Recommended Four-Year Roadmap
Employers are looking for much more than just a high GPA from students—they also like to see engineering experience, leadership examples and work outside of the classroom. Below are some recommended actions to help you become a stronger student and candidate for employment.
Once You're Accepted to CU
- Apply to the Peer Mentor Program to connect with established students.
- Learn how to register for classes.
- Look up how
Year One
Get started!ÌýUpperclassmen often comment, "I wish I had started this earlier."
- Start exploring ChBE fields:
- Where are our graduates working?
- What fields interest you?
- Chart your education and career path with the ProReady program.
- Explore CEAS Jobs and Internship Resources:
- Handshake
- Online career tools
- Resume and CV development
- Join theÌýChBE Peer Mentor Program.
- Make aÌýÌýwhich highlights your experience and interests.
- Create a Handshake profile and upload your resume.
- Join the .
- Get to know recruiters and practice networking by attending career fairs, completing mock intervies and speaking with recruiters as early and often as possible.
- Always research the company/position beforehand and prepare some questions to ask.
- Have your resume and basic cover letter ready.
- Join , including professional organizations like AIChE,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,Ìý and
- Take an engineering projects course if possible (ask your advisor for more information).
- These build teamwork and leadership skills and are great to showcase on your resume.
Year Two
- Update your resume and cover letter.
- Highlight technical skillsets (lab skills, software knowledge, programming, etc.).
- Join theÌýChBE Alumni Student Mentor ProgramÌý(note, this is different from the freshmen/seniorÌýPeer Mentor ProgramÌýmentioned above).
- Update your LinkedIn profile with recent accomplishments, training or experiences.
- °ä´Ç²Ô»å³Ü³¦³ÙÌýstudent research.
- Chair an event in a student society or other organization.
- Start to build your leadership skills and boost your resume.
- ³Õ´Ç±ô³Ü²Ô³Ù±ð±ð°ùÌý(, tutor at CU, in a research lab, etc.).
- Get to know your professors by attending office hours. Ask if you can help out with instruction or in their labs.
- You will need them as references and for letters of recommendation in the future!
- Continue to get to know recruiters and grow your network: attend career fairs, company info sessions and mock interviews.
- Intern your post-sophomore summer, if possible (not necessarily engineering, but anything science or industry related that you can find).
- Consider applying for an (or similar program) to gain experience and network connections at another university over the summer.
- Discuss whether you are interested in graduate school or industry with your advisor.
Year Three
- Update your resume and cover letter.
- Take on a position of leadershipÌýin a student society or other organization and plan/execute events.
- You will be able to show employers what you have accomplished as a leader, even if it is small in scale!
- Continue to volunteer with student groups, as a tutor or for faculty.
- Update your LinkedIn profile with new experiences and accomplishments.
- If you have not already done so, join theÌýChBE Alumni-Student Mentor Program.
- Join the local AIChE / ISPE / SWE / etc. regional professional group and attend meetings.
- Become a Course Assistant for a class.
- Continue to get to know recruiters and grow your network: attend career fairs, company info sessions and mock interviews.
- Review job postings on Handshake.
- Continue getting to know your professors, as you will need letters of recommendation and references.
- Continue to conduct undergraduate research (especially if you are interested in graduate school).
- Intern or co-op your post-junior year (ideally in an engineering field).
- If you are interested in graduate/medical/law school, start studying for the appropriate exam. See program websites for application requirements.
- Review your degree audit with your academic advisor to ensure you're on track to graduate.
- Apply for and attend an if you have not done so already.
- Discuss whether you want to attend graduate school or join industry with your advisor.
Year Four
- Update your resume and cover letter.
- High school information should be removed. Instead, showcase what you have done since becoming a student at CU Â鶹ӰԺ.
- Become a mentor in theÌýChBE Peer Mentor Program.
- Become a Course Assistant for a class.
- Take theÌý
- Update your LinkedIn profile.
- Continue to get to know recruiters and grow your network: attend career fairs, company info sessions and mock interviews.
- If you are interested in graduate/medical/law school, take the appropriate exam and apply.
- If you are looking for a job, use the personal network you have created over the years.