Recommended Four-Year Roadmap

Employers are looking for much more than just a high GPA from students—they also like to see engineering experience, leadership examples and work outside of the classroom. Below are some recommended actions to help you become a stronger student and candidate for employment.

Once You're Accepted to CU

Year One

Get started!ÌýUpperclassmen often comment, "I wish I had started this earlier."

Year Two

  • Update your resume and cover letter.
    • Highlight technical skillsets (lab skills, software knowledge, programming, etc.).
  • Join theÌýChBE Alumni Student Mentor ProgramÌý(note, this is different from the freshmen/seniorÌýPeer Mentor ProgramÌýmentioned above).
  • Update your LinkedIn profile with recent accomplishments, training or experiences.
  • °ä´Ç²Ô»å³Ü³¦³ÙÌýstudent research.
  • Chair an event in a student society or other organization.
    • Start to build your leadership skills and boost your resume.
  • ³Õ´Ç±ô³Ü²Ô³Ù±ð±ð°ùÌý(, tutor at CU, in a research lab, etc.).
  • Get to know your professors by attending office hours. Ask if you can help out with instruction or in their labs.
    • You will need them as references and for letters of recommendation in the future!
  • Continue to get to know recruiters and grow your network: attend career fairs, company info sessions and mock interviews.
  • Intern your post-sophomore summer, if possible (not necessarily engineering, but anything science or industry related that you can find).
  • Consider applying for an (or similar program) to gain experience and network connections at another university over the summer.
  • Discuss whether you are interested in graduate school or industry with your advisor.

Year Three

  • Update your resume and cover letter.
  • Take on a position of leadershipÌýin a student society or other organization and plan/execute events.
    • You will be able to show employers what you have accomplished as a leader, even if it is small in scale!
  • Continue to volunteer with student groups, as a tutor or for faculty.
  • Update your LinkedIn profile with new experiences and accomplishments.
  • If you have not already done so, join theÌýChBE Alumni-Student Mentor Program.
  • Join the local AIChE / ISPE / SWE / etc. regional professional group and attend meetings.
  • Become a Course Assistant for a class.
  • Continue to get to know recruiters and grow your network: attend career fairs, company info sessions and mock interviews.
  • Review job postings on Handshake.
  • Continue getting to know your professors, as you will need letters of recommendation and references.
  • Continue to conduct undergraduate research (especially if you are interested in graduate school).
  • Intern or co-op your post-junior year (ideally in an engineering field).
  • If you are interested in graduate/medical/law school, start studying for the appropriate exam. See program websites for application requirements.
  • Review your degree audit with your academic advisor to ensure you're on track to graduate.
  • Apply for and attend an if you have not done so already.
  • Discuss whether you want to attend graduate school or join industry with your advisor.

Year Four

  • Update your resume and cover letter.
    • High school information should be removed. Instead, showcase what you have done since becoming a student at CU Boulder.
  • Become a mentor in theÌýChBE Peer Mentor Program.
  • Become a Course Assistant for a class.
  • Take theÌý
  • Update your LinkedIn profile.
  • Continue to get to know recruiters and grow your network: attend career fairs, company info sessions and mock interviews.
  • If you are interested in graduate/medical/law school, take the appropriate exam and apply.
  • If you are looking for a job, use the personal network you have created over the years.

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