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 Pre-Professional Health Programs 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 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 and major related workshops in Pre-Professional Programs. 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 Pre-Professional Health Programs.
- 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 Pre-Professional Health Programs.
- 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.