7 Career Exploration and Planning
Building Your Professional Foundation
Sophomore year is the perfect time to begin intentional career planning. The steps you take now will position you for success in your junior and senior years.
Leveraging Handshake for Opportunities
Handshake is IU’s official job and internship platform:
- Complete your profile: Upload your resume, add projects, and set your career interests
- Job alerts: Set up notifications for positions matching your skills and interests
- Employer connections: Follow companies you’re interested in and track their recruiting events
- On-campus interviews: Apply for positions that include on-campus interview opportunities
Aim to check Handshake weekly for new opportunities and upcoming events.
Crafting Your LinkedIn Presence
Your LinkedIn profile serves as your professional digital identity:
- Professional photo: Use a simple headshot with neutral background
- Headline: Include your major, university, and key technical skills
- About section: Summarize your technical interests and career goals in 3-5 sentences
- Experience: Include coursework, projects, and any technical work or volunteer experience
- Skills: List both technical and soft skills, and ask professors or supervisors to endorse them
- Projects: Create entries for significant course projects, research, or personal technical work
Start connecting with Luddy alumni, professors, and industry professionals to build your network.
Maximizing Luddy Career Fairs
Luddy hosts specialized tech career fairs each semester:
- Before the fair: Research attending companies and identify your top 5-10 targets
- Preparation: Prepare a 30-second introduction highlighting your technical skills and interests
- During the fair: Ask thoughtful questions about internship programs and entry-level roles
- Follow-up: Send LinkedIn connection requests or emails to recruiters you spoke with
Even if you’re not looking for an immediate position, career fairs provide valuable networking opportunities and insights into employer expectations.
Exploring Combined Degree Programs (BS/MS)
If you’re considering graduate education, Luddy offers combined degree programs that allow you to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years:
- Eligibility: Typically requires a 3.2 GPA or higher
- Application timeline: Apply during your junior year
- Benefits: Save time and money while gaining advanced credentials
- Popular options: Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, HCI
Speak with your advisor during sophomore year if you’re interested in this pathway.