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Career Center, Santa Clara University

Sophomore Guide

 

Strategies for Career Success in your Sophomore Year

 


Overview

Sophomore year is a critical stage in your career journey. Follow the steps in this guide to start generating momentum and achieve career success!


Step 1: The Basics

  • Update and complete your profile in Handshake Handshake is your one-stop-shop for all of your career needs. Claim your free Handshake account to complete your profile, select career interest areas, register for upcoming events, and apply for jobs and internships.

  • Schedule a resume review appointment — Our team of graduate career development interns and career coaches will help you review your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn. You should also use VMock, our free A.I. resume review tool, to start building your college-level resume. Watch this 5 tips video and this VMock demo to get started.

  • Meet your Career Coach Each Career Coach supports a specific student population based on their field of study.

    Which career coach should you meet with?
  • Explore the Job Prep Toolkit — A comprehensive collection of resources to help you explore careers, develop your resume, practice your interviewing skills, build your network, and more.

Step 2: Know Yourself

  • Complete a self-assessment on Focus2 — Log into Focus2 to complete a variety of career self-assessments.

    All incoming Class of 2028 students will be invited to complete the work interest assessment as part of New Student Orientation and Welcome Weekend.

    Platform access available beginning Winter 2024 to currently enrolled students
     
    • Work Interest Assessment
    • Values Assessment
    • Personality Assessment
    • Skills Assessment
    • Leisure Assessment
    • Academic Strengths Assessment
    • Career Readiness Assessment
    • Major and Career Exploration
  • Values Inventory - Learn how to identify current values and reflect on how they might influence your career decisions. Check out our video and leverage the following tools to capture what you currently value:
  • Share your results — We recommend sharing your assessment and values inventory results with your career coach, academic advisor and faculty advisor, all of whom can help you identify next steps based on your results.

Step 3: Discover the Possibilities


Step 4: Participate in Experiential Learning Activities

  • Launch your summer internship search — If you want to participate in an internship the summer between your sophomore and junior year, you need to start your internship early. Some companies open their internship applications as early as one year in advance.
  • Fellowships and internship opportunities — Sophomore year is the perfect time to explore and apply for some of the many fellowship and internship opportunities hosted or facilitated by various SCU departments, including the Ignatian Center, Ciocca Center, Markkula Center, Miller Center, and more. 

  • Micro-internships — The Career Center has has partnered with Parker Dewey to provide micro-internships: opportunities to build skills and experience working with local and national companies on exciting short-term projects. Most micro-internships are paid.

  • Work Simulations The Career Center has partnered with Forage to provide work simulations: short, real-world, online projects hosted by companies ranging from JPMorgan Chase and Red Bull to Lyft and Lululemon and hundreds more.

Step 5: Explore the Santa Clara Network

  • Bronco Exchange is an exclusive and easy-to-use platform that connects Santa Clara University students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends in a global, virtual community. Whatever your goals, there’s a Bronco in your corner ready to help.

Prepare for Your Junior Year

Have you completed all of the recommended steps for sophomores? Look ahead to junior year.

 

Job Prep Toolkit

Visit our Job Prep Toolkit for more resources.

  • Jobs and Internships

    Explore hundreds more opportunities in Handshake


Career Fair


Upcoming Career Center Events

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