What is your career focus? 

Focusing on nonprofit or government organizations is a good start, but you will need to be specific as you look for jobs, internships, or volunteer roles. For example, are you interested in environmental protection, financial management, teaching, law enforcement, marketing, field research, lobbying, or one or more of many other public sector career areas?

You can show career focus in one of two main ways:

1. Identify specific jobs, e.g., research assistant or community organizer.
2. Identifying the skills and qualities you would like to use in a career field that appeals to you, e.g., "I want an internship in an organization devoted to preserving wilderness areas where I can use my strengths in field research, teamwork, data analysis, and writing."

The second method is much more typical. See pages 2 and 3 of the Career Guide for assistance or pick up a handout sheet in 103 Barnes Hall.

For further information:

• Career counseling is the best place to start if you haven't yet narrowed your focus. Check with your college career office or in 103 Barnes Hall to arrange to meet with a career counselor.
• Career advising—available in both your college career office and with specialty advisors.
• Pages 2 and 3 of the Career Guide for help in identifying your strengths.
• The 103 Barnes Hall Career Library has a database of over 1,000 websites, books, and other resources that is searchable by using the Key Word Search.
• Nonprofit and government internship and full-time job links
• Externships with Cornell alumni
• FRESH Program
• Alumni Mentor Network