OVERVIEW
Plan Your Career
Determine your career goals and create a career plan to help you stay on track! Utilize the tools and resources in the pages below to learn more about yourself and the job market, determine your career goals, and create a strategic career plan to help you achieve job satisfaction and career success.
Career Identity
WGU is here to support you wherever you are in your career journey. We have highlighted specific resources below that learners have found valuable related to their career stage and job search. Whether you are a career starter, changer, or advancer, Career & Professional Development is here to support you with your next steps!
- Career Starter
- Career Changer
- Career Advancer
Career Starter
A career starter is just what it sounds like – someone who is looking to get started in their target career. Perhaps you’ve held jobs before, but they have been unrelated to your career goals or you’ve been out of the workforce for many years. Or perhaps you’re looking for your first professional experience. These resources are a great place to start.
Explore Your Options. Defining a clear career goal will help you plan more effectively and reach your goal more quickly and easily. Download the Career Exploration Guide for clearly defined steps in how to explore career options and set a clear career goal.
Network. Use WGU Handshake to research employers and connect with fellow WGU students and alumni. Networking is simply establishing and leveraging relationships through conversations with people who are and will become your friends and community of colleagues as you go through your career. Developing your network is easy because you know more people than you think you know. Start developing your network today by exploring our Networking Resources.
Develop a Plan. Having a clear career plan is an essential part of carrying out your career goal. Check out Career Planning Resources with practical tips about how to develop your career plan, including a step-by-step guide to help you find gaps between your goal and where you are now, and take action to achieve that goal.
Career Changer
If you have recent experience but are looking to make a major change to your job title or industry, you’re a career changer. For example, maybe you’re an experienced Software Engineer who’s ready to start a new chapter by becoming a Registered Nurse. Take a look at these resources for help in navigating this transition.
Clarify Your Plan. Synthesize information gathered and the goals you have set to put a comprehensive career plan in place.
Grow Your Network. Your network can make a significant impact on helping you take those next steps in your career. Check out these networking resources to continue to expand and leverage your network.
Pursue Professional Development. Whether you are currently employed in the position you desire or are searching for a new position, it never hurts to keep yourself informed, educated, and up-to-date in your professional realm. Check out these Professional Development Resources.
Career Advancer
Career advancers are in their target career path and industry and are looking for opportunities to grow professionally and move up. Perhaps you’ve been a Marketing Coordinator for a few years and are looking to advance to a Marketing Manager role. Utilize these resources to plan the next steps towards attaining your professional goals.
Prepare for Job Search. Check out these job search resources to develop strong marketing materials, implement strategic job search strategies, leverage your network, and ace that upcoming interview.
Grow Your Network. Your network can make a significant impact on helping you take those next steps in your career. Check out these networking resources to continue to expand and leverage your network.
Pursue Professional Development. Whether you are currently employed in the position you desire or are searching for a new position, it never hurts to keep yourself informed, educated, and up-to-date in your professional realm. Check out these Professional Development Resources.
Self-assessment
"It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy."- Lucille Ball
The first step in deciding on a career or job is to think about who you are. The process of self-assessment is one in which you attempt to objectively identify your values, personality, interests, and abilities. Utilize the resources below to assist in identifying potential career options that are a good fit for you.
Career Guides
We often have students contact us with questions relating to “what can I do with a degree in (insert degree name)?” We have assembled the following resources to help WGU students explore the career paths commonly associated with their respective degree.
The career guides provided offer information on common career areas that students enter with this degree. Please note that the areas and information are representative of typical career paths associated with each major and are not an exhaustive list.
Occupational and Industry Research
Gathering information about different occupations will help you discover whether a particular career is right for you. Using your self-assessment results as your guide, take time to learn about a variety of occupations including the job duties, employment outlook, salaries, and educational and training requirements associated with each occupation.
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop is your source for career exploration, training & jobs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
CareerOneStop Videos
Explore a collection of videos on hundreds of different careers. Videos include career details such as tasks, work settings, and education needed.
O*NET Online
O*NET offers detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
Occupational Research Handout
Utilize this handout to assist you in compiling occupational and industry information.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
Find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Career Action Plan
The first thing you need to look at is, what's your goal? Clearly identify it and work backwards, defining all the milestones you'll need to hit in order to reach it. Big projects look like a giant mountain that's really scary to have to climb. Instead imagine each of the steps you will need to take are small hills, easily climbed.- Dr. Chaz Austin
Graduate School
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." -Dr. Suess
Are you considering graduate school upon completion of your WGU degree? For many professions, graduate school is required or strongly preferred. Graduate school can be a way to build your credentials or earn more money. Or perhaps you are a life-long learner and want to continue your education by earning a master’s or doctorate degree. Regardless of your motivation for attending graduate school, you will want to start planning so that you have a strong application and meet all deadlines. The process, application materials, and deadlines for graduate programs vary, so be sure to check the website of the university and department you are interested in for specific deadlines and requirements.
How do I order an official transcript?
Questions regarding transcripts should be directed to records@wgu.edu.
Note: Official transcripts will not be released to anyone whose financial obligations are not met.
I’m applying to another university for a graduate or terminal degree program. What should I expect? Will they accept my WGU education?
Please note that each university has its own process and admission requirements for graduate school or terminal degree program. Candidates for graduate school are examined in different areas including the strength of their application/essay, letters of recommendation, and graduate school test scores. Additionally, some schools require applicants to have experience in the field, or to have a particular GRE score or GMAT score, while others require a combination of both. Generally, most schools require that a student have graduated from an accredited program. Since WGU (or its individual programs or colleges) is regionally, CAEP, CCNE*, ACBSP, and CAHIIM accredited, the university satisfies the requirement of an accredited program. Our WGU graduates have been accepted into graduate school programs by many traditional universities.
*The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing, master's degree programs in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
- Examples of where WGU graduates have continued their education
- Letter explaining WGU's grading policy
Graduate School Resources
- WGU Graduate Programs
- Peterson's - Find the school or scholarship that's right for you
- GradSchools.com - "The 1# Graduate School Directory in the Nation"
- Graduate School Checklist
- Graduate School Comparison Chart
- Guide to Personal Statements
Graduate Admissions Exams
Many graduate schools require admissions tests (e.g., GRE, GMAT, LSAT). Visit the website for the university and graduate program you are interested in to find out more. Be aware that there are often deadlines for taking these exams.
- GRE - www.gre.org
- LSAT - www.lsac.org
- MCAT - www.aamc.org
- GMAT - www.mba.com
Paying for Graduate School
As you consider graduate programs, you will also want to think about how you are going to fund your graduate education. Fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, and other forms of grants, scholarships, and financial aid are often available. To find out what types of funding are available, see the website of the university and graduate program you are interested in. Be aware that there are often additional application materials and deadlines required for fellowships and assistantships.
- studentaid.gov - Helpful information on scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid
Gaining Experience
Are you transitioning careers or lack work experience related to your program of study? It can be challenging to determine how to "get your foot in the door" when positions often ask for 2-3 years of relevant experience. We have compiled five strategies to help you build the skills and experience needed to land that first position.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
WGU Career & Professional Development is committed to assisting students in exploring career and job opportunities. If you are interested in our assistance, please contact us. Our Career Advisors are looking forward to working with you in pursuing your career endeavors! If you have any further questions or concerns regarding WRP, please contact a WRP School Coordinator:
- Marcie Dimac
- Micall Searles
Informational Interviews
Informational interviewing is a powerful (and underutilized) career exploration and networking tool that can jump start your career. In an informational interview, you are seeking leads and information regarding an industry, a career path or an employer by talking to people you know or who have been referred to you.
To access LinkedIn Learning videos, please first login with your WGU credentials:
*If you have not yet registered with Big Interview:
- Visit the link: https://wgu.biginterview.com/
- Select the GREEN “Register” button in the upper right hand corner
- Enter your WGU email address, First Name, Last Name and Password of your choice
- Select the GREEN “Create My Account” button