Start out by thinking about the industries you find interesting and begin researching companies and careers that exist within it. Dedicate time each week to doing research and soon you will have a better idea of what that industry offers. If you find out that you are not that interested in a particular industry – that’s great as half the battle lies in knowing what you don’t want to do.

For suggestions on some companies to research check out where fellow McMaster Alumni from your area of study have worked.

SCCE staff are available by appointment to assist you in determining what job opportunities or career options are best suited for your overall career development.

• Opportunities Expo (Summer Career Fair)
• OSCARplus including McWork jobs, On-Campus Recruitment Summer (off-campus, academically relevant positions), general summer jobs and the Summer Career Experience Program
• Research Competitions
• Summer job help

It is most important to be organized during your job search and to create a plan that will keep you on track.

• Create a chart with all of the different industries, career options and companies that interest you. Include job sites, associations and anyone you have contacted
• Check job and company sites weekly to be sure you are aware of all new opportunities
• Once you start making contacts document who you have spoken to, the date you talked to them and what you discussed
• If you leave a message and give a date you will call back on, make sure you follow through
• When you apply to jobs ensure that you keep a copy of the job posting, make a note of the date you applied and attach a copy of the resume and cover letter you sent to the company
• Be aware that companies may call you back a week later or even 6 months later, as many companies will file your resume for other opportunities. By keeping organized you will be able to recall that position, company and your resume information quickly and prepare for the interview!

• Use the internet to research the different types of careers that exist. For example, if you type the phrase “What can I do with a degree in biology” into the Google search engine you will get hundreds of sites with all sorts of different information related to a biology degree
• Make note of the careers that interest you and do a more specific search on each one
• Company websites, professional association websites and online job boards are excellent sources of information on specific occupations
• A lot of recruiting takes place online. Many companies use recruitment websites to post opportunities including McMaster’s own OSCARplus
• Check out the job board section for your academic discipline and find jobs to apply to and job titles to research that are more closely related to your degree

There will be many opportunities during your undergraduate studies to expand your network and meet people who can assist you in your career development. Check out some resources, ideas and advice below to help you grow your network.

Events that Can Help you Build your Network

• Career nights hosted by SCCE and your department’s student society
• Career events such as Career Fair, Continuing Education Fair and Graduate Studies Open House
• Company Information Sessions
• Job Shadow Week

Get Involved and Get Connected

• Conduct informational interviews with a mentor
• Talk to professors and administrative staff in your department
• Talk to your TA and other graduate students
• Get involved in your sub society
• Attend ‘Meet the Prof’s’ events in your department
• Create a professional LinkedIn profile

Resources to Get Started

• Link to OSCARplus or the SCCE Calendar to see a listing of upcoming events
• Read tips on how to create an elevator speech and how this will help you network better
• Book an appointment with our office to learn about the tools of networking such as informational interviews, email and telephone scripts and more….

Build your resume! Volunteer, paid, long or short term…the skills gained from relevant experience is highly valued from a potential employer’s perspective.

Search Job Postings both on and off campus. Working will help you gain experience to round out and enhance your academic skills and increase your competitive edge.

• Resume
• Cover letter