Carnegie Mellon University

myCareer Path

myCareer Path is a personalized, comprehensive career development resource that will help you to:

  • Identify your interests, goals, and values
  • Communicate your unique skills, abilities, and passions to others
  • Build connections with people to enhance your career opportunities

myCareer Path focuses on three concepts:  mySelf, myStory and myConnections.  The goal of this model is to equip you with the tools to build a fulfilling career.  Explore the drop-downs below to discover more about each piece of the myCareer Path model.

The first step in any career search is figuring out who you are and what you stand for. This includes exploring your interests, goals, and how you fit within a desired industry or career field.  Consider the following questions:

Who are you?  How would you describe yourself to someone?

When answering these questions you should reflect on your:

  • Experiences (travel, service, athletics)
  • Academic studies
  • Activities, clubs, and organizations
  • Interests and passions
  • Values and priorities
  • Personal characteristics

Still figuring it out? 

It may take you some time to answer the questions above.  Use these mySelf activities to help you reflect on your goals, skills, strengths, and values.

Once you determine who you are and what your unique values are, it's time to craft your story. This can include any form of communication used to present your skills, knowledge, and future goals.   How do you communicate your story to the world? 

  • Resumes/CV
  • Personal statements
  • Cover letters
  • Interview
  • Elevator pitch
  • LinkedIn/social media profiles
  • Appearance

Your story will continue to change and develop over time.  The resume you used to apply to CMU will not be the same resume you use to apply to jobs your senior year.  Check out the resources below to discover more information on various parts of your story.

Still figuring out?

The CPDC is equipped to help you tell your story to the outside world.  Your Career Consultant can assist you with:

  • Personalization of your resume/CV
  • Instruction on your verbal presentation through mock interviews and “30-second pitch” practice
  • Education about non-verbal messages communicated through appearance, body language, and etiquette
  • Coaching to develop a professional online presence through social media

The final step in myCareer Path is to grow your network to get your story out there.  This involves tapping into your personal and professional network of connections.  In order to do this, ask yourself:

Who do you know and who knows you?

You may be surprised when you begin to consider all the people who are in your life.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Neighbors
  • Faculty/Advisors
  • Career Center Staff
  • Coaches
  • Recruiters
  • Coworkers & Supervisors
  • Professional Organizations
  • Alumni

Utilizing your connections allows you to learn more about the industry and jobs/internships you may be interested in.  It is also a very successful way to learn about opportunities that may not be public knowledge.  Additionally, connections can serve as great advocates for you during the hiring process, including writing recommendations letters, referring your resume along to a hiring manager, or putting in a good word for you. 

Still figuring it out?

If any of the people on the list above would call and request 20 minutes of your time to talk, would you be willing to accept their outreach? So would they—all you have to do is ask.  Use the following resources to learn how to connect with your network:

My Career Path 3-circle graphic