Early Childhood Education Cougar Map

The Cougar Map is intended to guide you with suggestions for potential activities and career paths that can help you along your educational journey. Although everyone has different abilities, experiences and obstacles, this Cougar Map can be used with the help of your advisors to prepare for the future you want with a clear vision of your college-to-career pathway. Please refer to the SXU Academic Catalog and academic planning resources for detailed degree requirements.

If you would like to print out the Cougar Map, please view the Early Childhood Education Cougar Map (PDF).

Competence (Major/minor, summer suggestions, academic research)	First Year	Second Year	Third Year	Fourth Year
	Bring writing assignments to the Learning Center/Writing Studio for help in fine-tuning papers. Don’t get discouraged in your first year! For stress relief ideas, visit the Counseling Center. Take advantage of your summer by taking courses to graduate on time or earlier.	Visit the library for the appropriate resources in writing your research papers. Visit your community library in the juvenile section; find children’s literature that you can use in your future classroom. Take advantage of SXU’s edTPA exam preparation courses.	Gain field experience in a school setting with a veteran teacher. Be mindful of important dates, i.e. semester ends and begins, deadline to withdraw from a course, petition for graduation. Meet with faculty who are Academic Success Coaches and attend a Success Workshop.	Showcase your student-faculty collaborative project at the Research Expo or at a regional or national conference. Prepare for student teaching.
Character (Service, global perspective, study abroad, clubs/RSOs, volunteering)	Consider joining a student club. In the spring, apply for X-Factor Leadership opportunities.	Take part in a service trip or study abroad program. Volunteer in an education setting or in a role that requires you to serve as an educator.	Take on a leadership role within a student club or organization. Volunteer with SXU’s Campus Ministry or a local organization, such as scouts or the Boys & Girls Club.	Mentor the next generation of student association officers. Volunteer to read to young children at a community library.
Career Success (Career or grad school prep, internships, jobs)	Complete your SXU Handshake profile for student employment with the help of Center for SUCCESS. Talk to your advisor about preparing for teaching-related experiences.	Create a LinkedIn profile and establish meaningful connections within your academic and personal circles. Consider employment as a day camp counselor, nanny or child care provider.	Attend job, graduate school and intern fairs to help prepare you for what comes next after college. Secure an off-campus position in education that will help diversify your background with relevant experiences.	Visit Center for SUCCESS to create a job search plan, sharpen your resume and practice interviewing. Develop your “elevator speech” with Center for SUCCESS and your advisor.