Wondering where to start? Here are some essential steps that you can take no matter where you are in your career journey.
Discover Your Strengths and Passions
Evaluate who you are and what you want. This is the time for you to learn more about yourself by trying new things and getting involved.
Explore Majors
Explore majors through general education classes early on so you can make an informed decision about your major choice.
Find Your Major Now
Get Involved with Clubs and Organizations
Develop your interests, try new things, and meet new people through student organizations, sports, and extracurricular activities.
Search Student Orgs
Discuss Your Interests
Talk about your career interests with parents, friends, professors, and other working professionals. The more you discuss your interests, the more you will discover how they align with potential career options.
Sign up for the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program
Develop Your Career Readiness Competencies
Get acquainted with the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 8 career readiness competencies which represent the skills, experiences and attributes that employers look for when recruiting. Consider how you can develop these competencies through your experiences at UCLA.
View NACE's Career Readiness Competencies
Create a Personalized Career and Education Plan
Use the FOCUS 2 Career tools to assess your personality, interests, skills and values to create a personalized career and education plan.
Register for Your Free FOCUS 2 Account
Schedule an appointment with a Career Engagement Educator
Meet one-on-one with one of our career engagement educators to discuss your goals, ask questions and gain advice.
Schedule an Appointment on Handshake
Explore Your Career Options
Continue to explore and gather information about careers and industries. Connect with people who work in the career fields that interest you to gain first-hand insights.
Attend Career Events, Workshops and Programs
Hear from diverse industry professionals to learn more about career fields, organizations, and academic pathways. Broaden your awareness of the opportunities available to you.
Explore Career Events, Workshops and Programs
Utilize Online Career Resources
Research career information online. The Career Center has a number of resources to help you get started.
Explore Online Resources
Conduct Informational Interviews
Conduct informational interviews with people who work in career industries of interest to you in order to gain insights into a career field or company and build your network. Reach out to professionals via LinkedIn or connect with alumni on UCLA One.
Conduct Informational Interviews LinkedIn for Students
Conduct Informational Interviews UCLA One
Build Your Career Readiness
Clarify your direction through experiential education and seek out summer jobs, internships, and volunteer activities.
Find Jobs and Internships
Nothing beats first-hand experience. Pursue internships, part-time and summer jobs to gain work experience and strengthen your skills.
Find Jobs & Internships on Handshake
Attend Career Fairs, Networking Events, and Info Sessions
Attend recruiting events to learn about opportunities at various companies and make connections that can lead to an interview.
Explore Career Fairs, Networking Events, and Info Sessions
Connect & Network with Professionals
A strong network goes a long way. Connect with professionals at on-campus and off-campus events, as well as on LinkedIn and UCLA One.
Connect & Network with Professionals LinkedIn for Students
Connect & Network with Professionals UCLA One
Explore Volunteer Opportunities
Make a difference by getting involved in a cause you believe in. Follow your interests and values while gaining new skills and expanding your network.
UCLA Volunteer Center
Reach For Your Goals
Determine what path you would like to pursue and develop skills in that area. Reflect on what you've learned through your research and experiences. Consider where you want to be and develop an action plan with strategies to achieve your goals.
Craft a Killer Resume
A resume is an important marketing tool and is often your best chance to make a good first impression. Make every word count.
Read Resume Tips
Strengthen Your Interview Skills
Make sure you’re prepared to make a great impression and demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the position. Use the InterviewStream mock interview tool to hone your interviewing skills.
Log in to InterviewStream
Build your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles
Start building your personal brand! Take control of your online image by showcasing your professional goals, skills, and experiences.
Log in to Handshake
Build your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles LinkedIn for Students
Visit the Career Center
Visit Virtual Drop-In Hours (Tues.-Thurs., 10am-2pm) for resume/cover letter reviews, job/internship search strategies, or interview preparation tips.
Drop-in for Quick Questions
Participate in On-Campus Recruitment Opportunities
Join on campus recruiting events to build your professional network and learn more about careers in your field.
Explore and Participate in On-Campus Recruitment Opportunities
Build a Personal Action Plan
Use the FOCUS 2 Career tools to create a personalized action plan. Develop strategies to work toward your goals.
Log in to FOCUS 2
Design Your Future
Aim to develop your professional skills and seize opportunities for growth. Get involved with professional associations and seek opportunities for continuing education.
Expand and Strengthen Your Network
Attend on and off-campus networking events, use LinkedIn and expand your UCLA network.
Expand and Strengthen Your Network LinkedIn
Expand and Strengthen Your Network UCLA One
Join Professional Organizations
There are many professional organizations for every career field. Get involved in your field and attend networking and educational sessions to stay connected and on top of trends.
Explore UCLA Alumni Career Resources
Prepare for Graduate School
Start preparing for graduate school if your career choice requires an advanced degree. Check admission requirements, testing dates, and timelines for applications. Attend the annual Admit UCLA: Graduate and Professional School Fair in October.
Preparing for Graduate School