The career development process is ongoing.  You will engage in career related activities like assessing your interests, exploring career opportunities, developing career related skills, gaining career knowledge, identifying career paths and practicing lifelong career management throughout the different phases of your life.  The following steps can give you more insight to the process and the above mentioned activities:

1. Step One: Assess your values, interests, and skills. 
Take an assessment to learn more about your interests.

2. Step Two: Explore academic majors and career options. 
Set up a meeting with your academic advisor to learn more.  Take a class in a specific area of interests.  Use the O*Net or the Occupational Outlook Handbook to learn more about opportunities in your desired field.  Conduct an informational interview with someone with a similar major or in the field you are interested in pursuing.  

3. Step Three: Develop job search skills. 
Start networking with various individuals, groups, and organizations to learn more about your field and find out about available opportunities.  National and local student and professional associations are great places to start.

4. Step Four: Gain career-related experience. 
Get an internship, part-time job, or volunteer in your field to get hands on experience.  The AU Job Listings has opportunities in various disciplines.

5. Step Five: Research job opportunities, companies, and salary expectations.
Identify full time job opportunities, research companies, and familiarize yourself with salary information.  Use all of the resources at your disposal to connect with employers and desired opportunities.  Newspapers, job fairs, and the Internet are a few avenues you can use.

6. Step Six: Practice life-long career management. 
It is important to continue to hone and develop your skills as you advance in your career. Learn something new by taking a course, completeing an advanced degree, getting involved with your community or volunteering to take on new and challenging projects at your place of employment.