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Careers

• Careers and the IS Major
• Preparation for the Job Market
• Preparation Guidelines by Year
• Working Internationally
• Campus Resources

Careers and the IS Major

The interdisciplinary approach of the IS major prepares you to engage in ever-expanding possibilities of work and scholarship after graduation. The skills you will develop in the major include:

• An ability to think analytically and critically;
• The capacity to write effectively, clearly, and persuasively;
• An ability to identify, evaluate, and use information effectively;
• Knowledge of research methods used in the social sciences and humanities;
• Foreign language skills to achieve a level of basic communication;
• Knowledge of other cultures

IS majors have gone on to work in many different fields. Business, law, education, and government are just some examples. It is up to you to assess your interests as they develop over the course of your college career, and to pursue your interests both in and outside the classroom. Supplementing your academic pursuits with extra-curricular activities that give you leadership, research, and management experience will augment your studies and help prepare you for most career paths. You may find this experience by participating in a student organization, volunteering with a community organization, completing an internship, or working at a part-time job with a local business. It’s up to you!

Preparation for the Job Market

Finding the right career for you isn't necessarily easy nor is it a straight path. Some students will graduate without a clear idea of "what they want to do when they grow up," and that's okay. Finding a job -- let alone a career path -- that is the right fit for you is a process that takes time.

You should remember this: your undergraduate education is just one part of your preparation for the job market. The other part is developing a set of skills that transfer across many different fields. In addition to developing skills, you want to accrue evidence that you can use these skills successfully. Employers look for smart people who can walk into a new job and succeed. They will look for evidence that you are one of these people. Lots of people have undergraduate degrees now, but not everyone has the skills needed for any particular job.

Part-time work, internships, volunteer positions, and participation in student organizations are all ways in which you can

1. learn about different kinds of jobs,
2. network with people in a field of interest,
3. develop a diverse skill set beyond the classroom,
4. establish references from employers or colleagues who can attest to your abilities and character in a work setting, and
5. find a mentor who can advise you about jobs in the field, further education, job applications, etc.

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General Guidelines by Year for Preparing IS Majors for the Job Market
Below are some things to think about as you explore the IS Major and think about the job market. Adapt these suggestions to your individual interests and needs.

First-Year Students
Focus: Exploring Majors, Getting Experience, Exploring Careers

• Attend the Majors Fair in fall
• Assess your interests, ethics and values, and current skill set. Identify skills that you would like to develop and brainstorm ways in which you can develop them
• Explore career options through career assessments, conversations, hands-on experience
• Attend workshops geared at exploring career options within a major, assessment workshops, and others offered by L&S Career Services and the Exploration Center
• Write a resume - begin creating a log of your experiences and update it regularly

Second-Year Students
Focus: Choosing a Major, Getting Experience, Exploring Careers, Planning to go Abroad

• Attend the Study Abroad Fair in early fall and apply to program of interest
• Update your resume
• Identify skills and experiences beneficial to potential career fields - which skills do you possess already and which do you need to develop?
• Seek out and obtain opportunities in interesting fields (campus events, international events, local and regional conferences, professional organizations, part-time employment, internships, etc.)
• Attend the Volunteer Fair in early fall
• Volunteer or work with a student organization to explore and test career interests

Third-Year Students
Focus: Getting Experience, Studying Abroad, Planning for Post-Graduation

• Update your resume
• Explore elective courses beneficial to career path
• Get involved with professors through research (a directed study or honors thesis) or a service-learning project
• Explore in depth the important people, businesses, and industry news in your fields of interest and stay abreast of the latest developments
• Conduct informational interviews with people in fields of interest
• Attend a Career Fair
• Attend Graduate School Fair and grad school preparation workshops
• Continue to hone your skill set through part-time work and/or internships
• Stay involved with volunteer and/or student organizations

Fourth- & Fifth-Year Students
Focus: Getting Experience, Beginning Job Search, Applying for Graduate School

• Expand your networking efforts (such as informational interviews, conferences, workshops for returning study abroad students, Alumni Association career events, etc)
• Continue to hone relationships with professors, colleagues, friends, and employers for letters of reccomendation, references, and networking
• Fine tune your resume and begin drafting sample cover letters - workshop them with L&S Career Services, the Writing Center, and Study Abroad
• Attend interview workshops and practice interviewing with friends, family, and career counselors
• Attend a Career Fair
• Compile grad school or job search materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, references, writing samples, etc.)
• Continue to hone your skill set through part-time work and/or internships
• Stay involved with volunteer and/or student organizations

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Working Internationally

Interested in working, interning, or volunteering abroad? You should follow the job preparation steps above and also consider the following things:

• Finding work, internships, and volunteer positions abroad can be time consuming and challenging. Start early!
• Research the area where you want to work and get a handle on key businesses and people. Be aware that what you can do from the US may be limited
• Use your time abroad to begin networking and researching industries. It'll make returning there later -- and further developing and maintaining your network abroad -- much easier!
• Translate your resume into the target language and format. Have a native speaker review it with you
• Get a handle on visa requirements, work permits, and their limitations
• Know your financial situation: do you have savings that can fund time abroad? Do you have loans that will need to be repaid (how much and when do payments start)?
• Meet with the Go Global! advisor who can help direct you to resources and help prepare you for international opportunities
• Attend IS Major workshops on working abroad and on using study abroad to prepare you for future international opportunities

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Career Preparation Resources on Campus

Campus Offices

Exploration Center
Offers workshops and individual advising geared toward major exploration and connections between majors and careers

L&S Career Services
Workshops and career fairs for students preparing for the job market. Resources for searching for internships and jobs. Resume and cover letter preparation, mock interviews, skill assessments, and more. Group and individual advising

Go Global!
Individual advising on online resources to assist in the search for international work

The Writing Center
Workshops and individual appointments on writing resumes, cover letters, personal statements, writing samples, and all your writing needs

Pre-Law & Pre-Med Advising
Information about law and medical schools, the application process and preparation. Workshops and individual advising

Morgridge Center for Public Service
Campus hub for volunteering, service learning, research and community involvement. Offers a volunteer fair and advising

Center for Leadership & Involvement
Campus portal for student organizations, campus jobs, and leadership opportunities. Offers advising

Useful Tools

BuckyNet
An interactive online system that allows you to search for jobs and internships, participate in on-campus interviews, and more.  Employers interested in Letters & Science students can view profiles and resumes. Before getting a login, students must attend a short orientation via web or workshop through L&S Career Services

GoinGlobal
Job search tools, employment resources, recruitment contacts, work permit regulations, salary information, professional and social networking groups, resume tips, interviewing and cultural info. Go to L&S Career Services to get free login & subscription information

Wisconsin Alumni Association Career Hub
Networking opportunities, tips, trends, workshops, and freely available listing of international alumni chapters and contacts

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