Career Development Resources
Eberly Career Development Four-Year Plan
At Eberly Career Development, we empower students to intentionally build the skills, experiences, and professional connections needed for lifelong career success.
This four-year roadmap aligns with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies and provides clear milestones to help students confidently prepare for internships, employment, graduate school, and beyond.
Explore Freshman year
- Complete a career assessment.
- Explore majors and career pathways.
- Join at least one student organization or campus involvement opportunity.
- Attend introductory career workshops or seminars.
- Set up and complete your Handshake profile.
- Meet with Career Development for an introductory appointment.
- Identify 2–3 career interests to continue exploring.
Connect Sophomore year
- Refine your resume with measurable accomplishments.
- Create and optimize your LinkedIn profile.
- Attend at least one career fair (exploratory or targeted).
- Conduct at least one informational interview.
- Apply for internships, undergraduate research, or job shadowing opportunities.
- Develop and practice your elevator pitch.
- Build your professional network by connecting with faculty, alumni, and employers.
Develop Junior year
- Complete an internship, undergraduate research experience, study abroad, service-learning, or other experiential learning opportunity.
- Update your resume with quantified accomplishments and skill development.
- Participate in a mock interview.
- Network with alumni and professionals in your field.
- Join a professional association related to your major.
- Clarify your post-graduation goals (employment, graduate school, or professional school).
Create Senior year
- Finalize your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Develop a personalized job search strategy.
- Apply strategically to jobs, graduate programs, or professional schools.
- Practice interviewing and salary negotiation.
- Finalize your professional portfolio, references, and application materials.
- Attend career fairs with a targeted plan.
- Complete the First Destination Survey (FDS) to share your post-graduation plans.
Why the First Destination Survey matters: your responses help WVU measure career outcomes, celebrate student success, and strengthen future opportunities for Eberly students.
Develop the NACE career readiness competencies
Look for opportunities to practice each competency, reflect on what you’ve learned, and communicate those experiences on your resume, LinkedIn profile, graduate school applications, and during interviews.
- Career & Self Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Suggested milestone checklist
- Career assessment completed
- Handshake profile completed
- Career Development appointment
- Resume reviewed
- LinkedIn profile created
- Career fair attended
- Informational interview completed
- Internship or experiential learning completed
- Mock interview completed
- First Destination Survey completed
Ready to map out your next step?
Meet with Eberly Career Development to build a plan that fits your goals.