First-Year Academic Advising and Career Services Road Map

Penn State can be challenging to navigate. The following information can guide you in your first year at Penn State Brandywine. In addition to meeting with our advisers and career counselors, our online resources page can provide information and assistance regarding the road map below. Hint: Bold text pertains to Academic Advising and plain text pertains to Career Services.

  • Please see our events page for dates, times, and locations of Advising/Career Services events.
  • Visit the Academic Calendar page for important dates regarding semester academic deadlines.

Fall Semester

August/September

  • Review Penn State majors with your academic adviser.
  • Add/Drop deadline; Late Drop period begins
  • Develop academic and personal goals for the semester.
  • Join an academic or career related club.
  • Determine your interests, values, and skills and how they relate to career choices by making an appointment with a career counselor.
  • Plan to attend workshops and/or academic town meetings to explore majors or learn more about your area of focus.

October

  • Schedule to meet with a career counselor to prepare for your job/internship search.
  • Review degree audits with your academic adviser and discuss possible courses for the spring and major requirements and enrollment control information.
  • Consider attending Career Services events to look for work and internships related to your career path.

November

  • Deadline for Late Drop is the 12th week of the semester. If you have concerns about classes, speak with your adviser.

December

  • Classes end - the last day to withdraw is the last day of classes.
  • Final exams.
  • Discuss occupations with relatives and friends over break and conduct informational interviews with professionals in your desired career path. Contact a career counselor for a list of appropriate questions to ask and how to connect with alumni.

Spring Semester

January

  • Classes begin.
  • See your academic adviser for possible schedule adjustments.
  • Add/Drop deadline; Late Drop period begins.
  • Learn about and participate in campus activities by visiting the campus events page.
  • Plan to attend workshops and/or academic town meetings to explore majors or learn more about your area of focus.

February 

  • Explore summer jobs and volunteer activities that are related to your academic interests. Create or update your resume.
  • Schedule to meet with a career counselor to prepare for your job/internship search.

March

  • Spring Break.
  • Discuss fall and summer schedules and plan your top three major interests with your academic adviser.
  • Consider attending a Career Services event to look for work and internships related to your career path.

April

  • Late Drop Deadline is the 12th week of the semester.
  • Withdrawal deadline; classes end.

April/May

  • Finals week.
  • During summer break, conduct informational interviews, shadow professionals, and research occupations of interest to you.