The courses you choose to take in college are intended to prepare you for success in a future career, but coursework isn’t the only thing you can do while in college to ensure success. Studies have shown that people who wind up successful in the careers of their choice all did college preparation activities that helped to improve their chances of finding the job they wanted and ensuring they were able to embark on a strong, successful career. The preparation activities are ideal if you’re currently in college, but they are also applicable and beneficial for those just starting to think about college as well as those who have already graduated.
1. Internships
Getting an internship in your chosen profession gives you a clear advantage in securing a job in that field, possibly even in the company you’ve interned at. An internship gives you the experience many employers want, enabling you to more easily find a job straight out of college, while others must find other ways to build their own experience before being hired in the position they desire.
Studies show that those working in paid internships also receive more job offers than those in unpaid internships. This is likely because employers who have paid internists feel that they have already invested in a future employee and do not wish to lose their valuable asset.
2. Network
Building a strong network of contacts can mean the difference between finding the job you want and sending out countless resumes with no results. A strong recommendation from a reputable contact can go a long way towards helping you secure a good position in the company you wish to work for. Thousands of graduates enter the job market every month‚ and many might have the same experience and GPA as you. To an employer, your resume is just another piece of paper in a large stack of papers. But if you’ve made some good contacts, someone might offer you a job without even considering any other applicants.
3. Join Groups or Volunteer
Having some extracurricular activities and strong achievements under your belt can only help, not hinder, as you enter the job market. When considering your college preparation options, you’ll want to find time to join social and functional groups that can provide you with experience, help you learn new skills, make new contacts, and other criteria that look good on a resume. Likewise, volunteering for functions such as charity work or other public and private projects showcases your motivation, spirit, your willingness to work towards a goal, and you abilities to work in a team.
4. Send Resumes Direct To Companies
You don’t always have to scour the job listing sites or help wanted sections of the newspaper to find a company that is currently hiring. You can take the initiative and send resumes directly to the company. Do your research first—learn a bit about the company, and find out who you need to send your resume to for the best chances of consideration. Many companies choose to hire from within or post employment opportunities on their own website rather than utilizing job listing sites. But a resume landing in the right hands at the right time can get you an interview.
5. Set Goals for Yourself
If you have a clear goal in mind, it will help you stay focused and motivated. Many college graduates become discourage if they can’t find a job shortly after graduation. But by reinforcing your mindset that you can and will achieve your goals, you can avoid discouragement and keep your passion, eventually helping you to land the job you want.
6. Stay Passionate
If you aren’t passionate about your chosen career, then you aren’t likely to nail an interview when you begin your job search. Choose your major wisely, and if you find yourself sticking to the coursework simply because you’ve already started it, but not really feeling so gung ho about it, then you’ve got to consider changing majors, or, trying to remember why you were interested in that major in the first place. If you can’t find the motivation and passion to excel in your chose major, then you chances for success in the long run are slim. So choose a major that you can stay excited about—your commitment and passion will show during the interview, improving your chances of landing the job.
About the Author:
Valerie Cecil writes on career advancement for Outbounding.com. In her spare time she’s quite handy and is currently working on the 40 hour hazwoper online at Etraintoday.com