Welcome to the OPCD website. We're here to help you get started on your career odyssey.
Questions? Email career@udallas.edu
Exploration: What to do when you're just getting started.
Finding your major.
Every journey starts somewhere and one of the best places to start is to figure out what you want to major in. A list of UD majors can be found here. If everything (or even nothing) sounds interesting, reach out to your career advisor, professors and upperclassmen. Talking to other students and professors is one of the best ways to narrow down what to study. If you're still stumped, you can make an appointment with your career advisor.
Focus2.
Another way to discover what your skills and interests are is Focus2. This resource asks you questions to help determine what types of major and careers you might be interested in. Once you have a list of them, explore their ins and outs on the Department of Labor's website. They have tons of information on required education, experience, salary and job stability.
What Can I Do With This Major?
Lastly, if you're still drawing a blank look at What Can I do with This Major. This massive website gives you potential careers for every major. Its extensive database is a fantastic way to see a ton of options and figure out what sounds interesting to you.
Development: How to Gain Experience
On-Campus Clubs & Orgs
By joining a club or organization you're gaining meaningful experience which you can leverage on your resume. Find a list of clubs and organizations here.
On-Campus Jobs
If you qualify for Federal Work Study (determined by your FAFSA), utilize HR's Blueboard (found on the UD Intranet - Search Human Resources) to find an on-campus work study job. These jobs work with your class schedule, allow you to gain measurable experience and even get paid. These are great ways to demonstrate to future jobs and internships that you are qualified for their positions.
Volunteering
Another fantastic way of gaining experience is by volunteering. Not only are you giving back to your community but you're learning skills that can demonstrate knowledge relevant to the workforce. You can even get class credit for it! Learn more through Campus Ministry's website.
Shadowing
Some careers don't offer internships. If you're interested in the medical field, for example, shadowing is a great way to learn about the field first hand. The best ways to find shadowing opportunities are by reaching out to your network, contacting professors or reaching out to OPCD to connect you with alumni.
Handshake
One of the best things you can do is activate your Handshake account. There are tons of resources including employer events (like job fairs), OPCD events, and spotlighted employers.
Informational Interviews
If you're overwhelmed by options or are trying to decide between a few different options, interview your network and alumni about their career choices. We have a detailed outline on how to reach out to alumni and learn from them on our Networking page.
Finding and Applying: Internship and Job Applications
Searching for opportunities
Handshake is a great place to find entry level jobs and internships. LinkedIn and Indeed are also great options. If you need guidance or are having issues with your search, contact your career advisor! Look at our job search resources to find specific sites for different fields, too.
Applying for opportunities
Check our different resources for resumes and networking when you're applying for different jobs. You can also make an appointment with you career advisor to help format resumes and check application materials.
Interviewing for opportunities
After submitting job application and receive interview offers, refer to our interview guide and make a mock interview appointment with your advisor.
Career vs. Grad School vs. Both
Career
After graduation many student seek to go straight into the workforce. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if these are the best plans for you. If they are, make an appointment with your advisor to begin job searching and apply for jobs!
- What kind of job do I want (and do I need grad school for it?)
- What experience do I have under my belt?
- Do I want to continue schooling?
These questions will help guide if you should go to graduate school or straight into the workforce. As always, reach out to your faculty advisor and career advisor for assistance!
Graduate School
Graduate school is a huge decision that should be approached thoughtfully, if the answers to these questions are yes, contact your faculty advisor and review our graduate school resource page to begin your application progress.
- Will graduate school assist me in meeting my career goals?
- What will I specialize in, and will my interest in that topic remain strong?
- Am I ready to continue school?
Both
Some careers need a graduate degree, for instance if you seek to become a mental health therapist, you're required to get a masters degree in order to meet the qualifications of state licensure. In this case we suggest referring to our graduate school resources and checking UD's 4+1 programs to determine your best fit.
Your faculty advisor is going to be the best resource when it comes to deciding how to attend graduate school for a career.