Freshman

Assess Yourself and Broaden Your Horizons!
Academic Preparation

• Attend Academic Orientation Program (AOP)
• Keep a file of the information received at AOP and review it.  If you have questions, ask your advisor.
• Attend the Colloquium With Your College in late August
• Get off to a great start with your studies.  Check out the Learning Resources Center web site for information on help rooms and academic support:   http://lrc.msu.edu/
• If you earn low grades on papers and/or exams, seek immediate assistance from the instructor to explore reasons and ways to improve performance.
• Plan to take the MTTC Basic Skills Test in April or July.  Registration information is available at:  www.mttc.nesinc.com

Social Development

• Plan time for developing leisure activities, recreational interests, hobbies, and other extracurricular activities.
• Participate in student government groups.
• Consider Greek organizations.
• Join student organizations related to teaching:
  http://www.educ.msu.edu/students/undergraduate/professionaldev.htm
• Take advantage of the many plays, musicals and other performances on campus.
• Visit Kresge Art Museum, the Abrams Planetarium, and the MSU Museum.

Personal Awareness

• Seek individual counseling sessions at the Counseling Center, 207 Student Services Bldg., to work on personal development concerns. http://www.couns.msu.edu/
• Discuss your changing relationships with family, friends, counselors, resident assistants, and minority aides. Do not underestimate the stresses of leaving home and making the transition to college.

Career Planning & Placement

• Explore your career. Talk to teachers and administrators. Spend time in the schools.
• Attend career fairs and programs sponsored by the College of Education.
• Volunteer for work experiences with learners.
• Explore ways to get involved with the College of Education:  http://www.educ.msu.edu/students/undergraduate/professionaldev.htm

Pursue part-time and summer employment opportunities to gain work experience and learn more about teaching. Develop positive work attitudes.

Explore Options & Establish Your Initial Career Goals!
Academic Preparation

• Apply to the College of Education in September.
• Take and pass the MTTC Basic Skills Test in October if not yet passed. (Register in early September: www.mttc.nesinc.com
• Meet with your academic advisor every semester.
• Outline a plan for coursework that will satisfy your degree requirements. Make a firm commitment to work for an excellent academic record so options for the future remain open.
• Practice the academic skills you developed as a result of attending workshops offered by the Learning Resources Center. http://www.msu.edu/~lrc/
• Talk with faculty members in the College of Education. Meet other students in the college.
• Consider special academic options such as overseas study (http://studyabroad.msu.edu/) or a coaching specialization (http://edweb6.educ.msu.edu/kin/Academics/BS/coachspecial.htm)

Social Development

• Expand your interpersonal communication skills through contacts with diverse groups of students.
• Seek committee assignments or volunteer experiences.
• Participate in intramural or varsity sports.
• Attend lectures, forums, or debates on campus to expand your horizons.

Personal Awareness

• Continue to place a high priority on academic honesty and integrity.
• Discover productive ways to manage your emotions, so you can improve the quality of your interpersonal relationships.
• Practice effective decision-making skills. Seek assistance from the Counseling Center if needed. (http://www.couns.msu.edu/)
• Identify friends, faculty, advisors or counselors who can offer personal and academic support and give important feedback about yourself.
• Begin a list of places where you would like to live and work. Analyze your choices. Are your teaching areas (major/ minors) in demand there?
• Meet people from other countries.

Career Planning & Placement

• Collect more data on career options and read specific career materials about teaching in the Career Development Center, 6 Student Services Bldg. http://careernetwork.msu.edu
• Continue paid and volunteer work with learners.

Pursue Contacts That Support Your Academic & Career Goals!
Academic Preparation

• Continue to seek advice from your advisor. Check progress toward achievement of degree requirements.
• Ask faculty about career prospects in teaching or any questions you may have. Develop associations with faculty who could become your academic mentors.
• Aim for outstanding academic performance, especially in your major courses.
• Attend conferences, seminars, and association meetings that are targeted for the teaching profession.

Social Development

• Develop leadership skills by seeking appointments or election to leadership positions in a campus organization.
• Become an active member and/or leader in college organizations.

Personal Awareness

• Continue to improve your communication skills.
• Have you achieved the goals and growth you wanted? If not, identify resources that can help you with your personal concerns.
• Discuss your decisions with a mentor, advisor or counselor.
• Offer assistance to underclassmen in the College of Education. Develop your listening skills.

Career Planning & Placement

• Increase your work experiences, skills and aptitudes for teaching by finding related work experiences.
• Begin to establish a network of employer contacts to assist you with your job campaign after graduation.
• Consider graduate programs.
  http://www.educ.msu.edu/students/graduate/gradcontacts.htm
• Attend resume writing workshops.

Take Action And Launch Your Career!
Academic Preparation

• Confirm your remaining degree requirements at the beginning of this year, so that there are no surprises when you apply for your degree.
• Assist a faculty member with an academic project and/or develop a special project for independent study that will enhance your knowledge and be attractive to prospective employers or graduate schools.
• Take and pass your subject area tests. (Special Education students should consult with a faculty leader or advisor as to when they should take the special education subject area test). www.mttc.nesinc.com
• Prepare for the Internship Year. Your Team will be asking questions about where you want to be.
• Continue associations with mentors and faculty.

Social Development

• Provide leadership in a student organization or on a project.
• Become a mentor and/or tutor.
• Seek leadership or supervisory opportunities during work experiences.

Personal Awareness

• Reflect on your preferred lifestyle and methods for achievement of your objectives.
• Keep reviewing your values and how they affect your lifestyle and career.
• Make a list of your short-term and long-term goals for the next five to ten years.

Career Planning & Placement

• Attend workshops on job campaigning, resume writing, letters of application, interviewing and job market trends. http://careernetwork.msu.edu
• Talk with alumni about their first years of teaching after college.
• Attend job fairs.