FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

  • Know who your adviser is and how to contact him/her.
  • Be able to navigate MyAkron, including accessing and using your DPR (Degree Progress Report) audit.
  • Become familiar with the Curriculum Guide for your major.
  • Explore academic, career, and personal interests.    
  • Become familiar with the General Education requirements.
  • Know how to access the Curriculum Guides for individual majors.
  • Become familiar with UA academic calendar/deadlines, add/drop, registration dates, etc.
  • Become familiar with UA student clubs and the co-curricular experience– get started at OrgSync.
  • Understand the University’s expectation for student behavior (The University of Akron Student Code of Conduct) and the consequences of behavior on future employment.
  • Learn to manage your time successfully so that you are able to complete assignments and still manage personal responsibilities (including coming to understand that sometimes you cannot do it all).
  • Learn to ask for help when you need it rather than attempting to deal with overwhelming situations, including attending your instructors office hours alone.
  • Learn about/take care of financial aid responsibilities, including filing FAFSA on time.
  • Discover your own personal learning style and learn how you can use it to be a more successful student.
  • Become familiar with campus services (Office of Accessibility (OOA), Career Services, Counseling Center (CC), Office of Multicultural Development (OMD), etc.
  • Learn what future employers expect of their employees and adopt a level of academic integrity that will provide a foundation of ethical behavior in the career arena.                           
  • Discover/assess skills, values, talents, strengths, and weaknesses.

SOPHOMORE STUDENTS

  • Work with your adviser to begin to narrow your interests to determine a major if not admitted to your major.
  • Explore experiences that will help you clarify goals and interests (co-ops, internships, undergraduate research opportunities, professional organizations, mentorships, student employment, volunteerism, study abroad, etc.).
  • Explore course requirements (What IF? feature in DPR) for potential majors, minors or certificates and start to make faculty contacts in the respective departments.
  • Determine if your strengths and interests fit your major/career choice through discussion with your adviser and a career counselor in the Career Services.
  • Visit Career Services and begin to develop a resume, cover letter, and/or portfolio.
  • Explore/apply for UA scholarships and other scholarship sources and adhere to deadlines.

JUNIOR STUDENTS

  • Get to know your faculty adviser/mentor in your major, minor or certificate plan.
  • Get to know 2 to 3 faculty members in your major field of study- important for letters of recommendation.
  • Complete a junior review and update your advising worksheets with your college adviser. Check your DPR report.
  • Register with Career Services (if you haven’t already) to map out a job search plan.
  • Research criteria for internship and co-op opportunities - visit Career Services; meet deadlines for participation.
  • Research multiple career options within your field of study to determine best fit.
  • Make academic, career, personal decisions – it’s a lifelong skill!
  • Research employment or graduate school options and requirements for admission and/or employment.        
  • Begin the networking process; consider participating in career/employment fairs.
  • Be aware of graduation process/dates/deadlines.
  • See faculty adviser for input on identifying and addressing additional education/skills needed for employment or for graduate school.  Check registration dates for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.).

SENIOR STUDENTS

  • Begin the graduation application process.  Check your DPR report.
  • Get to know 2 to 3 faculty members in your field of study - important for letters of recommendation.
  • Polish your resume, cover letter, and portfolio.
  • Take advantage of Career Fairs and on-campus interview opportunities.
  • Apply to graduate or professional school(s).
  • Prepare to market yourself to potential employers/graduate schools by articulating your skills and knowledge acquired through your course of study.
  • Continue networking.

Pre-Professional Health Advising

Congratulations on considering a career in the health field!  Your education here at The University of Akron is the foundation to your continued pursuit of graduate/professional school, and Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences is committed to assisting you achieve your dreams! Please visit the Pre-Professional Health Resources page for more information.