Ways to Jumpstart Your Career While Still in College

It is common to feel like college is simply a stepping stone in your career. It feels like the necessary prerequisite before you have any chance to dig into a career and find the success that you want.

However, there is so much that you are able to do to help propel your career forward and a lot of it can be done while you are still in school. From finding the right internship to using all of the resources that your college career center can offer, you are certain to find the right path forward for your needs.

Each career path is going to be a bit different, but there are some similar steps that everyone is able to do together. Some of the simple steps you can take to jumpstart your own career during college include:

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1. Get an Internship

Do not leave college without getting at least one internship. These are the perfect opportunities to utilize some of the skills that you learn in the classroom and can help you learn something new in the industry. This is the best way to get accurate and hands-on experience to help with your career.

There are many great internships that you will be able to find, no matter where you live. You will usually find this information online too. If there is a specific place that you want to intern, you should contact them and ask for details. You will need to do some research and put yourself out there a bit to find some of the best internship options.

The best part Is that you can add this to your resume. Show others that you took the initiative to make changes and learn something new by adding that experience on. And when the internship goes well, you will be able to make connections and add to your network, which can help you get a good job later.

2. Look for Jobs Early

The earlier you are able to start job searching, the more likely it is that you will land a dream job right out of school. You can even look for side jobs or part-time jobs that are in your field and start working them before you even leave school. This will give you invaluable experience that can help you get ahead.

Let’s say that you would like to become a photographer. You may be able to find a local photographer who needs an assistant on the weekends to help with weddings. This can help you learn about your field and is great work experience to add to the resume.

As long as the job opportunity will not sacrifice your grades, you will need to jump on it during college. Most companies recognize that you go to school and will be able to work around your schedule so you can work and get your classes done. Do not wait until your last month or so of school to look for jobs or you will be rushing around and stressed.

3. Visit the Career Center

The next thing to consider doing is visiting the career center for your college before you graduate. Do this a few times to get the most benefit. Most colleges will have this resource and it is free since you pay for it with your student fees. There is a ton of information provided there that can help with your career search.

There is so much help that you can get in this location. It will help you with your resume, help you apply for jobs or internships, and can help with networking. If you are unsure about your plans after graduation, you can work with a staff member to look at the different fields to see what is right for you.

You will be amazed at all of the resources that are available at the career center. And since your college tuition is already paying for these services, it makes a lot of sense to use them. Try to stop by at least once a semester to learn about all the opportunities they provide. The staff there will be able to answer your questions and ensure that you are ready to go after college.

4. Build Your Network

You need to start building your network up as quickly as possible after you start school. You never know who you are going to meet, and the more people you can meet, the easier it is to use those connections later on and get the job that you want. Waiting until you leave school will be too late and will make you fall behind.

Start to build up some of the strong networks that you will need while you are still going to college. Then, when it is time to graduate, you will have all of those contacts when it is time to graduate. The good news is there are many ways that you can do this. Some of them include:

Talk with the faculty at the college
Meet with some of the alumni
Build an online network of others in the community
Go to any of the networking events that the college hosts

When you are able to build up a strong network from people in different fields and industries, you will find that you will be able to learn more about what you want to do in your future and you may be able to call in some contacts to help you get a job when you are done. Networking is one of the most successful ways to further your career.

Preparing for Your Career

College is a great first step to helping you reach your goals and find out the career that is right for you. But you need to be proactive in order to get into the right career and find the job that you want. Check out some of the tips above and you will be able to put in the legwork and see your career take off, even when you are still in college.