Resources to Bookmark

Handshake Event Calendar UPO Office
Tippie Career Services Tippie Toolkit

Explore

  • Learn how the Pomerantz Career Center can connect you to major and career exploration resources

  • Meet with a Career Coach at the Pomerantz Career Center to explore occupations and review the outcomes dashboard

  • Learn about majors related to Business functions

  • Explore how business is utilized within different industries and environments outside of traditional business settings

  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to explore majors related to business functions

  • Explore positions in Handshake or on the outcomes dashboard to learn about career options available

  • Register for CCP Courses, Intro to Business or First Year Seminar courses to explore majors and careers

  • Fill out the My Preferences tab on My Career Path and explore suggested activities

  • Explore business functions using library subject guides

  • Set up an informational interview or job shadow with a professional working in business

  • Explore student organizations related to business

  • Complete an exploration activity such as SparkPath Challenge Cards or YouScience

Prepare

  • Participate in volunteer experiences with non-profit organizations where you can use and develop project management, recruiting, and people management skills

  • Create your resume using Pomerantz Career Center or VMOCK

  • Have your resume reviewed by a Peer Career Advisor at the Pomerantz Career Center

  • Start a LinkedIn account and create a profile; get a professional headshot at Tippie or Pomerantz Career Center, follow companies and organizations of interest

  • Consider joining a student organization and attend the student organization sponsored job fairs

  • Complete your Handshake profile and upload your resume

  • Research and become knowledgeable of course requirements you need to fulfill a degree through the Course Catalog (e.g., Tippie RISE)

  • Explore the Pomerantz Career Center’s Business Career Community page to see different suggested search terms for internships and jobs and majors within this community

  • Attend Career Fairs sponsored by Pomerantz Career Center to learn about prospective employers

  • Read through the Pomerantz Career Center’s Interview Page to learn more about the flow of interviews along with different questions that may be asked

  • Initiate a conversation with a faculty member that you feel comfortable asking questions to to expand your knowledge about different majors, industry, and careers

  • Be aware of events offered by the University of Iowa, Tippie College of Business, Pomerantz Career Center, and Handshake

Experience

Now that you have prepared yourself for success, it’s time for hands-on opportunities! By partaking in the examples below, you can:

  1. Get experiences that can be utilized on your resume

  2. Form connections that increase your network of support

  3. Develop transferable skills that increase your professional development

Pomerantz Career Center Programs:

  • Register for career courses – The Pomerantz Career Center has many courses including ones pertaining to exploration, defining your career path, professionalism, and more

  • Attend a Career Trek – These opportunities take students to different businesses within an industry

  • Engage in a HawkShadow – A structured job shadow program

  • Participate in a Mock Interview – Practice and hone in on your interviewing skills

Additional Experiences:

  • Informational Interviews – Also known as Career Conversations, these involve reaching out to someone in the field and asking a range of questions to learn more about their career and determine if it’s a good fit for your interests

  • Gain general work experience by working in a Student Employment position or an off-campus job

  • Take on a leadership role or volunteer for business-related responsibilities within a student organization

  • Meet with a Career Coach to talk about what would most benefit you in your journey in Pre-Business (e.g., Cover Letter Help, Networking, Personal Branding, etc.)

  • Attend a Handshake Event

Achieve

By exploring which facets of business interest you, preparing steps to reach your goals, and gaining experience to build your knowledge base, you’re now ready to achieve!

That can mean a wide array of things—whether it’s enrolling in Tippie, pursuing a major in another department with a business-related goal in mind (like Interdepartmental Studies, Enterprise Leadership, Communications, Psychology, etc.), or something entirely different that you discovered on your own.

No matter what path you take, the Pomerantz Career Center is here to support you and cheer you on!

Next Steps:

  • Reflect on your exploration, preparation, and experiences: What did you learn about yourself?
  • What work environment could you see yourself in?
  • What other experiences could you do?
  • Meet with your academic advisor to talk through next steps
  • Meet with a Career Coach to strategize your next steps
  • Continue engaging in career-related events
  • Reach out to the Pomerantz Career Center with any career questions you have!