The My Career Path Toolkit provides a library of resources for campus partners to help communicate effectively about and promote the new online career services tool offered by the Pomerantz Career Center.

How to Use My Career Path

Introduction

Career conversations are easier than ever!

The Pomerantz Career Center is proud to introduce My Career Path, a site that provides 24/7 access to career expertise and advice. Students can use My Career Path to receive personalized suggestions, track their progress, and feel confident in their career preparation.

Thank you for sharing this valuable resource with your students. This toolkit includes materials and content to reach students in a variety of ways:

  • Quarter and half-sheet flyers

  • Suggested language and ideas for advising, supervision, and instruction

  • Social media graphics

  • Digital sign and PowerPoint template

Campus partners are invited to promote their career-related events and programs on My Career Path. You can submit upcoming opportunities on careerpath.uiowa.edu.

We would love to discuss how My Career Path can serve your team and students. Contact us at pcc-careerpath@uiowa.edu to learn more.

Student Feedback

Survey responses out of 226 unique student users.

When would it be most helpful to use My Career Path?

  • 126 said before meeting with an advisor
  • 129 said before attending a Career Fair
  • 152 said when I need direction
  • 151 said to track and monitor my career development

From whom would you expect to hear about My Career Path?

  • 201 said Academic Advisors
  • 176 said faculty
  • 154 said Career Coaches
  • 83 said student leaders

What would encourage you to visit My Career Path?

  • 92 said class assignments
  • 109 said recommendation from faculty/staff
  • 129 said email reminder
  • 163 said link in MyUI

Student Testimonials

“I really liked how easy it was to use, this made me feel less stress when thinking about my future career.”

“I like the idea of this project and the clear, individualized experience that it provides. I think the icons paired with the options to save, check, etc. is super user friendly.”

“The suggestions from My Career Path are great starting points for those who need direction for their major!”

“I really enjoyed that it doesn’t need to be accessed with an advisor, but just yourself. That’s helpful because you can really dig into what you are needing at that specific time.”

“I enjoyed the ‘Suggested Activities’ segment of the website. Although I consider myself fairly active on campus, I still hadn’t heard of any of these activities!”

Suggestions for Supervisors

In Conversations About Goals

Suggested language for communications:

  • Visit My Career Path and save three activities you would like to complete this semester. What activities did you select and why?

  • Visit My Career Path and mark any activities you have completed. Review your progress chart (on “My Progress”). Identify one career milestone you would like to develop this year. Write a SMART goal (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-sensitive) for how you will work toward this milestone.

In Performance Reviews

Suggested language for communications:

  • Visit My Career Path and mark any activities you have completed. Review your progress chart (on “My Progress”). Identify one career milestone you would like to develop this year. Write a SMART goal (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-sensitive) for how you will work toward this milestone.

  • Review the goal you wrote earlier this semester about career milestones. Visit My Career Path and review your progress chart. Have you made progress toward this milestone? Why or why not?

Suggestions for Advisors and Coaches

In Advising Meetings

Suggested language for communications:

  • Prior to our meeting, please visit My Career Path and complete/update your Preferences. We will use this tool to discuss your career development and next steps.

  • Thank you for meeting today! I encourage you to visit My Career Path to continue your progress.

During a meeting:

  • Review “View My Career Communities” to explore search terms for jobs/internships, professional organizations, and resources.

  • Complete “My Preferences” together. This form is a great resource for reflection and discussion topics, such as:

    • Learning about career fields/industries

    • Thinking through one’s support network

    • Considering activities/experiences that contribute to career development

    • Gauging career readiness, including feelings

  • Review suggested activities and ask the student to select three activities they would like to complete this semester.

  • Review progress chart (on “My Progress”) and ask the student what milestone(s) they want to develop this year.

In a Presentation

Suggested language for communications:

  • My Career Path recommends career development activities and tracks progress toward career milestones.

  • Anyone with a HawkID and password can use it.

  • Students will receive personalized suggestions based on their career interests and plans.

  • It’s an easy and non-intimidating way to get started on career development now.

Suggestions for Instructors

In a Syllabus

Suggested language:

  • You are encouraged to visit My Career Path for additional activities that will complement our curriculum and your career development. In addition to tailored suggestions, My Career Path tracks your progress and shows how completed activities advance your career milestones.

In a Class Meeting

  • Direct students to visit My Career Path and complete “My Preferences.” In pairs, discuss: What activities/experiences did you mark as having completed? How have these activities/experiences contributed to your career development?

  • Direct students to visit My Career Path. Go around the room and ask each student to share one Suggested Activity they found interesting or helpful.

  • Direct students to visit My Career Path and mark any activities they have completed. Break into four small groups according to milestone. Have each group brainstorm ways a student can develop this milestone.

    • Career planning & reflection (activities that help you to reflect on career goals and develop a personal career plan)

    • Career experiences (Activities connected to career development and goals)

    • Career articulation (Activities that help you prepare for the job search)

    • Connections to employers or alumni (Activities to expand your network)

In an Assignment

Suggested language:

  • Visit My Career Path and complete “My Preferences.” Write 200 words in response to one of the following prompts (your choice):

    • What activities/experiences did you mark as having completed? How have these activities/experiences contributed to your career development?

    • What was your response to “Do you have trusted people that you can talk to for helpful career advice?” Why did you select the answer you did? If you selected “No, I’m on my own,” what is one step you can take to build your support network?

    • What was your response to “How are you feeling today about your career pathway preparation?” Why did you select the answer you did?

  • Visit My Career Path. What is one Suggested Activity that you learned about? Do you plan to complete this activity? Why or why not?

  • Visit My Career Path and save three activities you would like to complete this semester. What activities did you select and why?

  • Visit My Career Path and mark any activities you have completed. Print your progress chart (on “My Progress”) to PDF.

  • Visit My Career Path and mark any activities you have completed. Review your progress chart (on “My Progress”). Identify one career milestone you would like to develop this year. Write a SMART goal (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-sensitive) for how you will work toward this milestone.

  • Review the goal you wrote earlier this semester about career milestones. Visit My Career Path and review your progress chart. Have you made progress toward this milestone? Why or why not?

See Career Modules for more information on using career content in your course.

Career Modules

My Career Path offers exclusive career content hosted on ICON. Explore modules by clicking “All Activities” and filtering for Career Modules. Faculty/staff can easily integrate content by directing students to save work and upload finished documents to their course site. Potential discussion items, class activities, and/or assignments include:

Directions for All Modules

  1. Visit My Career Path.

  2. Click “All Activities.”

  3. Filter for Career Modules.

  4. Follow the link to access and complete the module.

Resume Module

Suggested language:

  • Complete the activity “Identify Your Transferable Skills.”

  • Complete the activity “Writing Bullet Points.”

  • Complete the activity “Reading a Job Description.”

Career Exploration Module

Suggested language:

  • Read the descriptions of career assessments. Select one career assessment and explain how it may be helpful in your career exploration.

  • Complete the activity “Career Exploration Worksheet.”

  • Complete the activity “Preparing for an Informational Interview.”

Interviewing Module

Suggested language:

  • Complete the activity “Practice Interview Questions.”

  • Complete the activity “Practice STAR method.”

  • Complete the activity “Practice Interviewing with Big Interview.” Access the AI Feedback report by clicking the bronze, silver, or gold “AI” medal.

Internship Search Module

Suggested language:

  • Watch the video “Employer Perspectives on Internships.” What is one thing you learned that you can apply to your internship search?

  • Complete the “Internship Search Worksheet.”

  • Add three target organizations to the “Search Organizer.” Complete all fields within the row, including application requirements and deadline.

Networking Module

Suggested language:

  • Watch the video “Networking: Key Skills:” What skills help you to build and maintain relationships? What skills would you like to develop further?  
  • Complete the activity “Networking Scenario Analysis.”
  • Complete the activity “Networking SMART Goals.”

Marketing Materials