Career Pathways

Professor showing student how to operate a camera

First-Year Students

Explorer

Begin your studies in the field. Choose your concentration. Join media organizations.

  • APS Course (take one of the Career Interest Instruments: Sokanu, Myers-Briggs, I Start Strong).
  • Take Introductory classes in your concentration area: [200, 224, 225, 227, 242, 243].
  • Select a concentration to guide your professional goals.
  • Take classes focusing on media literacy [224 and 242].
  • Get familiar with Eagle Connect, your Career Resource portal, order business cards from Career Services with your name, major and class year.
  • Attend Club Craze and join a student media organization, all of which welcome first-year students. Report and cover news, work with clients, learn technology.
  • Attend Major/Minors Fair and select a minor.
  • Consider the Leadership Development Program (LDP).
  • Attend Research & Internship Day and Scholars Day.
  • Attend a session of “So you want to be a…?” Career Speaker Series (profile of a career and day-to-day tasks).
  • Attend the Diversity Conference.
  • Meet with your APS adviser as well as your academic adviser

Second-Year Students

Diver

Determine the direction for your profession.

  • Take introductory classes in your concentration area.
  • Attend a Career Event or Career Services Workshop.
  • Develop a resume that you can use to obtain an internship. Develop a LinkedIn profile and a professional presence on other social media platforms.
  • Hone your interviewing, writing and editing skills in courses that utilize the Academic Success Center’s services.
  • Round out your experiences: think about study abroad; choose an unusual minor; aim to get the service award for volunteering through the Office for Community Development; attend Scholars Day and plan to present next year; consider applying for the Washington, D.C., internship semester, the NYC alumni trip or the SUNY Undergraduate Research Program.
  • Get involved in more than one student media organization to expand your knowledge of different mediums.
  • Attend a Career Services Workshop this year (e.g., Etiquette Dinner or Have Lunch with a Career).
  • Do informational interviewing with three people; ask to job shadow one.
  • Attend the Diversity Conference.
  • Meet with your academic adviser to ensure you are on track in your concentration and to go over options to set aside time to study abroad and/or intern.

Third-Year Students

Aspirer

Develop credentials, immerse yourself in the field with experiential learning.

  • Present your work at Scholars Day.
  • Take ethics-focused upper-division courses.
  • Begin working on your e-portfolio, including samples from your classes and student media organizations.
  • Become a leader in a student media organization, such as an editor, director or executive board member.
  • Attend the SUNY Undergraduate Research Program.
  • Present and/or attend Scholars Day or another conference; do an Independent Study; study abroad; chair a campus club or sport.
  • Attend the Diversity Conference.
  • Meet with your academic adviser to ensure you are on track in your concentration and to go over options to set aside time to study abroad and/or intern.

Fourth-Year Students

Dreamer

Get ready to launch your career! Finalize e-portfolio, refine interviewing skills, and apply for jobs.

  • Take the capstone class in your concentration area.
  • Create an e-portfolio in 496.
  • Apply as a Teaching/Research Assistant.
  • Take ethics-focused upper-division courses.
  • Complete your e-portfolio, including samples from your classes, internships and media organizations.
  • Obtain your second internship or continue with your first one.
  • Join Lamda Pi Eta, the department’s National Honor Society, upon invitation based on your GPA.
  • Present at Research & Internship Day.
  • Attend alumni-delivered talk (at least one organized each year).
  • Attend Career Services event; get a professional photo for LinkedIn account and professional networking workshop.
  • Attend one Have Lunch with a Career (Career Services event) and/or attend alum workshops.
  • Present at Scholars Day or another conference; do an Independent Study; study abroad; chair a campus club or sport.
  • Attend the Diversity Conference.
  • Meet with your academic adviser to ensure you are on track for graduation.

Student Media Organizations