Although nearly 73% of graduating seniors claim that they actively seek employment throughout senior year, according to AfterCollege, 83% of the class of 2014 reported that they did not yet have a job lined up by April.
Going to a good school and achieving academic success are distinct advantages, but by no means are they the ticket to securing a great, or even good, job upon graduation.
The Career Services department of your college is not responsible for securing relevant internships for you or, for that matter, landing you a job. They are however, responsible for providing you with the tools necessary to build your resume and the guidance to take ownership of your career prospects in this new employment market. While early and ongoing meetings with Career Services and relevant internships should be mandatory in order to graduate, the onus is ultimately on you, the student, to take charge of your career path. You do not have the luxury of waiting until senior year to realize that your summers spent working at camp, in the mall or at the local eatery did not gain you the requisite experience to land a professional position.
The 4 ways that you can prepare for life after college-
- Start thinking about what you want to be when you ‘grow up’
Shadow people to find out what career options are out there and to learn about your professional interests. Don’t worry — you can always change your mind later. - Source your network
Reach out to family, friends, family friends, friends’ family, alum, members of your church or synagogue, local Chamber of Commerce and related trade associations for internship opportunities. - Find a mentor
He or she can provide the right direction and can help you think about career options and how to progress. A mentor can assist you in believing in yourself, boost your confidence, and encourage you to explore new opportunities. - Become a campus leader
Join or start a club on campus, plan events and invite speakers. Get involved!
All four of these actions involve building and growing a network that will naturally take you from freshman year to the first day on the job. It is a journey, but one that can be exhilarating. Make sure to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, ask smart questions and show gratitude along every step of the way.
Most important, when you are in that dream job, remember your humble beginnings and ‘pay it forward’ to that next timid freshman.
Heidi Fuchs is a Career Coach and Talent Acquisition Leader. She received her BS in Business with a concentration in Marketing and Communications from Touro College. You can follow her on Twitter @AgentMom18
