Career Checklist  

• DO NOT   wait until you are near graduation to get ready for your job/career search. Prepare as soon as you get into UNF!
   
• An internship can be crucial in making contacts and learning skills that can help you get a job after graduation. 
  An internship is not required in our major but recommended.  
   

Printable PDF Checklist

 CLICK "EXPAND ALL" BELOW
(for links and more info)

• PSPA FRESHMEN

• Look at the University’s Career Services website and become familiar with that office.
  Link:  https://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Career_Resources.aspx
• Register for CareerWINGS at
  http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/View_Job_Postings.aspx .  
• Take courses where you have an interest

  Examples:  International Relations, Public Law, American Politics and Public Administration.

• Look at the PSPA careers website including Alumni Testimonials to view various career options.
  Link:  http://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/Careers.aspx
• Interested in Law School. You should join the Pre-Law Program at UNF
  Link:  https://www.unf.edu/coas/prelaw/

• PSPA SOPHOMORES

• If you need some guidance on what direction your career might be headed take the course EDG 2000.
  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Career_Courses_Menu.aspx
• Take the Department’s Pre-Internship Course with Dr. Mary Borg | 1 hour. The courses introduces internship opportunities and resume preparation.
  Dr. Borg's Email:  mborg@unf.edu
• If you are interested in working on Political Campaigns, volunteer in a Campaign or with a Political Party.
  PSPA: http://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/Careers.aspx
• Talk to faculty members who teach in an area that you have an Interest.
  Link:  https://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/Faculty.aspx
• Meet with your Career Services “College Liaison” to develop your job search plan.

  Link : http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Career_Services_Staff.aspx

   
  
• Attend Career Services events, workshops and employer-sponsored sessions.
  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/employers/Upcoming_Events.aspx

• PSPA JUNIORS

• TRANSFER STUDENTS: Make sure to look at the items for Freshmen and Sophomores above.

  Focus on these two websites:
  http://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/Careers.aspx          

  https://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Career_Resources.aspx .
• TRANSFER STUDENTS: Make Sure to register in CareerWINGS
  Link:  http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/View_Job_Postings.aspx
• Interested in Law School. You should join the Pre-Law Program at UNF
  Link:  https://www.unf.edu/coas/prelaw/
• If you are not going to Graduate School or Law School, you should have a preliminary answer to this question:
  When I graduate, I would like to work as............a Teacher? Political Professional? Data Analyst? Government Relations Person? State Department Employee? Sales Person? Business Analyst? City Manager? Public Spokesperson for a Nonprofit? Congressional Assistant? Or?????????
• Start thinking about what skills you have or are developing that are a good match for your prospective job.
  Employers are looking for specific skills such as fundraising ability, ability to write professionally, ability to present complicated concepts to an audience, interpretation and presentation of data, and knowledge of other cultures and nations.
• Meet with Dr. Mary Borg, Ambassador Nancy Soderberg or Department Chair to find an appropriate internship.
  Link: http://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/Internships.aspx. Also, attend our Departments’ internship fair in February.
  
  Dr. Borg's Email: mborg@unf.edu
  Ambassador Soderberg Email: n.soderberg@unf.edu
• Develop a professional resume and an online portfolio.

  Tips for resume and cover letter writing are here: 

  http://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/Internships.aspx  or http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Career_Resources.aspx 

• Think about WHERE you would like to work and start developing personal contacts in that community.

  Make sure to use friends, relatives, past work references as potential contacts.  If YOU are staying in Jacksonville after graduation, get involved in young professional organization like IMPACTJAX. http://www.myjaxchamber.com/get-involved/impactjax/ . There are many other types of these organizations in the city.  Professional contacts and relationships matter!

• Attend additional Career Services events, workshops and employer-sponsored sessions.
  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/employers/Upcoming_Events.aspx
• Thinking about Graduate School?

  The  PSPA department   has two options:

  A Master of Public Administration : Link:  http://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/MPA/
  &   A Master of International Affairs: Link:  http://www.unf.edu/coas/pspa/MAIA/MAIA_Main_Page.aspx

  More information about other Political Science graduate programs is available here  http://www.apsanet.org/RESOURCES/For-Students .   

• PSPA SENIORS

• Attend additional Career Services events, workshops and employer-sponsored sessions.
  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/employers/Upcoming_Events.aspx
• Participate in the S.T.A.R. Program for services and workshops on Job Search, Resume Writing, and Interviewing.

  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/S_T_A_R__Program.aspx

   
  
• Review and update your resume to ensure it targets your career interests.
  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Resumes,_Curriculum_Vitae,_and_Cover_Letters.aspx
• Prepare for job interviews.

  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Job_Interviews.aspx

   

• Develop your job interview skills through practice interviews (InterviewStream)

  Link: (InterviewStream):  https://unf.interviewstream.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f

  and    https://unf.interviewstream.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f

   
  
• Update your profile in Career Wings to fully maximize recruiting programs and services.

  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/View_Job_Postings.aspx

• Seek job openings related to your career interests.

  Link:

  http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/View_Job_Postings.aspx ) 

  http://www.simplyhired.com
  http://www.careerbuilder.com
  
• Research companies with job opportunities related to your career interests and attend job fairs to meet with employer representatives

  Career Services: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Making_The_Most_of_A_Job_Fair.aspx

  Job Fairs Link:  http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/events/
• Build your professional and career network of contacts.

  Link: http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/Networking.aspx

   
  
• Utilize social media to expand your network

  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com
  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/

  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/

• Conclusion of Checklist

• Final Part of Checklist
  • Find a person who is doing the job you want to do and ask them if you can shadow them.
  • Make sure to keep developing your skills in research, writing, oral presentations, data analysis (SPSS & Excel), and knowledge of current events and trends.
  • Keep in contact with Career Services and the PSPA Department after you graduate from UNF. Opportunities can occur after you graduate.