Career Architecture & Business Communication

How will you use Career Architecture as a Business Communication major at SU? Here are some suggestions from our Business Communication faculty:

SELF-DISCOVERY

  • Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses in the fields of writing, business, and technology
  • Analyze your own personal communication style
  • Examine closely your comfort level in the areas of creativity and initiative
  • Assess your values to see where you'd fit in with a particular corporate style
  • Ask your teachers in the fields of business, writing, art, and computers to meet with you to discuss your talents
  • Compile a list of what others see as your abilities, relying on what your friends and family may tell you
  • Analyze the kinds of activities that you enjoy doing with an eye towards career possibilities
  • Find a mentor on campus who will discuss your progress and interests

CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATIONS

  • Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can to interact with others in an interview situation
  • Participate in the Journalism Practicum to gain more expertise in interviewing, writing, editing, and layout techniques
  • Visit with the Career HQ staff  to learn what you can about jobs in the field of business communication
  • Attend lectures and workshops presented at the University and off-campus
  • Spend time talking with the senior business communication interns to learn what you can from them about their placements
  • Take a wide variety of business courses so that you might be exposed to all the facets of a business communication career
  • Use your electives wisely to help develop interests in specific fields
  • Try to find part-time and summer jobs that are related to your primary field of interest, even if it means volunteering your time
  • Look for a mentor in a business field who would be willing to help you explore job possibilities

CAREER EXPLORATION

  • Search for an internship experience that will give you at least 120 hours of markable skill development
  • Network at business lunches and meetings whenever possible
  • Join professional organizations in your field  (AMA, SPJ, etc.) to meet others and learn about career possibilities
  • Investigate possible career paths through exploration on the web and in professional circles
  • Make it a point to talk with your business teachers about their own careers outside of teaching
  • Attend Career Fairs where there will be information disseminated about new careers
  • Chat with staff (human resources, finances, management, marketing) personnel at the University about their abilities and careers
  • Subscribe to professional journals or read them in the library, concentrating on articles that seem interesting and engaging
  • Investigate websites such as www.jobs.com that post information about career advancement, salaries, etc.

CAREER PREPARATION

  • Register for your senior internship experience in an area or areas of strength
  • Look for a paid CO-op position that allows you to focus in on one career area
  • Talk to friends, graduates, network associates who can help you polish your skills
  • Refine your resume with the help of Career HQ
  • Keep copies of your resume with you at all times. A folder of extra resumes in your car is a good idea.
  • Update your portfolio with clippings and copies of your best work
  • Create a business card for yourself that you can hand out in place of a resume
  • Make every effort at the internship site to meet and talk with as many people as possible about their jobs
  • Participate in On-Campus Recruiting as often as you can. You can never have enough practice at the interview.
   
 

What is Career ArchitectureSM?

Career ArchitectureSM is a unique process that enables each Stevenson student to create a successful and rewarding career path. Starting in the freshman year, students begin working with faculty and staff to design a strategic career plan based on their personal interests, values, strengths, and abilities. Career Architecture includes four elements: Self-Discovery, Career Development Foundations, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation. Not only does the knowledge gathered during the Career Architecture process help SU students land their first jobs; it serves for the lifetime of their careers.