Every Mancuso Scholar agrees to follow a robust four-year career-planning path in conjunction with their academic path. Every Mancuso Scholar commits to:
- Major in English or a specified Humanities major;
- Regular meetings with Career Services to follow a four-year career-preparation plan;
- Scheduled appointments with Halcyon Mancuso;
- Maintain an overall 3.00 cumulative and academic major GPA each academic year at FSU. Summer coursework may be used to improve GPA, if necessary (Mancuso Scholars are responsible for costs associated with summer coursework);
- Meaningful participation in at least one extra-curricular activity every semester, either on or off-campus;
- Written reflections at the end of each academic year (i.e., spring semester) that chronicle the students’ career prep progress, personal growth, academic skills gained or improved, and contributions to campus life. These reflections must be submitted by June 1;
- Continuous full-time enrollment (note: individual circumstances will be considered);
- Two meaningful internships (paid or unpaid; summers or during semesters; for course credit or not) during four years of continuous enrollment. If an internship is not for course credit, the student should receive written approval from an advisor, department chair, or from Halcyon Mancuso in order for it to be counted toward this requirement. This written approval is to ensure that the student is fulfilling this requirement with an experience that truly “moves the student ahead” in their career prep;
- A “pay-it-forward” attitude while attending FSU undergraduate program, including attending department functions (to be decided by a department’s scholarship committee) each year during which the students can share their knowledge of career prep, internships, and so forth with other students in their discipline. Students should be available as “advisors” after graduation by attending one departmental function for other students during their first five post-graduation years or by offering phone consultation to other students;
- Signing a “commitment understanding” form upon accepting a scholarship. This form is simply a specific list of what the student needs to do in order to continue receiving the scholarship each year and is designed to make such commitments completely transparent to the student.
Four-Year Career Prep Plan
Year | CAREER READINESS ACTIVITIES |
Year 1 - “Know Yourself” | Meet with a Career Counselor in Career Services & Employer Relations - Develop a beginning career-ready resume. Save file for reflection paper.
- Complete major and career exploration online assessments- Focus2 Tests. Take notes about what you learned for reflection paper.
- Create a Handshake, Indeed, O’Net, accounts.
- Develop an elevator (self-marketing) pitch. Save WORD file for sharing in your reflection paper and get feedback.
- Explore experiential education opportunities (volunteer, study abroad, internships).
Engage in co-curricular opportunities - Join co-curricular activities (activities outside the classroom) – at least ONE club / activity per semester.
- Attend social/club event for students – at least ONE time per semester.
Develop your professional career identity - Begin your career portfolio including writing samples, video/audio files, presentations, photos, graphic designs, artwork.
- Manage digital identity by creating your career-ready LinkedIn profile.
- Learn essential/transferable skills that employers value in students and new graduates. Study the MHWPC’s Career Readiness Infographic
Attend Career Events (Employer Showcases) – attend 1 - Attend Employer Showcase.
- Write a thank you email to the recruiter. Save file for sharing in your reflection paper.
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Year 2 – “Know Your Industry” | Meet with a Career Counselor in Career Services & Employer Relations - Refine your resume with key words used in your potential industry. Include list of essential and practical skills on resume. Save updated file for your reflection paper.
- Learn job search strategies. Take notes for your reflection paper.
- Start online job and internship search: Handshake, Indeed, Glassdoor, O’Net, LinkedIn. (Take notes about opptys that you find, even if you’re not applying….)
Engage in co-curricular opportunities - Continue to explore experiential education opportunities (volunteer, study abroad, internships.)
- Continue to participate in co-curricular activities – at least ONE per semester.
Develop your professional career identity - Participate in an informational interview with a professional within an industry you would like to explore. Use Career Counselor to help you identify someone. Take notes for your reflection piece.
- Explore professional associations and student organizations in various industries. Make a list and save file for your reflection paper.
Attend Career Events (fairs, Showcases, other) – attend 2 - Attend career events with recruiters to inquire about industries and opportunities that you’re interested in.
- Write a thank you email to a recruiter that you spoke with. Save file for your reflection paper.
- Deliver your elevator pitch and ask for feedback from recruiters at showcase. Take notes about feedback for reflection paper.
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Year 3 – “Build Connections” | Meet with a Career Counselor in Career Services & Employer Relations - Conduct a resume review and update resume.
- Participate in a mock interview with a career counselor. Tape or video yourself and save file to share in your reflection paper.
- Write a cover letter for a position you are interested in and get it critiqued. Take notes about critique for your reflection paper.
Engage in co-curricular opportunities - Enroll in Suitable Solutions in the fall.
- Begin looking for internships on Handshake and other platforms and speak to academic advisor.
- Apply for an internship for the fall, spring, summer. Alternatively, approach a company and suggest an internship position that you could fill.
Develop your professional career identity - Connect with two industry people (start to network).
- Update LinkedIn profile with professional photo, resume.
Attend Career Events (fairs, Showcases, other) - attend 2 - Write a thank you email to a recruiter that you spoke with at a career event. Save file for reflection paper.
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Year 4 – “Launch Career” | Meet with a Career Counselor in Career Services & Employer Relations - Conduct mock interviews with a career counselor. Tape or video yourself for reflection paper.
- Learn negotiation techniques.
- Update your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.
- Create your reference list for review. Save file for sharing in reflection paper.
Engage in co-curricular opportunities - Enroll in Suitable Solutions in the fall.
- Participate in internship
Develop your professional career identity - Apply to internships and entry-level career opportunities.
- Conduct actual interviews with potential employers.
Attend Career Events (fairs, Showcases, other) – attend at least 1 - Write a thank you email to the recruiter. Save file for sharing in reflection paper.
Career Action Plan |
