My Plan
Discover your vocation through experiential learning!
The CEL is your resource as you create a plan that incorporates meaningful opportunities to "learn by doing" into your four years on the Hill. We can help you choose experiences that complement your academic interests, build your skill set and assist in your vocational exploration. The four programs of the CEL provide a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities. Use our resources to enrich your education and identify your place in the world!
The following guide will help you explore different ways to make the most of your time at St. Olaf. Although class years are listed, these activities may occur at any point. Ideally, you will start early and connect with multiple opportunities!
As you engage in these activities, take time to reflect on what you learn about yourself and your future plans.
Discover Yourself (first years and sophomores)
- Explore your academic interests by being intentional in choosing classes to fulfill general education requirements.
- Choose your major(s) and/or concentration(s) and learn about the myriad of potential career paths open to you as a liberal arts student.
- Browse course descriptions in the online Academic Catalog and talk to professors in various departments about majors and opportunities.
- Watch the online Choosing a Major workshop through the CEL to learn strategies for exploring various majors.
- Check out the CEL’s Majors and Careers web links. While you’re there, check out other resources that are relevant to you.
- Research majors or career interest areas using the CEL resource library; CEL peer advisors are available from 9-5 Monday-Friday to you get started.
- Sign up to be included on the CEL_Yourself email alias and visit the CEL in person to stay updated on workshops, fairs, grants, scholarships, internships, jobs and other opportunities through the four programs in the CEL.
- Join a student organization or engage in volunteer work related to your interests.
- Meet with a professional staff member in the CEL to talk about ideas for your future. While you're there, be sure to discuss plans for a productive summer that might include employment, an internship, informational interviews, volunteering and more.
Explore Options (first years and sophomores)
- Attend an Identifying Vocational Interests workshop (offered in the Spring) to learn how your interests, personality, values and strengths are related to your academic goals and career options.
- Discover how your interests and skills apply to the world of work; use the Assessing and Exploring Careers web links on the CEL’s student page.
- Meet one-on-one with a professional staff member in the CEL to create an experiential learning plan that complements your academic program.
- Get involved with local non-profit organizations or schools utilizing the local service and internship opportunities web resource, Volunteer Network, or off-campus work study.
- Learn about local issues and organizations.
- Find a work study opportunity that relates to your interests and goals.
- Conduct informational interviews with alumni, relatives, family friends, etc. to learn about career areas that interest you. You can use the Online Alumni Directory to locate and contact former Oles who work in your field of interest.
- Engage in job shadowing opportunities.
- Attend career panels and forums related to your major or interests.
- Plan for an international or domestic off-campus program that will complement your academic program.
- Enhance your experience by selecting a summer job, internship, research, or volunteer opportunity related to your interests.
Experiment & Evaluate (juniors and seniors)
- Explore internship opportunities using OleRecruiting and other links on the CEL website.
- Create a resume and have it critiqued by a CEL peer advisor and professional staff member.
- Take a class with an academic civic engagement component that allows you to apply academic knowledge and tools to address community issues.
- Explore and apply for funding to support an unpaid internship, service or civic engagement project or idea.
- Develop skills to make a difference by getting involved with civic engagement initiatives such as issue-based seminars, networking events, retreats and reflection opportunities.
- Complete an internship, possibly for academic credit. Explore programs available thru the CEL, including Leaders for Social Change, Innovation Scholars, and Legal Scholars. Evaluate the experience by reflecting on the skills you’ve acquired and its impact on your future plans.
- Test your entrepreneurial skills by applying for an Entrepreneurial or Social Innovation grant to start a nonprofit or for-profit venture.
- Engage in independent study (IS), independent research (IR), or another undergraduate research program to enhance your experience in your field (highly recommended if you are planning on graduate study).
- Seek leadership opportunities within student organizations, clubs and/or student government.
- Research multiple career options and reflect on your interests by engaging in focused informational interviewing. Develop a network of contacts in your field of interest by using the Online Alumni Directory and participating in the Career Network for Oles program.
- Spend time developing an online professional profile through LinkedIn. Reach out to potential contacts in fields of interest.
- Identify education and/or additional skills necessary to your field of interest; begin to research graduate school options.
- Practice articulating what you’re studying and why, and the skills you’ve developed through your academic and experiential learning.
- Apply for a St. Olaf-sponsored summer internship program through the CEL. (link to new internship page highlighting summer programs)
- Find a summer job, internship, research or volunteer experience directly related to your career goals.
Implement Your Plan (juniors and seniors)
- Define your post-graduation goals and create an action plan for your senior year.
- Attend CEL workshops relevant to your future plans.
- Refine your resume and create a cover letter. Have them critiqued at the CEL.
- Write a personal statement and a curriculum vita for graduate school applications.
- Create your personal calendar of job, volunteer, and graduate school fairs and recruiting events.
- Research employment, post-graduate volunteer, post-graduate scholarships and fellowships, or grad school options and start applying.
- Utilize your network in seeking opportunities.
- Understand what employers and graduate/professional schools seek in an applicant. Be able to convey how your knowledge, skills and experiences will be an asset to the organizations to which you apply.
- Conduct a practice interview with a CEL staff member to enhance your self-presentation skills.
- Remain open to possibilities; be proactive and continue to assess your options.