The Career Planning Process: Preparation

Latoyah Saunders, Assistant Director of Career Management

Table filled with colorful sticky notes, papers, and binders. People sitting around the table in the background.

Your Future Called—It’s Time to Get to Work

So, you’ve made it to grad school—welcome to the land of syllabi, seminars, and suddenly realizing that “networking” isn’t just something extroverts do for fun.

Whether you’re pursuing Biology, History, Data Science, Philosophy, or something in between, you’ve probably heard the phrase “start planning your career early” more times than you’ve heard “any questions?” at the end of a lecture. But what does “career planning” actually look like—and why does it often feel like a daunting group project with no clear rubric?

Let’s demystify one of the most important parts of your journey: The Preparation Phase. Spoiler alert: this is the part where you start doing things.

Step 1: Get Honest With Yourself (And Maybe Your Advisor)

Career preparation starts with clarity. Ask yourself:

What kind of impact do I want to make?
What environment helps me thrive—labs, libraries, NGOs, spreadsheets?
Do I want to publish, present, analyze, teach, advocate, or innovate?

This is not a Buzzfeed quiz—it’s about curating your future. It’s okay if your answer changes next semester, but starting with honest reflection will help you aim instead of guessing. And guess what? Georgetown’s Graduate Career Center (that’s us!) has tools to help you clarify your direction, like career assessments, values inventories, and one-on-one coaching. We’ll be your compass. You just have to show up.

Step 2: Update Your Materials Like It’s a Netflix Reboot

Your resume from undergrad? It’s probably the “season one” version of you. It’s time for a glow-up.

In graduate school, you’re building new skills, pursuing research, and delving deeply into your discipline—your materials need to reflect that. Whether it’s a federal resume (hello, 2 pages!), an academic CV, or a private-sector one-pager, you’ll want to tailor each version for its audience.

We also strongly recommend drafting a go-to elevator pitch. You know—that confident 30-second answer to the awkward “So… what do you do?” at every networking event. Hint: mumbling “I’m just figuring it out” while eyeing the free snacks is not the move.

Step 3: Practice Like You’re Rehearsing for Broadway

Yes, you need to prep for interviews before you’re invited to one. Interviewing well is like muscle memory: you don’t want to flex it for the first time when the stakes are high and WiFi is low.

Use tools like Big Interview (yes, it’s free to you as a Georgetown student!) to practice responses to common and industry-specific questions. Record yourself, cringe once, and then get better. It’s better to stumble over your “tell me about yourself” pitch at 11 PM in your pajamas than during a virtual interview with the World Bank.

Oh, and pro tip: “I’m a perfectionist” is not a good answer to the weakness question. We’ve heard it. The employer has heard it. Your cat has heard it.

Step 4: Network Like a Human, Not a Robot

The word “networking” makes most grad students groan—but it’s just relationship-building. And trust us, you already do this in your academic life: sharing resources, attending lectures, collaborating with others.

Start small: connect with Georgetown alumni on Hoya Gateway, reach out to someone on LinkedIn with a thoughtful message (not just “Hi”), or join a campus event. Don’t overthink it—this is about insight and connection, not instant job offers.

Final Thoughts: Progress > Perfection

The preparation phase isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about taking intentional steps forward, one action at a time. Schedule a coaching appointment, refresh your LinkedIn, and attend a workshop. Future-you will thank current-you.

And remember: even if your thesis isn’t writing itself (yet), your career doesn’t have to be on pause. We’re here to help you build momentum—with a side of humor and a whole lot of strategy.