Knowledge of self and the ability to make informed decisions provide a foundation for authentic career exploration and lifelong success. Coupled with resilience, this competency empowers Bucknellians to adapt to change, overcome challenges, and confidently navigate evolving career opportunities throughout their lives.

• Complete your profile and career interests in Handshake.
• Join a Career Community
• Work with a CCA coach to assess your interests, values, skills and purpose
• Complete an informational interview within a field or major you are considering

• Update your profile and career interests in Handshake.
• Gain industry experience through internships, research, volunteering, participating in case studies, competitions and professional conferences.
• Reflect and share your insights about experiences with others. Make pivots where necessary. Seek feedback on setbacks.
• Develop skills and knowledge for fields of interest utilizing campus resources, employers, alumni and parents.

Students who develop this competency are able to connect their academic experiences to workplace expectations by clearly articulating their skills, collaborating effectively with others, and demonstrating their professional value in a global workplace.

• Enroll and complete W1/W2 course
• Create a resume that clearly explains your unique skills and career goals in a way that matches what employers are looking for.
• Complete a presentation for a class by organizing information logically, creating effective visual aids, speaking confidently, responding to questions, and adapting communication to engage both faculty and student audiences.
• Collaborate on a team project by clearly communicating ideas, actively listening to others, providing constructive feedback, and ensuring all team members understand goals, roles, and expectations.

• Create and practice 30 Second Elevator Pitch / Personal Introductions
• Learn and practice appropriate communication for email, messaging platforms, and virtual meetings
• Participate and connect with professionals at career fairs and networking events
• Create a cover letter that is geared towards a particular position, highlighting skills and experiences that are relevant to the position and have CCA review.

Critical thinking is the ability to slow down, question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and make reasoned decisions rather than accepting information at face value.

• Be curious and ask questions in class instead of only memorizing information for better understanding
• Evaluate information for reliability, accuracy, and context to make informed decisions by weighing the pros and cons.
• Learn from mistakes and adjust strategies for future success

• Analyze real-world problems related to major or career interests.
• Take classes outside comfort zones.
• Reflect on feedback from professors and improve your work accordingly.
• Connect classroom learning to career situations or internships.

Technology increasingly shapes how we learn, work, communicate, and make decisions, making digital and AI literacy essential for career readiness in the modern workforce. By understanding and effectively using technologies like AI, Bucknell graduates can remain competitive, adapt to change, and apply these tools to succeed in their chosen careers.

• Build a strong foundation in technologies used at Bucknell (Google Drive, Moodle, Bmail, Gemini, etc.)
• Begin building your digital presence through curating your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles.
• Explore LinkedIn Learning and Forage courses in AI and other technologies to supplement your academic experience.
• Explore technology topics by attending workshops that inform your current academic interests and career goals.

• Take DATA/HUMN 101: Foundations of AI to examine the foundations and historical development of AI and explore the society impacts of AI.
• Participate in workshops related to industry relevant technologies (e.g., Excel, Python, R, Tableau, NotebookLM).
• Enroll in courses that develop foundational knowledge of data, AI, computation, and digital technologies while strengthening critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Complete certifications via LinkedIn Learning to strengthen your technical skills and demonstrate understanding of technologies to future employers.
• Practice using AI responsibly and effectively in coursework, research, campus involvement, and leadership activities by critically evaluating its outputs, limitations, and appropriate use.
• Complete a data and AI focused project as part of the Student Fellows Program of the Dominguez Center for Data Science.

First impressions matter. How you present yourself can shape how others perceive you throughout the networking and search process and during the first days of an internship, job, or graduate program. Developing strong professional habits prepares Bucknellians to represent themselves and their organizations with confidence, credibility, and respect.

• Learn how to manage and write emails to professors and staff, utilizing the expertise of campus resources (Library, CCA, IT and Writing Center)
• Develop skills in managing priorities and schedules, using advice and resources from the Teaching & Learning Center and the Center for Counseling and Student Development.
• Honor commitments to meetings/appointments, events and programs, and communicate when conflicts arise.
• Learn and hone basic tech skills needed in workplaces including Microsoft Word, Excel, G-Suite

• Learn and engage in goal setting each semester.
• Participate in a “360 Review” by seeking out feedback from supervisors, faculty, advisors, peers and family.
• Learn the expectations and timelines for your chosen industry through mentors, networking, treks and internships – how do they differ from your friends following another path?

Teamwork prepares Bucknell University students to transition smoothly from academic life into complex, highly collaborative professional environments. By embedding group dynamics a central element of the curriculum, Bucknell equips its undergraduates with practical, real-world capabilities.

• Actively contribute to class projects, student organizations, and civic events by prioritizing effective communication, shared accountability, and collective goals.
• Partner with diverse groups during residence hall programming, orientation, and community service to foster mutual respect and navigate shared responsibilities.
• Intentionally connect with students, faculty, and staff from varied backgrounds to leverage different perspectives and improve team dynamics

• Take on more active roles within student organizations, greek life, committees, or campus initiatives that require collaboration and shared decision-making.
• Engage and participate in internships, experiential education, undergraduate research, service-learning, or campus employment opportunities that involve team-based projects and professional collaboration.
• Mentor or support newer students through peer leadership, orientation, residence life, or student organization involvement.
• Reflect on team experiences to better understand personal strengths, areas for growth, and strategies for effective collaboration.

The world needs individuals who lead not only with knowledge and skill, but also with purpose, integrity, and a dedication to advancing the common good.

• Pursue active roles in student organizations, group projects and campus initiatives to help move ideas into action.
• Cultivate civic leadership through community engagement and service experiences.
• Build meaningful relationships with peers, faculty and staff rooted in collaboration, trust and mutual support.
• Participate in athletics, club or intramural sports to strengthen leadership, teamwork and resilience.

• Expand global leadership perspectives through study abroad experiences that foster cultural awareness, adaptability and independent decision-making.
• Develop mentorship and community leadership skills through Residence Life, Orientation Assistant and peer mentoring roles that support student belonging, growth and success.
• Strengthen organizational and civic leadership through leadership roles in student organizations, committees and student government that guide initiatives and shape campus experiences.
• Build professional leadership experience through student employment and internships by demonstrating initiative, accountability and collaborative problem-solving in workplace settings.
• Demonstrate intellectual leadership through honors theses and capstone projects that require independent research, critical thinking and sustained project management.

Bucknell graduates pursue careers across a wide range of industries around the world. Bucknell is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Employers increasingly seek professionals who can thrive in diverse workplaces, collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds, and contribute to inclusive organizational cultures

• Participate in multicultural, service, or interdisciplinary organizations to collaborate with people from different backgrounds with different perspectives
• Explore classes that challenge assumptions and expand understanding of different experiences
• Work with local Lewisburg organizations to understand equity challenges and contribute meaningfully
• Connect with faculty, staff, or peer mentors to guide growth in equity and inclusion

• Ensure fair representation and equitable opportunities in research labs, internships, and student organizations to promote inclusive practices. You can also support Dignity and Dialogue Circles to encourage meaningful conversations and foster a more inclusive and empathetic campus environment
• Pursue study abroad opportunities, work with faculty on diversity-related research, take upper-level classes in Gender Studies, Race & Ethnicity Studies, etc.
• Plan workshops, panels, or events with student groups that foster cross-cultural understanding
• Commit to long-term service with community engagement efforts, such as Bucknell Institute for Public Policy, Small Business Development Center, Center for Community Engaged Leadership, Learning & Research, etc. If you are interested in pursuing an internship in the public sector or non-profit space, consider applying for the Bucknell Public Interest Program