The most notable exception to the spring hiring rule is in the intelligence community, where the screening and background check process can take many months, so if those roles interest you, you would want to look into intelligence opportunities as early as possible (at least a year in advance) to learn the timelines for the specific intelligence agencies you are pursuing. For example, the Department of Justice often posts entry-level paralegal roles staggered throughout the spring, so those aren't all technically for 'immediate hire', and a great strategy is to set up a Saved Search for these opportunities on USAJobs in the fall. This is largely applicable to federal, state, and local hiring, but we encourage you to meet with Career Education to talk about your specific goals and drill down into possible differences between government agencies. Government: Most entry-level jobs in government are posted in the spring, and are looking for people to begin work immediately (so not looking to hire in January and then wait 6 months for the candidate to graduate). Keep an eye on #GIALP newsletters for announcements about these earlier recruiting opportunities! Law: For seniors not pursuing law school but seeking legal jobs, most entry-level paralegal and legal assistant positions hire in mid/late spring. There are a few prestigious legal opportunities with fall deadlines, including the Mintz Project Analyst Program and the Kobre & Kim Analyst program. Applicants should start reviewing company websites by early January. Advertising-specific marketing roles are recruited for during the months of February through May.

Marketing: Peak recruiting occurs between January and May with the exception of rotational programs.

Applicants should closely monitor company websites throughout the month of August. For other full-time hires, the recruiting cycle typically occurs in September through December/early January.

Consulting: Most full-time roles are filled through the organization's summer internship programs with offers typically made in late summer.

Recruiting for financial services (in non-banking roles) occurs between September and January. To be competitive at firms that recruit interns, applicants should apply directly on the firm’s website by the end of December of the previous year.

For other full-time hires, recruiting takes place from June through October. Offers are typically extended in late summer. Finance: The majority of financial services companies hire for full-time roles through their internship programs.On our Career Exploration page, we have broken down some of opportunities to get you started in thinking about your career journey! Seniors: Marisa Crowley, ACE for the Class of 2024.Juniors Ariane Baker, ACE for the Class of 2025.

Sophomores: Ariane Baker, ACE for the Class of 2026.First Years: Hayley Meredith McIlvaine, ACE for the Class of 2027.Schedule an appointment in Handshake to meet with your ACE as follows: Your ACE will provide the mentorship, tools, connections, and space for self-assessment and reflection to identify the paths you want to pursue. Every student is matched with an Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE), who is available for conversations about your values, strengths, and interests. Regardless of what year you are at Wellesley, we are here to help you explore potential career paths. However, as countless alums will tell you, that’s not the way it works - and that’s a good thing! As the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, the average worker will have 12-15 jobs in 5-7 different career fields in her lifetime. When beginning your career journey, it can be tempting to imagine that it will be one straight line. What do you want to be when you graduate? Rest assured that most Wellesley students are unsure about their career paths and even those that feel certain often do - and should! - change their course.

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