Class Year Navigation Maps

Transfer Students | Opportunities for Engagement

You are like a fingerprint; you are unique and come to SUNY Oneonta with diverse experiences and coursework.

Less time at SUNY Oneonta does not equal less success at SUNY Oneonta. Utilize this transfer student's guide to excellence to keep you motivated and moving forward.

Stay on track with graduation

Make an appointment to map out your semesters ahead with an advisor in Academic Advisement in 107 Netzer Administration. This allows you to make sure you are on track for graduation. Pro tip: Mapping out your semesters will give you clarity on how long you will need to be in college and what classes you need to finish your degree.

Make an appointment with the Career Planning and Networking Center (CPNC)

Make an appointment with the Career Planning and Networking Center (CPNC) to get your résumé and cover letter critiqued and to discuss your career goals. Pro tip: You want to keep your résumé updated, so every couple of weeks go over your résumé and revise as needed!

Get to know your faculty and strive for academic excellence

Maintain a high GPA to impress potential employers and graduate programs, as they pay close attention to this. Get familiar with the Student Learning Center on the second floor of Milne Library. Learn more on the Student Learning Center website.

Apply for internships

Search for internships to build your résumé and explore career options. Internships are a great way to gain experience and have a better understanding of your industry. The CPNC in the Hunt Union can help get you started.

Get familiar with resources on campus

Get familiar with the Office of Student Experience at 213 Hunt Union. Resources are provided to support you, such as: getting assigned a peer mentor, joining the Transfer Student Club, and becoming a part of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society. Explore these resources and more on the Office of Student Experience website.

Determine if you want to go to graduate school or work after you graduate

If you are planning on going to graduate school, then you should plan to take the necessary standardized exam ahead of time and apply as early as you can. Make an appointment with the CPNC to help you plan for graduate school. Pro tip: Petersons.com is an excellent place to start your graduate school research.

Create a network by getting involved on campus

Explore clubs on campus to help develop your skills and be part of the campus community. Getting involved with clubs on campus can help build critical skills for your résumé. Plus, potential employers and graduate programs look for students who are involved on campus because it demonstrates leadership.

Start online network through LinkedIn

Make a LinkedIn account. This will allow you to connect with people in your industry, grow your network online and build your professional profile. The CPNC staff can show you how to maximize your profile and expand your network.

Explore and refine your skills by becoming part of the LEAD program

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) is a leadership program that builds your skills as a leader. It’s also a great way to get involved with events on campus. Consider becoming a part of LEAD.

Build skills with a part-time job

Find a part-time job. Earn money while expanding your skill set and building your résume Handshake has on campus and local opportunities. Start your search today on Handshake.

First Year | Find Your Focus

This academic year is to be used for adjusting to college life and developing better self-awareness, specifically your values, interests, abilities/skills, and aspirations. You will begin to uncover what it is that you want out of a career, internships or related experience. Taking exploratory classes and consulting with career counselors and academic advisors facilitate an understanding of yourself. It is highly recommended that you take PROF 100 Survey of Career Fields, a 1-credit career exploration course.

Meet with an academic advisor

Make an appointment to map out your semesters ahead with an advisor in Academic Advisement in 107 Netzer Administration. This allows you to make sure you are on track for graduation. Pro tip: Mapping out your semesters will give you clarity on how long you will need to be in college and what classes you need to finish your degree.

Make an appointment with the Career Planning and Networking Center (CPNC)

Download the Résumé and Cover Letter guide from the Career Planning and Networking Center (CPNC) online. Draft a résumé and schedule an appointment with the CPNC for tips and to discuss your career goals. Pro tip: You want to keep your résumé updated, so regularly go over your résumé and revise as needed!

Get to know your professors and strive for academic excellence

Start off your college career with a high GPA to impress potential employers and graduate programs. Visit the Student Learning Center on the second floor of Milne Library. Learn more on the Student Learning Center website.

Explore career interests learn about careers related to your major, and earn credit with PROF 1000

Register for PROF 1000 Survey of Career Fields to gain clarity about selecting a career or a major. Still unsure? Take the FOCUS II assessment on the CPNC's website and meet with CPNC staff for guidance.

Get familiar with resources on campus

Get familiar with services provided on campus. Resources are provided to support and help you. The Office of Student Experience and the First Year Experience Program are designed to help you learn about campus resources. Explore these resources and more on the Office of Student Experience website.

Participate in CPNC events

Attend workshops & programming through the CPNC. The CPNC’s Job and Internship Fair (JIF) and workshops in your residence hall and with campus organizations can expose you to jobs, internships, and networking opportunities.

Build your professional network by participating in volunteerism and student activities

Visit the Center for Volunteerism and Community Engagement to learn more about volunteer opportunities in the community. There are many individual or recurring events that need volunteers! Learn about clubs and organizations on Campus Connection and consider joining a club.

Create your Handshake profile

Sign up for a new profile.

Explore and refine your skills by joining the LEAD program

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) is a leadership program that builds your skills as a leader. It’s also a great way to get involved with events on campus.

Build transferable skills with a part-time job

Find a part-time job. Earn money while expanding your skill set and building your résume Handshake has on campus and local opportunities. Start your search today on Handshake.

Second Year | Explore Career Opportunities

During this academic year, you will take what you have learned about yourself and consider what is the most logical or appropriate career/major. You will explore these options by researching the various careers, majors and job descriptions, specifically engaging in discussions with a career counselor or academic advisor. It is important that you make informed decisions balanced by what you find interesting. Taking the time to investigate career and majors ensures that you have not missed a great opportunity.

Improve your writing skills

Improve your writing skills with support from the Student Learning Center in Milne Library. Services available include academic coaching, writing workshops, or one-time writing consultation appointments. Learn more on the Student Learning Center website.

Develop or refine your résumé with a CPNC staff member

Make an appointment with the Career Planning and Networking Center (CPNC) to get your résumé and cover letter critiqued and to discuss your career goals. Pro tip: You want to keep your résumé updated, so every couple of weeks go over your résumé and revise as needed!

Talk with faculty about research opportunities

Research opportunities are a great way to become immersed in your major. Talk with your faculty members about how you can support their research projects or ask them to sponsor your research about a topic of interest to you.

Begin exploring internship opportunities

Search for internships to build your résumé and explore career options. Internships are a great way to gain experience and have a better understanding of your industry. The CPNC team in the Hunt Union can help get you started

Sign up for PROF 1000 to explore careers related to your major

Attend an on-campus conference, such as Emerging Leaders, Student Diversity and Leadership Conference, SUNY Pride, and Student Research and Creative Activity Day. Get all the details about on-campus conferences on Campus Connection.

Attend the CPNC's Graduate Fair in the fall

If you are considering going to graduate school, then you should plan to take the necessary standardized exam ahead of time and apply as early as you can. Make an appointment with the CPNC to help you plan for graduate school and attend our Graduate School Fair in the fall. Pro tip: Petersons.com is an excellent place to start your graduate school research.

Expand your horizons through study abroad

Expand your worldview through a study abroad or an international internship experience. Explore your options.

Start online network through LinkedIn and attend virtual events through Handshake

Create a LinkedIn account and Handshake profile. This will allow you to connect with people in your industry , grow your network online and build your professional profile. The CPNC team can show you how to maximize your profile and expand your network.

Showcase your leadership skills through the LEAD program

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) is a leadership program that builds your skills as a leader. It’s also a great way to get involved with events on campus.

Build skills with a part-time job

Find a part-time job. Earn money while expanding your skill set and building your résume Handshake has on campus and local opportunities. Start your search today on Handshake.

Junior Year | Build Your Skills

This is a critical academic year for you. During these ten months, you continue to narrow the job search by enhancing your skills and gaining knowledge and experience. It is at this time that you explore internships, find part-time jobs related to your career goals and seek leadership roles in campus organizations and in the community. You should also use this academic year to further develop a rapport with the faculty in your major and minor areas of study. The accomplishments from this year will open doors for additional career-related experiences in your senior year.

Attend the CPNC's Graduate Fair in the fall

If you are considering going to graduate school, then you should plan to take the necessary standardized exam ahead of time and apply as early as you can. Make an appointment with the CPNC to help you plan for graduate school, and attend our Graduate School Fair in the fall. Pro tip: Petersons.com is an excellent place to start your graduate school research.

Refine your résumé with a CPNC staff member

Make an appointment with the Career Planning and Networking Center (CPNC) to get your résumé and cover letter critiqued and to discuss your career goals. Pro tip: You want to keep your résumé updated, so every couple of weeks go over your résumé and revise as needed!

Go to campus talks and lectures

Research opportunities are a great way to become immersed in your major. Talk with your faculty members about how you can support their research projects or ask them to sponsor your research about a topic of interest to you.

Seek an internship and get credit for the experience

Search for internships to build your résumé and explore career options. Internships are a great way to gain experience and have a better understanding of your industry. The CPNC team in the Hunt Union can help get you started

Give back by volunteering

Attend an on-campus conference, such as Emerging Leaders, Student Diversity and Leadership Conference, SUNY Pride, and Student Research and Creative Activity Day. Get all the details about on-campus conferences on Campus Connection.

Learn helpful LinkedIn/Handshake insights with help from the CPNC

There is no right or wrong way to explore careers, gain experience and prepare yourself for the job market. Make 1-1 appointments with the CPNC team, attend a workshop or employer event, and consider enrolling in the CPNC's PROF 3319: Career Preparation class. Can’t meet us in person? Practice for interviews online with Big Interview and search for jobs on Handshake.

Expand your horizons through study abroad

Expand your worldview through a study abroad or an international internship experience. Explore your options.

Refine your Linkedin profile

LinkedIn is more than a place to show off your professional abilities. The CPNC team can show you how to maximize your profile and expand your network using the alumni function and by joining industry groups. Pro tip: Making insightful comments on influencers’ posts increases the number of views on your profile.

Sign up for the Harvey Delaney Leadership Institute

The Harvey Delaney Institute provides students with the tools necessary to translate the leadership skills they have developed into those that will benefit them upon graduation. The event is for upper class level students.

Practice interviewing with Big Interview

Being able to articulate your skills and abilities in an interview is crucial and practice makes perfect. Learn strategies for interviewing, and test your interviewing abilities, on your time, through Big Interview, the online practice tool to help you land your dream internship or job.

Senior Year | Launch Your Career

This academic year is your capstone experience. You take what you learned through self-awareness, career explorations, and preparing for a career, and move forward to secure your initial goal of full-time work or graduate study. Preparing for this year has been a lot of work, and you will now see that the extra effort has paid off. You are now prepared to be competitive in today's job market or when applying to graduate or professional schools.

Meet with your academic advisor to make sure you are on track

Make an appointment to map out your final semesters with an advisor in Academic Advisement in 107 Netzer Administration. This allows you to make sure you are on track for graduation.

Make an appointment with the CPNC Team

Make an appointment with the Career Planning and Networking Center (CPNC). Our team can help you every step of the way as you start the transition from college to post graduate life. Whether it’s reviewing your application materials, making the decision to go to grad school, look for a job, or continue to explore career paths, we have your back.

Begin graduate school applications!

If you are considering going to graduate school, then you should attend the CPNC's Graduate School Fair in the fall. Plan to take the necessary standardized exam ahead of time and apply as early as you can. Make an appointment with the CPNC to help you plan for graduate school. Pro tip: Petersons.com is an excellent place to start your graduate school research.

Determine the what, when and where of your post grad plans

Deciding what to do after you graduate, where to do it, and how to get there can be overwhelming. The CPNC team has easy to use tools that will help you make decisions about your post graduate plans, and then develop a timeline and strategy for making these goals happen. Consider taking the CPNC's PROF 3319: Career Preparation class for more in-depth
support.

Ask faculty to be a reference for you on your job applications

It’s important to speak with your faculty about your post graduate plans and seek their guidance. In addition to supporting you with ideas, they are also often willing to offer you support by writing you a letter of recommendation. The best letters are written when your faculty know what your goals and plans are so they can tailor the letter to you.

Begin the job hunt using Handshake and your professional network

Trade an hour of Netflix time each week to searching job boards, including LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, USNLX, and on Handshake at oneonta.joinhandshake.com. Pro tip: 70% of job seekers land a job through networking. Now is the time to talk to as many people as possible about your post graduate aspirations.

Attend the Harvey Delaney Leadership Institute

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) is a leadership program that builds your skills as a leader and helps you articulate why these skills matter after you graduate. Learn ways to leverage your leadership by attending the spring Harvey Delaney Leadership Institute.

Customize your applications to specific jobs or graduate programs

Take the time to customize your resume and cover letter, and any other application materials to demonstrate that you have the skills and abilities to be successful in the position or program. Pro tip: Be sure to incorporate specific keywords associated with the job qualifications throughout your resume to pass a potential applicant tracking system.

Update your information with the Office of Alumni Engagement

The Alumni Association seeks to connect, engage, support and celebrate our alumni and we hope you will join our membership of 65,00 and counting. Once a member, we consider you one for life where you can take advantage of events, networking, discounts and so much more. Create your profile.

Practice and polish your interviewing skills with Big Interview

You have built amazing skills and had experiences that have prepared you for the next step. Let employers see you shine in your interviews. Remember, practice makes perfect so take the time to perfect your pitch with Big Interview.

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