Make Your College Education Work for You
Ten Ways to Maximize Time in School to Prepare for Jobs
Aug 11, 2009
With thousands of students graduating from college every year, a job candidate needs everything they can get to be a forerunner in job applications. Preparing for a career shouldn't begin at graduation. Students can learn to use their time at college wisely – whether they are a first year or senior – to give themselves a helping hand come graduation.
Foster Relationships With Professors
Most professors, especially those in smaller schools, are thrilled to develop close relationships with students. At the end of a student's college career their professors will be valuable references for graduate school or jobs and can even alert them to alternate career choices and job opportunities. Establishing a connection can be accomplished in several ways that aren't about "sucking-up" or becoming a "teacher's pet."
- Take more than one class with a professor
- Speak up in class
- Visit them during office hours to ask questions about assignments, lectures, and similar areas of interests
- Become a Teaching or Research Assistant with a professor
Get a Campus Job
Most universities offer work/study for students on financial aid. Often campus jobs will not be limited solely to financial aid students. Students should make use of this opportunity to beef up their resume, create relationship with supervisors and even train for future jobs. The research, technical, office and interpersonal skills they pick up through their job are often directly applicable to jobs they may apply for after graduation.
Visit Career Services
Early in a student's education, career services can help them pick the best courses and degrees to help them reach their career goals. They can also be instrumental in helping find summer internships. During their senior year, career services can help direct job searches or prepare for graduate study. Most offices have an alumni network, which can be used to contact alumni in various industries to find out about the industry or even find a job. Even after graduation, a student can often still use the databases and advice that career services offers.
Be Active in Extracurricular Activities
To have a well-rounded experience join campus sports teams, clubs and organizations. Being an active member of an organization can provide valuable skills in finance management, leadership, administration, communication and event organization. Clubs are often like small microcosms of the larger companies students be working with upon graduation and the experience they receive is directly related.
Learn a Language
Being bilingual can set any job candidate ahead of the pack in any industry. Aside from the more obvious benefits, the dedication it takes to learn a second (or third, fourth etc) language is a trait highly desired in any employee or graduate student.
Make Smart Class Choices
If a student has specific career interests, they should learn what skills are most desirable and tailor their courses accordingly. Many jobs are now interdisciplinary and it pays off to have knowledge and experience across several different fields. For students that are still unsure of their future plans, taking classes across a wide array of disciplines will help them become well-rounded, and might even help to narrow their career interests.
Apply to Merit Scholarships
Talk to the Dean of Studies office to ask about merit scholarships that may be available to students. There are a wide array of undergraduate and graduate grants, fellowships and scholarships that can bring immense prestige as a recipient or even applicant.
Complete a Senior Project, Capstone, or Thesis
Completing a senior project is essential for preparing for graduate schools. In addition, it tells employers that an individual has the dedication and perseverance to complete involved, long-term projects. Furthermore, senior projects can help build strong relationships with professors and provide a satisfying conclusion to a student's undergraduate career.
Do Industry-Specific Research
When interested in a specific area or industry, a student should immerse themselves in the current happenings of that industry even while in school. Read industry newspapers, mailings, magazines, blogs and scholarly publications to stay informed. At the least, it will make them more knowledgeable and aid their job search. At the most, it can be extremely helpful in finding a job.
Study What Interests You
At the end of the day, people do their best work if the study what makes them happy. Many students worry about their college major and their marketability upon graduation. What a lot of professors and career advisors don't tell them is that their undergraduate major often does not matter. Employers are more interested in job history and individual skills and graduate schools are more concerned with academic performance, writing skills and strength in the desired field.
A student who plans ahead and wisely uses his time at college to form connections, prepare for his career and utilize resources will have a much better chance at finding a job after graduation.
Sources:
Tips for Freshman Academic Success
How to Be a Successful College Student
 |
