Roadmap for Success

This success plan will help you focus on your studies and career goals while cultivating a healthy work-life balance during your time with Texas Education and beyond.

  • First Year

    Attend new student orientation

    This is where you will meet with an advisor, learn about academic and campus resources, register for classes, and meet your new fellow Longhorns!

    Participate in a First-year Interest Group (FIG) or Transfer Interest Group (TrIG)

    During your first semester at UT, you can join a group of students with similar interests who take one or two classes together. You and your group also will meet with peer mentors and staff facilitators (advisors) throughout the semester to discuss timely topics related to the academic transition to UT. TrIGs/FIGs help you build community as you attend classes, study, and participate in various activities and events with your mentors and fellow students. 

    Attend ‘Gone to Education’ and ‘Gone to Texas’

    • Build your Longhorn community by attending our events that kick off the Fall semester.
    • All new students are invited to attend Gone to Education where you can enjoy delicious food, play games, and meet your fellow classmates and representatives from student organizations.
    • Afterward, walk over to the Tower for the university-wide welcome of Gone to Texas.

    Meet with your academic advisors regularly

    Academic Advisors are well informed about all the opportunities a degree in education offers. They can help you

    • choose the right major, minor, or specialization;
    • provide guidance about your career path;
    • develop a degree plan;
    • discuss study abroad options;
    • transfer credits from other institutions;
    • address personal issues that impact academic progress; and
    • so much more. 

    Get to know your faculty

    Introduce yourself to your professors and ask a few questions about how to be successful in their courses. Getting to know your faculty can lead to a long-term relationship that results in academic success, research opportunities, and references for future employment or advanced education. Check out our faculty directory.

    Run your own Interactive Degree Audits

    The Interactive Degree Audit (IDA) allows you to check on your progress and project how future courses may apply to your degree. Contact your advisor to set a meeting to discuss questions you may have.

    Visit the Public Speaking Center

    Develop the skills you need to boost your confidence by preparing for an upcoming class assignment of a speech or presentation with a speech consultant at the Public Speaking Center.

    Get involved! Join a student organization!

    Join at least one student organization that is related to your academic or career interests. Consider an organization in the College of Education or choose from the hundreds that are available at UT Austin!

    Get started with Career Services!

    • Join Handshake and Introduce yourself to your Career Services Coordinator.
    • Attend career services events! Our college hosts teacher and kinesiology and health education career fairs, school district meet and greets, and job search workshops throughout the semester. Career fairs can help you get a grasp on what opportunities exist after graduation!
    • Use your Handshake account to connect with internships and jobs.

    Go to class and do your homework

    Be proactive!

    Ask your professors, advisors, and peers for help when you need it!

  • Second Year

    Meet with your Academic Advisor to review your degree audit

    • Review your degree plan and 4-year graduation plan with your academic advisor.
    • Have you taken a class at another institution? Be sure to talk to your advisor about submitting your transcript by the mid-semester deadline.

    Pursue academic excellence

    Seek out opportunities to enhance your academic career through study abroad programs, research, and internships. We encourage all Texas Education students to take advantage of the long-session and Maymester study abroad opportunities the college has to offer. Be sure to ask your advisor about any programs that may interest you.

    Build your network

    • Attend activities and meetings associated with the major and career you plan to pursue and be sure to exchange contact information with those who are currently working those professions.
    • Utilize social networks such as LinkedIn and UT HookedIn to connect with alumni and others in the profession you are interested in pursuing.
    • Identify a possible mentor(s)

    Polish your resume and cover letter

    • Most internships require you to submit a resume and cover letter. Review your resume and cover letter with Career Services. Schedule an appointment on Handshake. 
    • You also can review your resume and cover letter with a career counselor at the University Writing Center. 
    • Attend career services events offered by the College of Education.

    Look into undergraduate research opportunities

    You don’t have to wait for graduate school to start conducting research. Many faculty members on-campus work with undergraduate students in their labs or outside of class. Learn more on Eureka!

    Attend writing workshops

    The University Writing Center holds workshops on an array of topics, including avoiding plagiarism, writing abstracts, writing personal statements, and more.

    Become a mentor for new education students

    Become a PAL (Peer Academic Leader) and assist the Student Success Team with outreach to prospective UT students as well as internal transfers.

    Look into leadership roles

    • Work alongside faculty by applying for Lab Assistant (LA) positions in our research centers or Teaching Assistant (TA) positions for our PED courses.
    • Talk to your advisor to learn about becoming a FIG/TrIG Mentor or an Orientation Advisor
    • Join the executive team of your student organization
    • Become a Student Ambassador

    Go to class and do your homework

    Attend career services events and workshops

    • Our college hosts teacher and kinesiology and health education career fairs, school district meet and greets, and job search workshops throughout the semester. Career fairs can help you get a grasp on what opportunities exist after graduation!
    • Use your Handshake account to connect with internships and jobs.
  • Third Year

    Meet with your Academic Advisor and review your degree audit

    • Continue to work on degree requirements and your 4-year graduation plan with your academic advisor. This will enable you to stay on track!
    • Have you taken a class at another institution? Be sure to talk to your advisor about submitting your transcript by the mid-semester deadline.

    Look into research or special projects with faculty

    Apply for the Professional Development Sequence (for those planning to teach)

    • The Professional Development Sequence (PDS) prepares you to pursue teacher certification through fieldwork, observations, and student teaching.
    • Admission to the PDS is dependent on meeting the required GPA and successful completion of prerequisite coursework.
    • You must apply for the PDS during the long semester before entering the program.
    • Special Education and Bilingual Education majors have an additional foundation semester and should talk to your advisors for more information.

    Look for internships/externships

    It is never too early to start thinking about internships! Internships can help you experience and explore your personal and professional interests, try out a career option and network with professionals. Meet with Career Services if you need additional help or resources regarding internships/externship opportunities. Schedule an appointment on Handshake.

    Get involved with your community

    The Center for Community Engagement serves as the University’s central resource for those interested in volunteerism and service learning throughout the UT and Austin communities. You can find volunteer opportunities on their community engagement website.

    Go to class and do your homework

  • Fourth Year

    Meet with your Academic Advisor regularly

    • Continue to work on degree requirements and your 4-year graduation plan with your academic advisor.
    • Be sure your degree audit reflects any modifications discussed by you and your advisor. This will enable you to stay on track!
    • Have you taken a class at another institution? Be sure to talk to your advisor about submitting your transcript by the mid-semester deadline, otherwise, you may risk delaying your graduation!

    Polish your resume and cover letter

    Review your resume and cover letter with Career Services. Schedule an appointment on Handshake.

    Meet with College of Education Career Services and attend Career Fairs

    Our college hosts teacher and kinesiology and health education career fairs, school district meet and greets, and job search workshops throughout the semester. Career fairs can help you get a grasp on what opportunities exist after graduation! Career Services can help you with interview preparation and the job search process. Schedule an appointment with Career Services on Handshake. 

    See all Career Services Events.

    Network with alumni

    Join us on HookedIn, the University’s newest resource for connecting students and alumni!

    Go to class and do your homework

    Apply for GRADUATION!

    • You must apply to graduate during your final semester of coursework. The online graduation application is available from the twelfth-class day until the mid-semester deadline.
    • The official University deadline varies from semester to semester, please consult the current semester’s academic calendar for an exact date.