When you are going to school, you have to begin preparing for the future you want to lead. This means getting things in order years before graduation. There are many steps you can take to ensure you are prepared for the career you want to pursue. With this list, you can begin to get things in order, so that you have the best chance of getting a position in a company that you want to be a part of.
You first must begin to research the work you want to be a part of after graduation. After you research this, you then have to begin researching the companies that provide this type of work. Before you graduate, you need to be sure that the company and work you are studying for is the right fit for you. When researching, you need to be specific in what type of work you are looking for. You shouldn’t apply for a job at a certain company for something you studied, and become upset when you do not know the specifics of what the company is expects from you. Research is always your first priority before graduating and joining that specific work force.
After you have done your research, another thing you need to do is apply for an internship position. This will allow you to get the experience you need to be apart of that work field, and not to mention it will look amazing on your resume. It shows that you have the ambition to start perusing your dream career while studying for it. This will show potential employers that you have the initiative to take the steps to move forward even when you don’t have the skills to do so yet.
Before you graduate you need to begin saving your money. This will help you get your life started. Whether it is only to purchase a few items you need for the job you hope to acquire or to help you get your own place. Saving money is a priority that should not be taken lightly. It is something everyone should be doing whether they are in college or not. When going to school and trying to work an internship, it will be hard to have a part-time as well. However, there are always ways to work out your schedule with your employers. Be careful how you spend your money, and not to overwork yourself to the point you can no longer be apart of the course.
Networking is one of the highest payoff activities you can do, whether you’re looking for a job, trying to earn a promotion, or trying to change careers. Having someone advocate for you or make an introduction can be the difference between winning an opportunity and not. However, it takes time to build relationships with people and gain their trust. That’s why you need to start networking as soon as possible. After and before you graduate you need to ask yourself, who can help you succeed after school?
In high school, you might’ve joined a few clubs and played some sports. Or maybe you weren’t given many options to choose from. Well, college is a whole new world and it’s all about exploring your interests. You get to decide which classes to take, but even better, you have the privilege of choosing which student-run organizations to join or maybe even start one yourself! What sparks your interest? Music, arts, sports, service, religion, politics, or culture? Whatever it is, there is probably a club on your campus for it, so go explore your passion. This is not only a great way to connect with people whom could help you in the future, but also a way to understand other things you may need in your workforce, before you graduate.
One final career move to check off your list is having a resume and cover letter all ready to go. You never know when someone might approach you immediately following graduation with a job opportunity, but if you don’t have a resume and cover letter to send over on the spot, you could lose out. Keep in mind that while you might get away with using a single resume for a variety of job listings, you’ll most likely need to tailor your cover letter to individual companies as you go but having a template for that cover letter is better than having no starting point at all. If you’re not sure how to create these key documents, talk to the folks at your career center that’s what they’re there for.Though it may be hard to focus on your career when you’re busy trying to process the fact that your college days are dwindling, don’t make the mistake of putting no thought into your future employability. Even though it’s a pretty good time to be looking for a job, the market is tough and competition is fierce. If you’re hoping to get hired quickly after graduating, you’ll need to invest a little time while you’re still a student.
Most colleges have a career center. If you’ve yet to set foot in yours, now’s your chance to roam around and see what resources are available to you. You might manage to access sample resumes, job listings, and counselors who can guide you if you’re clueless about your career path or worried that your major isn’t the most conducive to getting hired in the real world. Furthermore, many career centers maintain an alumni database, which can come in handy for future networking, so you’ll want to find out what that entails.
This sounds very official. Don’t get intimidated! A trusted friend, a parent, or a professor can all make excellent mentors. A mentor can help you think through what kind of job you want, weigh your options for a part-time job, help you negotiate an offer, read your cover letter, or practice interviews. If you already know what field you want to work in after graduation, it’s especially ideal to have a mentor within the industry. Having a mentor also gives you a professional reference to apply to your resume before you graduate. Which will help you get into the career field you have dreamt of.
A portfolio can set you apart from other applicants, whether in a professional or academic setting. • It allows you to be more personal and creative in order to expand on and exhibit your skills, knowledge, projects and experiences. This is something you should start building on your first year of college. The more filled your portfolio is, the better your chances of getting that dream job. Before you graduate, you should have a portfolio that will display your projects that you have finished. However, you should leave room for your future projects.
It Shows Persistence, Experience, Exposure, and Character Development. These are things that ever employer look for in job candidates. Volunteering is similar to joining an internship. Except, when volunteering you wouldn’t necessarily be working with people in the career you want to be a part of. Any volunteer work will show that you not only work well with people, but also are willing to expand your knowledge of other things.
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