Year by Year Checklist

Sometimes it may seem unclear or nebulous about what you should be doing during your time at Swarthmore to prepare for life beyond Swarthmore. This list is not extensive or definitive, but potential things you could be doing at different points in your Swarthmore journey.

  • Learn about what resources are available on campus to support you including financial, identity & cultural, academic, and others
  • Get involved in a variety of activities on campus including clubs, student groups, student employment opportunities, volunteering, events (i.e. go outside your comfort zone!)
  • Create & Customize Your Handshake Profile
  • Attend a Career Services Event 
  • Create or update on your résumé during Career Fellow Drop-Ins
    • Learn how to leverage and discuss your high school experiences for college & career success
  • Schedule an appointment with Career Services to figure out next steps to exploring your interests

  • Create a LinkedIn Profile
  • Consider taking on leadership roles on campus
  • Schedule an appointment with Career Services before/while you craft your Sophomore plan for your proposed major
  • Cultivate relationships with professors, peers and/or alumni
  • Update your resume with your new extracurriculars and experiences
  • Attending the Tri-College Career Fair to being to explore industries, internship opportunities and talk to employers

  • Reflect on past experiences (internships, coursework, extracurriculars, etc.) to:
    • Determine options for next steps: deciding to pursue graduate school, internship opportunities, conferences, and more. 
    • Help craft responses for interview questions or applications
  • Check back in with mentors & connections on campus to update them on your experiences and current interests
  • Build out a profile & connect with alumni on SwatLink
  • Build related skills through LinkedIn Learning courses, AESOP Academy trainings (offered through Career Services)
  • Schedule an appointment with Career Services to adjust or begin a potential post-graduate plan

  • Reflect on faculty, staff or mentors that would be willing to serve as a reference or recommender
  • Consider if and when you want to take any post-graduate exams (e.g. GRE, MCAT, LSAT, etc.)
  • Compile & organize previous examples of your work (e.g. a portfolio) to help when you begin to apply for post-graduate opportunities
  • Strengthen your existing connections or initiate new professional connections through LinkedIn and/or SwatLink