Complete & Continue

Our Process

Learning is a lifelong activity. It never ends. When you finish one learning experience, another emerges. That’s why we named this section of the website “complete and continue.” When you complete one class at NC State, you start another. When you complete one certificate, you continue to earn credits for another and for a two-year associate’s degree as well. Some students continue toward a four-year bachelor’s degree at NC State while others transfer to another college or university with credits they have earned here.

Also, as you use your NC State experiences, certificates, and degrees to earn a job promotion and a raise, you complete that stage of your career and continue to the next, perhaps applying for a higher-paying job at the same organization where you work or at a new company. As your learning continues throughout life, you continue to grow personally and professionally. As a lifelong learner who has mastered the process of creative and critical thinking and the growth mindset, you have the resources to pursue your passion.

While you are still enrolled at NC State, utilize the stages and steps outlined above as your guide to manage your educational experiences (see “Keep Gaining Momentum” section for a refresher). Below are a few more steps to keep in mind as you make progress toward graduation.

  • A Faculty Advisor is different from an Academic Liaison (see “Connect with Your Academic Liaison” section). Once your Academic Liaison has helped you plan your classes through graduation, you will transition to a Faculty Advisor in the department of your major. Faculty Advisors answer questions about finishing coursework, applying/filing for graduation, and preparing for a possible transfer to a four-year college. Faculty Advisors and Academic Liaisons work closely to help you stay focused on completion and transition. They will help you maintain momentum beyond NC State.

    Most Faculty Advisors know professionals in the community and may be able to help you make connections to people in your field of study to increase your professional network and opportunities for internships and other experiential-learning experiences. In this way, your Faculty Advisor can help you make connections for potential job opportunities.

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  • Your Faculty Advisor in the department of your major will help you with steps to finish your degree at NC State. Here’s a short list of what you’ll review and plan together:

    • Apply/Petition for Graduation
    • Apply to transfer to four-year college or university (e.g., finish 2+2 program or 3+1 program)
    • Finish all coursework and classes, including lab classes if applicable
    • Finish internships and any remaining paperwork with Career Development Services
    • Apply for jobs and schedule and attend interviews

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  • Your Faculty Advisor in the department of your major will help you apply for graduation. Here’s an example of what you’ll review and plan together:

    • Program Evaluation (Degree Audit)
    • How to Petition to Graduate
    • Paying for Fees (and any outstanding balance)
    • Participation in the Commencement Ceremony

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  • If you plan to continue your education now or in the future, your division’s Academic Liaison and Faculty Advisor will help you plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree and maybe a master’s degree and more. Here’s an example of what you’ll review and plan together:

    • Career plans
    • Possible transfer destinations, what they are like, what they cost, and what they require
    • Courses that you need to complete in your major
    • Next steps for contacting and visiting the transfer college/universities

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  • Our Office of Career Development Services is available to all NC students and alumni. It’s free. Take advantage of the resource (see “Visit Career Development Services” section). It’s another way to experience a return-on-your-investment with an NC State education. Stay in touch with Career Services even after you graduate. Keep building momentum toward your dreams and dream job.

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  • CCN is a free online career tool and national job board for internships, career opportunities, and career services. Get access to employers throughout the United States. Create an account. Upload your resume. Sign-up for announcements and other push-notifications.

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  • We know this is on your mind, so we created this section as another reminder to use the certificates and degrees that you earn at NC State to pursue your dreams and dream-job. Highlight them in your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile. We also encourage you to use your growth mindset and can-do attitude and expand your professional networks by meeting people and building relationships:

    • Join professional associations
    • Attend conferences and workshops
    • Take continuing-education courses
    • Create and update your LinkedIn profile
    • Make use of other useful social media networking tools

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  • We know this is on your mind, too, so we created this section as another reminder to update your resume and cover letters, to use the certificates and degrees you earn at NC State to pursue your dreams and dream-job, and to stay in touch with our Office of Career Development Services. They can help you even after you graduate.

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  • No matter what your next step might be when you graduate, we invite and encourage you to stay connected with us through our Alumni Association and Alumni Relations representatives. We appreciate any opportunities you might have to help future generations of NC State students with contributions of your time, insight and advice, and financial support. You might not have the time and resources right now to help out, but as you continue to gain and build momentum in your career and life experiences after you graduate, please remember how the people at NC State helped you in your journey. Please consider helping us help the next generation whenever you can.

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  • We believe in you. We mentioned this earlier, and now it’s time to mention it again. You are making progress toward your goals. You might not see it or believe it yet, but we do. Big accomplishments like earning a certificate, finishing a degree, transferring to a four-year college, getting a promotion and a raise, and starting a new job often occur through small, incremental successes over time.

    Keep connecting with people in your family and community who provide you with encouragement and support. And stay in touch with us. Give us a call. Email us. Send us a card or post card from time to time. Let us know how you’ve been and where you are in your journey of lifelong learning and the pursuit of your dreams and dream-job.

    We are confident that the creative- and critical-thinking skills you have developed and the practical experiences you have acquired at NC State continue to be integrated into your personality and way of being. We think that’s pretty cool. It feels good to know we’ve been able to help. We hope you will be inspired to help the next generation do the same. Lifelong learning is essential for a quality of life. Keep the momentum going—for yourself, your family, your friends, and other curious minds in your community.