels and career fairs to further explore your options.
Build relationships with faculty and professionals who will serve as references.
Consult with your faculty adviser to ensure you are on track for graduation.
Read three recommended career books over the summer to get better prepared for the fall of your senior year.
Study for graduate school entrance exams.
Visit the Career Resource Library for resources on graduate schools.

Senior Year
Sharpen your job-search skills early in the fall with career center workshops and programs.
Apply to graduate school and take required entrance exam(s).
Identify various funding sources for graduate and professional school.
Have your graduate school essay critiqued by both your faculty adviser and the Writing Center staff.
Buy interview clothes.
Improve your interview skills with a mock interview
Take advantage of on-campus and off-campus recruitment programs.
Attend career fairs and career forums to learn more about the various career fields.
Network with alumni and other professionals about your job search and opportunities.
Write cover letters, visit employers, send follow-up notes, make phone calls and set up interviews.
Create various versions of your résumé. Take one hard copy to interviews and career fairs; you will e-mail most often.
Use many different strategies in your overall job-search.
Consider joining a professional association that is related to your major or career field.