what to expect
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beyond freshman year
What is college life like during sophomore, junior, and senior year?
Maybe you thought college was smooth sailing after freshman year. While it's true that the stormy waters do calm down a bit after that first tumultuous year, the following three years can still hold surprises.
Sophomore year
Sophomore year is a time for your student to start defining him or herself. Students usually choose a major or switch from a previous major. During this year, they take a few classes in their majors and decide if these are something they like. This is a great time for students to meet professionals in their fields of study and to try a summer internship.
Internships: try out a potential career
If your student has always wanted to be an athletic trainer, he could intern for the Dallas Cowboys. Maybe your student has always wanted to be a biologist; she can get an internship in a lab doing cancer research. The possibilities are endless, but where do students begin?
Most programs at K-State have a job and internship fair or help their students find an internship. Tell your students to check with their college department to get the specific information.
If your student still needs some help finding an internship, building a resume, or preparing for an interview, Career and Employment Services can come to the rescue. CES hosts resume workshops, mock interviews, and the All-University Career Fair in the fall. All these programs help students prepare for their future after K-State.
Learn more about internships from Career and Employment Services
See why your student should do an internship
Discover how to find an internship
Junior year
With two years of college under their belts, students feel comfortable with their routines and are eager to spread their wings a little. Most students have joined a few clubs, chosen a major, and done their first internship. So what’s next?
With people traveling more, international borders are blurring and students are taking advantage. Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience that will prepare students for their careers and encourage them to learn another language and culture.
Study abroad: take your purple with you
At K-State you can study at more than 150 universities worldwide. There’s the classic semester or year at an international university, but students also have the option of choosing a summer trip, working with community service organizations, taking study tours, completing internships abroad, or even taking classes at another university in the United States or Canada through National Student Exchange.
As a parent you can help your student determine how well individual programs, services, and environments fit his or her academic needs, personal goals, linguistic skills, and interests.
Why study abroad?
Students will learn a new language, visit incredible places, and make friends all over the world. They'll learn to take risks and become more aware of cultural differences—both of which make students more valuable to future employers.
Study abroad can be surprisingly affordable
Many programs cost about the same as tuition, fees, room, and board at K-State. Costs vary from around $3,000 to $15,000 per semester, depending on the country and length of the trip.
Study abroad is safe, too
Students are much more likely to fall victim to their own poor judgment than a natural catastrophe, riot, or foreign disease. K-State’s study abroad advisors and foreign travel clinic can help students ensure a safe trip abroad.
Students learn about themselves
They’ll shatter some stereotypes, gain confidence and independence, uncork a sense of adventure, and examine personal values. Currency isn't the only thing that will come back changed.
Check out K-State’s Study Abroad Office
Read the parent handbook on study abroad
Senior year
Finally the time has come! Your student has spent three years cramming, crowding, and clawing to get through, and this is the year you’ve all waited for. Senior year for some college students is a breeze; they know what classes they need to finish, when to grab an open computer in the library, and where the best coffee is so they can stay awake for those all-nighters.
However, for most college seniors, the last year is a blend of maintaining the usual routine and looking for a job after they graduate. The key to successful job scouting is to start early.
Job hunting: the final frontier
Build a resume
The first step in career hunting for your student is finetuning the resume. Career and Employment Services offers free resume advising and workshops for students to put together the best possible resume before setting foot in a career fair.
Get helpful resume tips from CES
Practice an interview
After their resumes are put together, students can get feedback on their interview skills with practice interviews. CES offers mock interview clinics, interview meetings with advisors, and videotaped practice interviews to offer constructive criticism and prepare students for the real thing.
Schedule a practice interview with a CES advisor
Attend a career fair
K-State hosts an All-University Career Fair in the fall. Students can meet with more than 250 employers for careers, internships, and co-op positions. To attract employers, students should dress professionally, have copies of their resumes handy, and ask questions of employers.
Get tips to prepare yourself for a career fair
Read about CES events and resources that get you ready for your career
Check hiring and salary stats to stay ahead of the game
Learn more about interviews, jobs, and career planning at K-State