So, you’ve finally reached the finish line – or so you think! Although your college career may soon be coming to a close, a new chapter in your life is just beginning. Enter Phase Two: The Working World.
In these tough economic times, you may be feeling anxious or worried about finding work. The good news is that you can take comfort in the fact that college graduates have a huge edge in the workforce over their counterparts without a degree. Despite the recession, there ARE jobs out there for you, and the following tips can help put you on the path towards the career of your dreams!
Tip #1 : Network for success
Networking is a powerful tool that can help you find the perfect career. If think that you don’t have enough connections to help you find a job, think again! After all, everyone has a network. Sit down and make a list of all the people you know who may have job leads in your desired industry. Family, friends, friends-of-friends are all fair-game. Registering at online job sites such as LinkedIn will also make your education and work experience accessible to all prospective employers.
Tip #2 : Visit your college career center before you graduate
College career centers offer a wealth of advice to students and recent graduates. It is the job of a career counselor to help you break into your industry, so make sure to take advantage of free career advice! Universities will conduct career fairs, offer networking opportunities, and contact alumni on your behalf.
Tip #3 : Consider an internship or an apprenticeship
Many employers like to see that you have previous work experience in your desired field. While it’s great to have desire and ambition, you’ll be able to gain a really competitive edge with an internship or apprenticeship. These entry-level jobs (paid or unpaid) are frequently short-term, but give you great exposure to contacts and hands-on knowledge about your industry. Often, an internship can lead to a job opportunity! So, if you’re a recent graduate or are someone who is looking to switch careers, an internship is a great way to get your feet wet in your chosen field.
Tip #4 : Review your resume
A professional resume is a critical part of job-hunting. If you put the time and effort into making your resume look as appealing as possible, you will really stand out to a potential employer. A jumbled resume with spelling and grammatical errors will not help you win over an employer! Try to make it as brief as you can, but make sure to include details like your education information, work experience, and key strengths.
Tip # 5 : Do your homework
If you have secured an interview, do all you can to research the company. Find out its mission statement, what they do, who their competitors are, and who their clients are. Your knowledge of the company will go a long way to impress your interviewers. Lastly, don’t forget to ask questions—it shows you are interested in the position and reflects on your ability to think critically!
Complete College Debt-Free
You’ve reached the end of your college career! You’re probably excited that you’re done with your education and ready to get on with the rest of your life. So, now what’s next? Should you go backpacking in South America or take a Grand Tour of Europe? Rather than deciding on an exotic vacation locale, many recent graduates are instead focusing on how they’re going to pay off their student loans.
It’s important to keep in mind that debt is not an inevitable part of your educational experience. Believe it or not, you CAN graduate from college debt-free, and with the money you saved, you might be able to take that much-deserved vacation. Here’s how:
Take out as few loans as possible - Taking out loans isn’t a bad thing, but be careful to take only what you absolutely need. Remember, the more loans you accept, the more money you will have to pay back after you graduate!
Go to school online – Attending an online college or university drastically cuts your education costs! Think about it, if you can read your assignments online, you’ll be saving a whole lot of money on textbooks, commuting costs, and notebooks.
Opt for a work-study or part-time program – Although you will take longer to graduate, work-study definitely pays off! By going to school part-time, you will be able to get a job AND work towards your education. The money you will earn at work will help cover tuition costs, so you won’t have to take out loans.
Resist that credit-card – Lots of college students fall prey to the credit card trap. Resist the temptation to use your credit card, and opt for cash instead. Students have a tendency to think of credit cards as an endless source of money, but keep in mind that you have to pay your credit card statement before your student loans!
Choose your first job carefully – your first job out of college sets the tone for the rest of your career. While entry-level experience is valuable, earning a decent salary will help you to save money from the get-go and makes it easier for you to negotiate you future salary.
