Career Pathways

Having a successful career after graduation requires experience and planning. The Lighthouse’s Pathway to See Change Program helps students to gain critical experiences necessary for professional success. Our Career Development Program (CDP) is available to all Virginia Wesleyan students and alumni as they plan their careers.

The Lighthouse’s CDP offers students a variety of services to help them to identify possible career paths and to develop professional profiles. Our services are available to all students and alumni.

We believe that the cornerstone of a rewarding career is a plan. We have developed a roadmap to take students from the classroom to professional success.

During your first year of college, you should take time to explore possible majors and careers. First-year students have considerable time to make career decisions; however, we recommend that you begin to research possible careers during your first year at Virginia Wesleyan. Our Career Development Program (CDP) can help you.

Some tips & services for first-year students:

  • Take courses that you enjoy. They will likely lead to a career that you will also enjoy.
  • Discuss possible career options with faculty who teach courses that you enjoy.
  • Take our FOCUS-2 online self-guided, interactive program. It is designed to help you to select a major and plan your career based on your personal interests, values, skills, personality, and aspirations. It’s free to all Virginia Wesleyan students. You might find 3 sections particularly helpful:
    • Self-Assessment
    • Academic Strengths
    • Career Readiness
  • Log on to Handshake, activate your account, and use it to explore jobs and fields of interest.
  •  Shadow a professional in a potential career field.
  • Build a resume. Begin to acquire professional experiences that help you to develop essential professional skills.
  • Volunteer. Virginia Wesleyan’s Wesleyan Engaged Office can help identify volunteer opportunities.
Contact Career Development in the Lighthouse at careerdevelopment@vwu.edu for more information.

During your second year of college, you should focus on selecting a major in a field that you enjoy. As you select a major, consider its possible career implications.

Remember that a liberal arts degree is excellent preparation for rewarding careers. A liberal arts education helps to develop a set of essential skills that lay the foundation for professional success. These include the abilities to solve complex problems, to synthesize information, to be open to others’ perspectives, and to communicate effectively.

As you deliberate seriously on possible majors and careers, our Career Development Program (CDP) can help you.

Some tips & services for second-year students:

  • Take courses that you enjoy. They will likely lead to a career that you will also enjoy.
  • Discuss possible career options with faculty who teach courses that you enjoy.
  • Take our FOCUS-2 online self-guided, interactive program. It is designed to help you to select a major and plan your career based on your personal interests, values, skills, personality, and aspirations. It’s free to all Virginia Wesleyan students. You might find 3 sections particularly helpful:
    • Self Assessment
    • Academic Strengths
    • Career Readiness
  • Use What can I do with this major?  to help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.
  • Log on to Handshake, activate your account, and use it to explore jobs and fields of interest and find opportunities to connect with employers on and off campus.
  • Undertake an externship in a potential career field.
  • Build a resume. Participate in experiences that help you to develop essential professional skills.
  • Volunteer. Virginia Wesleyan’s Wesleyan Engaged Office can help identify volunteer opportunities.
  • Contact Career Development in the Lighthouse at careerdevelopment@vwu.edu for more information.

During your third year of college, you should focus on developing career expertise and a professional profile. Above all, this is the time to acquire professional experience that will give you the edge in your career search. This includes undertaking an internship.

As you consider possible careers and internship opportunities, our Career Development Program (CDP) can help you.

Some tips & services for third-year students:

  • Take courses that you enjoy. They will likely lead to a career that you will also enjoy.
  • Discuss possible career options with faculty who teach courses that you enjoy.
  • Attend career events to start building your job and internship search network.
  • Use What can I do with this major?  to help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.
  • Update your resume
  • Use Handshake, activate your account, upload your updated resume, explore jobs and fields of interest and find opportunities to connect with employers on and off campus.
  • Undertake an internship in a potential career field or apply for Micro-Internships to begin developing your skills and testing career options.
  • Contact Career Development in the Lighthouse at careerdevelopment@vwu.edu for more information.

During your fourth year of college, you should continue to focus on developing career expertise and a professional profile. This includes undertaking an internship and searching for post-college employment.

As you apply for internships and career opportunities, our Career Development Program (CDP) can help you.

Some tips & services for fourth-year students:

  • Discuss possible career options with faculty who teach courses that you enjoy.
  • Discuss possible career options with professionals in your field.
  • Attend career events to start building your job and internship search network.
  • Use FOCUS-2  online self-guided, interactive program. It is designed to help you plan your career based on your personal interests, values, skills, personality, and aspirations. It’s free to all Virginia Wesleyan students. You might find 3 sections particularly helpful:
    • Your Career Planning Status in the Career Readiness
    • Explore the Possibilities
  • Use Handshake, activate your account, upload your updated resume, explore jobs and fields of interest and find opportunities to connect with employers on and off campus.  Don’t forget to update your email address after graduation so you can still access this resource.
  • Undertake an internship in a potential career field or apply for Micro-Internships to help launch your career.
  • Contact Career Development in the Lighthouse at careerdevelopment@vwu.edu for more information.