Career Architecture & Public History

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

SELF DISCOVERY

  • Expose yourself to a wide variety of ways in which historical information is communicated:  scholarly writings, documentaries, museums, living history events, archives, etc.
  • Keep a reflective journal of your ideas and responses (especially likes and dislikes) as you gain exposure to the ways in which history is communicated.
  • Get to know your assigned advisor, your department chairperson, and both history and non-history faculty as mentors.
  • Participate in history activities both on campus and off, especially the SU History Society.
  • Visit Career HQ and meet with a career counselor to identify your career goals and interests then discuss them with your assigned advisor, your department chairperson, and your history and non-history mentors.
  • Use Career HQ’s SIGI Plus, the computerized self-assessment tool available from campus computers.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATIONS

  • Talk often with your assigned advisor, your department chairperson, your history and non-history mentors, and professionals in various fields of history about career opportunities in history and related fields.
  • Research graduate and professional schools and their requirements.
  • In consultation with your assigned advisor, your department chairperson, and your history and non-history mentors, choose electives or a minor to build breadth in your studies and to open career opportunities.
  • Identify your academic skills that are transferable to the workplace.
  • Practice explaining the value of a history major and a liberal arts education.
  • Keep a file of your best writing and research work from your history and non-history classes.
  • Run for office in the SU History Society or other campus organizations.
  • Participate in off-campus professional activities and opportunities.
  • Read professional journals and magazines.
  • Review job listings on the Internet and at Career HQ.
  • Attend career development seminars and workshops both on campus and off campus.
  • Prepare your résumé and have it critiqued.

CAREER EXPLORATION

  • Pursue internships, Co-ops, and volunteer opportunities in which you can sharpen your skills from the study of history and make potential employment contacts.
  • Become a student member of professional history and related organizations.
  • Submit papers and attend history and related conferences.
  • Subscribe to E-mail lists and visit websites in your areas of career interest.
  • Continue to meet with your assigned advisor, your department chairperson, your history and non-history mentors, and with Career HQ to further develop and refine your career plans.
  • Attend career and graduate school fairs.
  • Visit graduate schools of interest.
  • Make appointments to visit area employment opportunities and talk with professionals.
  • Ask lots of questions.  Remember there are no such things as dumb questions!

CAREER PREPARATION

  • Continue to refine and expand all of the appropriate activities described in the prior three stages of Career Architecture.
  • Sign up for practice employment interviews at Career HQ.
  • Complete application process for graduate or professional school or for full-time employment.
  • Request letters of recommendation early from SU academic mentors and internship / Co-op supervisors for graduate or professional school or for full-time employment.
  • Participate in on-campus recruiting through Career HQ and, with the assistance of your SU academic advisor and mentors, seek out smaller employers that look for talented liberal arts graduates but do not have the resources to recruit on campus.
   
 

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.