This is a convenient website that helps you connect majors with careers. For each major that interests you, you can find an outline of common career areas, typical employers, and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. Click here to begin exploring!

At the Career Center, we have numerous resources in the Katherine Kemper Career Library for your use. We also have online tools to assist you in researching your potential majors. These include:

1. UK Vault Online Career Library - A great resource for information on your dream job!
2. Shadowing and Mentoring - The U.K. Mentoring Network is a cooperative program between the colleges, the Career Center, and the U.K. Alumni Association. Over 300 alumni and friends of the University have volunteered to help undergraduates plan and prepare for meaningful careers. This means you have the opportunity to meet people who are working in a field that interests you, and have the chance to learn from them! The Mentoring Network is administered through UK Wildcat CareerLink, the Career Center's online job and internship database.
   Shadowing is a one-day observational experience that offers a glimpse into a typical workday in a specific career field. No credit is received and no fee is charged. It may be done as often as desired and at any time during the year. UK students of all majors and class levels and UK graduates are eligible to participate. Shadowing will help you define career interests, see what a certain job will be like, ask questions of the professional you are shadowing, and gain a better understanding of a particular work setting or business. You can arrange to shadow a professional on your own or get assistance from your Counselor at the Career Center by calling 859.257.2746.

Your Career Counselor can also assist you in exploring the possibilities of your major. The Career Center has a Career Counselor in every college, as well as a counselor dedicated specifically to Undergraduate Studies students. You can make an appointment by calling the Career Center at 859.257.2746.

Your academic advisor may have some insight as well, so check with him/her. If you're currently in Undergraduate Studies, the Central Advising and Transfer Service is a wonderful resource for information and advice.

• Get to know the UK Campus resources.
• Learn about yourself: explore your likes and dislikes: take a variety of courses, get involved with clubs and activities on campus.
• Get to your know your professors. Begin building long-term relationships.
• Exploring majors? Take UK101 and/or talk to your academic or career advisor.
• Take a tour/visit the James W. Stuckert Career Center. Meet with your Career Advisor and learn about the resources available to you.
• Take on-line career assessments at the Career Center such as FOCUS and SIGI 3 or make an appointment with your career counselor.
• Make a difference: volunteer through the UK Volunteer Center.
• Find and build relationships with mentors — someone to support you through your college career and beyond. Get to know UK college student leaders and staff members.
• Meet with your academic advisor twice a semester to learn about what classes to take and how to follow degree requirements.
• Create a resume, collect writing samples, class projects and other academic and personal successes.
• Get to know Wildcat CareerLink, your one-stop internship and job opportunity website through the James W. Stuckert Career Center.
• Plan and begin researching for your summer internship at the beginning of the spring semester.

• Reflect on your first year experience. What would you do differently? What would you like to explore next related to classes, internships or career-related opportunities?
• Explore majors and minors. Consider what major(s) you would like to declare.
• Learn about Education Abroad. Consider building your career portfolio by studying and living abroad.
• Plan to attend at least two Career Center workshops, Career Fairs and/or employer events. Learn what is available to you for future opportunities.
• Continue to update your resume with your latest experiences and accomplishments.
• Visit the Katherine Kemper Career Center library. Get to know resources for internships and future career-related opportunities.
• Challenge yourself to try new opportunities. Get involved with student organizations and activities such as clubs, or charity events (Dance Blue or UK Fusion or take a Service-Learning class).
• Make a difference— Think outside the box!
• Explore undergraduate research opportunities or fellowships.
• Consider job shadowing an alumni or professional in a career field.
• Begin to create and establish your plans for the future: write down at least 5 short-term and 5 long-term personal and career goals you would like to achieve.
• Talk to your Academic Advisor to check in about class selection and progress towards major.
• Meet with your Career Advisor to prepare for summer internships.
• Thinking about grad school? Check out the Pre-professional Advising department for more information on how to prepare.

• Continue to establish relationships with faculty members in & out of your major.
• Plan and prepare to do Education Abroad and/or complete at least one internship in an area you are interested in exploring.
• Get involved: Take a leadership role in sports, club, organization or national-based organizations like Greek or honor societies.
• Review and evaluate short-term and long- term career and personal goals.
• Attend graduate school programs sponsored by the Career Center and Pre-Professional Advising Center.
• Prepare for graduate school: Study and take standardized tests such as LSAT, MCAT, GRE, etc.
• Update your resume.
• Strengthen your interviewing skills — sign up for a mock interview through the Career Center.
• Attend alumni-sponsored events to learn about careers and opportunities after graduation.
• Prepare for summer by exploring and planning for undergraduate research positions, co-op, internship or summer job opportunities in order develop your skills and gain experience.
• Develop new skills — learn a language, add new computer skills, take a new class or pursue a hobby or sport.
• Continue to be involved — volunteer or give back to the community.
• Take a career exploration class or sign-up for career assessments through the Career Center or Counseling and Testing Center.
• Keep up your professional development: attend a Career Fair, employer event or workshop sponsored by the Career Center or other organizations on campus.
• Surf your Wildcat CareerLink account — check out possible employer events, internship & job opportunities.

• Check-in with your graduation status — are you on-track for completing your graduation requirements?
• Meet with your Career Advisor early in the year to prepare and evaluate graduate school and/or work opportunities after graduation.
• Review career and personal goals for short-term and long-term — make adjustments as needed.
• Finalize graduate school applications in Fall semester: identify three references, create personal statements and organize applications, etc.
• Attend job search workshops and events.
• Watch and review Wildcat Career Link for on-campus interviews and job opportunities weekly!
• Update your resume and practice your interviewing skills.
• Purchase interview clothes for graduate school and job interviews.
• Be on top: attend networking events, etiquette dinners and job search and preparation workshops.
• Prepare and participate in Fall and Spring Career Fairs.
• Don't give up on your community service — stay involved to keep the right perspective.
• Keep your resume up-to-date with the latest internships, job and leadership activities.
• Seek and gather letters of recommendation from faculty, employers, etc.
• Be a regular at the James W. Stuckert Career Center!
• Network with everyone you know — professors, staff, mentors, family, etc.
• Don't panic!! Make time for yourself, seek help — it is never too late!
• Be true to yourself! It always works out for the best in the end!!

FOCUS is an online career and educational planning system to help you make career decisions and identify career options. You'll take a brief evaluation to assess your work values and preferences, and then you'll be given a list of jobs that people who answered like you have chosen. You'll be able to compare and contrast occupations side by side.

Get started with FOCUS:

1. Create your student account to use the on-line career planning assessment tools
   • Choose "I'm a new user"
   • Keycode: wildcats
   • User Group: select a group from this pull down menu (choose the college you are currently enrolled in if you have a major or Undergraduate Studies if you are undecided and not enrolled in any other college.)
2. Complete "Your Current Career Planning Status" Section
3. Complete the Self-Exploration Assessments in FOCUS at your own pace. Remember the password you created so that you can log back on any time you wish to continue using the system
4. Record your results in the FOCUS Career Planning Workbook to help you understand and utilize your results.
5. Call 257-2746 or stop by to schedule an appointment with a career counselor at the James W. Stuckert Career Center and discuss your results.

SIGI-3 is a self-paced computer program which covers all major aspects of career planning and career decision making. SIGI-3 can help you assess your work-related values, interests, and skills. First you will enter your work-related preferences, then SIGI-3 will search its built-in library and find those careers that most closely match your preferences. You can also search for careers related to your major. Additional information on employment outlook, salary ranges and detailed descriptions of careers is included in the database. Don't hesitate to use make an appointment to discuss your results with a career counselor.

How to log in?

You must have a Link Blue account to login to SIGI-3. Once you get to the SIGI-3 login screen, register as a new user. When you re-access the site, use your ID and password to use the information that you entered before.

Vault is an online research tool that allows you to look into thousands of different occupations, learn more about employers, look for jobs, and gather lots of job search information—all in one place! Click on Get Your Password Now and enter your @uky.edu email address. A password will be emailed to you within seconds!

The OOH is a great resource to do research on jobs, what the average salaries are, the job market in various parts of the country, and how to get to the job you want to have.

It's very important to learn about a company, its culture, and its mission to help you determine if it would be a good fit for you, and to learn what opportunities it might offer you. Before an interview, it's useful to do research on a company in order to enter the interview informed and prepared to answer questions that relate to the company. You can use Vault and Wildcat CareerLink to assist you in your research, in addition to checking out the company's own website.

1. Identify professionals in the career field of interest to you and contact them.
   "My name is _______, I am a student at the University of Kentucky's College of _____________ and I am interested in working in the field of _________. Is this a good time to talk? (If yes, continue.) ________ gave me your name and number and suggested that I call you. Could we meet for 20 to 30 minutes to discuss your profession?"
2. Arrange a meeting.
   It is important to take only 20 to 30 minutes of the professional's time.
3. Arrive early and be dressed professionally.
   Treat this as seriously as you would a job interview. You are making a first impression!
4. The following are sample questions to ask during the interview.
   Feel free to ask additional questions.
   
   • How did you get started in this career field? (What was your major and did it help you get into this field?)
   • Could you describe a typical day?
   • What do you enjoy most about what you do?
   • What is most challenging about what you do?
   • What are your future plans for your career?
   • What are the ways that you see this field (or company) is changing? What is the future of ________?
   • What advice would you give someone in college interested in breaking into this career field?
   • What is the application process for employment in this company and this career field?
   • If someone with my experience were applying for an entry-level position in this field, what suggestions would you have to increase the likelihood of obtaining an interview?
   • Do you know another professional in this field that would be willing to talk to me as well?
5. Express your appreciation, get a business card, and leave!

Respect the person's valuable work time and do not overstay your welcome. Be sure to get a business card so that you can send a thank you note within 24 hours. This is essential in building good relations within your network.

• Like most projects that you will encounter in life, the more you put into this, the more you will get out of it.
• Get good information whenever possible. Not all people answer questions the same. It is up to you to probe a little and ask follow up questions. Remember, the point is for you to get inside information about the career field in general and this company in particular. Don't be afraid to follow the questions listed above with some of your own to get the information about which you are curious. Most people are happy to let you know more about themselves.
• Interview someone you do not know very well. This will give you an opportunity to expand your network. You never know who will become a contact for a job in the future! For the first informational interview, it may be easier to choose someone you already know from school, work, or maybe even a friend or family member. The second time around, choose someone new in order to expand your network.
• Not all informational interviews will be productive. Some people are too busy to give you their full attention and some prefer not to talk about their career path and career successes. That's okay. Remember, the point is to learn as much as possible while expanding your network.
• Stay in touch. When building a network, it is important to remain in contact with people you meet, so that when you have a need, they will be there with answers, support, job leads, etc. This is why it is so important to write a brief thank you note and mail it to the person you met with to express your gratitude. In many cases, this will pay off for you down the road. A general rule for thank you notes: if someone takes more than 10 minutes to do something for you that's out of their way, you should take the time to formally thank them with a personal note.