The steps to "adulting"

Blueprint

Every student at our college learns about career success and how to achieve it. That is our Blueprint. Blueprint is twelve courses, one each term over four years of study. Our Blueprint has won national awards, and now serves as a national model for other universities to follow to supports a students' professional development tailored to today's workforce needs.

We know you're churning through classes, homework and finals. It may seem like you have light years of time before your first professional job, but we get you ready for this big step incrementally. Each year, we hit important milestones — like landing an internship or finding a role model or setting career expectations. That's the blueprint.

Becoming a professional in your future career field does not happen overnight. Exploration, engagement and strategic vision are essential parts of the mix, and this is not as overwhelming as it may sound. You have access to resources and experiences — software, teachers, mentors, road trips, your fellow students — that'll help you get ready to thrive in your future career field. The preparation starts now, and you have a blueprint.

1st Year: Learn by doing

We offer a rock-star all-encompassing first-year experience, probably the best first-year experience of any college, anywhere. You learn the practical skills to succeed in college: goal setting, time management, engaging with peers and professors, teamwork and collaborative decision-making, all while practicing the fundamentals of business through the launch of your own microbusinesses. By the end of the first year, you know your college, your community — and you understand how to navigate your remaining years of college.

2nd Year: Leverage your strengths

This is a year to build your professional confidence and begin leveraging your personal strengths. You draft a career blueprint that aligns your talents with your future career goals. You learn the basics of personal finance and financial planning. You become more familiar with the extensive career services the college offer, and you connect with networking and mentoring support that fuels an ambitious career mindset. You've learned about creativity and diversity in the workplace, and you've given some thought to study abroad.

3rd Year: Communicate like a pro

In the third year, you build a solid core of professional communications skills. You practice your written and oral business communications skills, increase your professional confidence and finesse your professional image. A feature event is the college-wide Orange & Black Case Competition, where you'll showcase your public speaking skills critical to success in the business world. Your updated résumé is posted in LinkedIn and in Handshake, our jobs database, and you're lining up a summer internship.

4th Year: Life after graduation

In preparing for life after graduation you focus on long-term career, life and financial planning. You learn money management, risk management, budgeting for major purchases and negotiation strategies. You learn what comes after an entry-level job and how to negotiate a raise. You graduate with sound judgement and sophisticated decision-making skills for your early-career and longer-term goals. When you graduate feeling prepared for life outside of college, your job satisfaction skyrockets. You still have a blueprint.

Discover your blueprint