Planning Timeline: Junior Year

With one summer remaining, this is an ideal time to begin to think about what you will do after you graduate. Many students use Junior summer to focus on their senior thesis or get an internship that might lead to a full-time job. To learn how OCS can help you with your summer planning join the 2013  Class Year Listserv and any other OCS listserv, such as study abroad or health and medicine that reflects your interests.  Here is a check list to help you get started thinking about what to in your summers and in life beyond Harvard.

Research Options (September – January)

☐ Talk to proctors, house tutors, teaching fellows, faculty, and others about summer and Postgraduate plans.
☐ Attend workshops on finding internships, funding, research and summer study abroad opportunities.
☐ Test out your interests by going to panels where speakers talk about their field or region of interest.
☐ Update your resume.  See samples on the OCS website.
☐ Bring your resume to OCS Drop-in hours (M-F 1:00pm-4:00pm) to have it reviewed.
☐ Learn about the summer funding options and the application process on the OCS Website.
☐ Come to OCS Drop-in hours to learn more about how to apply for internships, research, study abroad and funding.
☐ Learn networking skills and start to build connections in areas that interest you.
☐ Consider a January Experience during the winter break to help you explore your interests.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Connect with employers and organizations (September – January)

☐ Attend the On-Campus Interview Program Fall Career Fair in September for business-related positions and the Harvard Job and Internships Fair in October and other OCS career fairs for a broad selection of opportunities.
☐ Attend Employer Presentations to learn more about organizations and possible internships.
☐ Register for the On-Campus Interview Program if you are interested in For-Profit internships. Positions are highly competitive, and some employers are specifically seeking current Juniors.  First application deadlines are in early January and interviews begin at  the start of the second semester.  In some fields, junior internships can be an important way to land a full-time position after you graduate, most notably Finance.
☐ Attend the Summer Opportunities Fair the first week of December.
☐ Check out OCS Internship listings, including Crimson Careers, UCAN, iNet, and Going Global internship databases and Vault Guides for internship search and interview advice available on the OCS website.
☐ Keep track of deadlines! Put them on your calendar so they won’t slip by. Many deadlines occur in January and February but don’t be surprised if some may occur earlier or later. 
☐ Not sure what to do next or where to start? Come to OCS Drop-in hours (M-F 1:00pm-4:00pm) to brainstorm ideas.

Get started on applications (October – February)

☐ Give yourself lots of time to research and contact programs, organizations and internship employers.
☐ Meet with an OCS adviser at Drop-ins to go over strategies, decisions and for help designing your own opportunity.
☐ Mark deadlines once you have identified a few options.  Applications for internships in government agencies are often due earlier that other opportunities.  The State Department and the CIA typically have an early November deadline.
☐ Make a timeline for getting your applications and funding requests done on time.
☐ Plan to attend “How-To” workshops for help with ideas, proposal writing, budget preparation, resume writing, interviewing skills, etc.
☐ Start to work on your internship, research, summer study abroad, and funding application materials by January as some applications will be due early in February.
☐ Ask proctors, house tutors, teaching fellows, and others to look over your materials.
☐ Schedule a Mock Interview for finance, consulting or general business during the Mock Marathon in January.  Interview practice is also available for all areas throughout the year by making an appointment with an OCS adviser.
☐ If you’re still having trouble deciding your interests, stop by Drop-ins at OCS (M-F 1:00pm-4:00pm).

Plan for a number of options (February – May)

☐ Make sure to have a plan A, B, and C since many opportunities are highly competitive. It’s alright to apply for multiple options. You can sort them out once you hear if you have been accepted.
☐ Log onto Crimson Careers regularly if you are seeking an internship. New ones are posted daily!
☐ Seek advice from tutors or OCS advisers to help you make choices between options.