Regardless of pre-professional category, creating a meaningful and robust resume throughout your undergraduate career is important. Below, goals are broken into three categories for each year: Career, Personal, and Academic. Consider creating more specific goals for your Pre-Professional Category.
 

BEGINNING COLLEGE

Career Goals:

• Explore major and career options and consider taking a career/personal interest assessment. If you already have an idea of the career you wish to pursue, consider shadowing before high school is over

• so you can confirm the pathway.

• Attend Information Fairs.

• Schedule a Visit to campus. (If you pre-arrange a visit, you can also schedule a meeting with Career Development & Exploration to learn more about your career path and office services.)

​

Academic Goals:

• Take college entrance exams (ACT, SAT) and complete Ohio High School core or transfer student preparation program.

• Apply for and complete admission process including scheduling orientation.

• Attend orientation both for Cleveland State University and Career Development & Exploration's Pre-Professional Health Programs (during the first week of the semester).

​

Personal Goals:

• Complete financial aid application; apply for on-campus job.

• Explore housing/living options at CSU or in the community.

• Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.

FRESHMAN YEAR

Career Goals:

• Attend career, major or pre-professional-related workshops hosted by Career Development & Exploration. Explore online information about careers in healthcare.

• Develop career goals: short and long term as well as alternative career goals.

• Start to build your resume through involvement, shadowing, and volunteer work.

• Create a resume.

​

Academic Goals:

• Meet with pre-professional advisor to develop your educational plan for prerequisite pre-professional health courses.

• Meet with your college advisor to begin to look at the pathway for your major.

• Maintain a strong GPA.

​

Personal Goals:

• Explore service learning or other civic engagement options in Cleveland.

• Explore student organizations.

• Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.

SOPHOMORE YEAR:

Career Goals:

• Explore job shadowing opportunities or other ways to get direct experience in career field of interest.

• Modify career goals: short and long-term. Make sure that you are coming up with Plan B options.

• Update your resume.

​

Academic Goals:

• Meet with your pre-professional advisor to update your plan and establish relationship with college and faculty advisor.

• Cultivate relationships with faculty/staff/advisors that may serve as references for applications.

• Maintain a strong GPA.

​

Personal Goals:

• Get involved in student organizations at CSU.

• Get involved in professional student organizations.

• Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.

• Consider summer opportunities in research to build your resume.

JUNIOR YEAR

Career Goals:

• Attend the Applicant Track Workshop series during your fall semester to prepare for a Summer application after the junior year.

• Create study timeline for application and entrance exams and decide whether or not you will take a preparatory course.

• Continue to search for meaningful experiences such as shadowing, volunteering, undergraduate research, and a part-time job.

• Update your resume.

​

Academic Goals:

• Continue to attend pre-professional workshops to learn about various fields.

• Meet with your college or faculty/department advisor to confirm graduation plan.

• Maintain a strong GPA.

​

Personal Goals:

• Consider leadership positions in student organizations for Junior or Senior year.

• Get involved in professional student organizations.

• Apply for scholarships: University and community sources.

SENIOR YEAR:

Career Goals:

• After application, prepare secondary applications if applicable.

• Attend the Interview Success Workshop to learn about and start preparing for potential interviews.

• Once you receive your first interview, sign up for a Mock Interview with Career Development & Exploration.

• Update your resume.

​

Academic Goals:

• Select applicable elective coursework that will aid in your transition to professional school.

• Meet with advisor to make sure all courses are in progress or complete by graduation.

• Maintain a strong GPA.

​

Personal Goals:

• Accept leadership roles in student organizations.

• Participate in research symposium/conference for students.

• Find ways to pay for your professional career by doing research and applying for scholarships.
   

ALUMNI

Career Goals:

• Continue to show your support for CSU as a proud alumni by getting involved in the Alumni Association and volunteering your time with Career Development & Exploration

• Examine your career goals.

• Update your resume.

​

Academic Goals:

• Now that you are admitted into a professional program or other option, study hard and do well!

• Continue to maintain a strong GPA throughout your professional school career.

• Obtain copies of your transcript to have on-hand.

​

Personal Goals:

• Gain meaningful experiences that will aid in your passion for your career path.

• Get involved in professional organizations.

• Become a mentor and maintain your educational network.

​