4 Things Every Student Should Do Now for a Great Career

[Shahriar Tasjid]

Start Early

​Career development is part of your educational experience that begins freshman year. The sooner you start this process, the easier it will be. Finding your career is like a marathon, you shouldn't run a marathon without practice and training.Get engaged in career development and planning while you are in university and not after you graduate. See a career counselor when you are a freshman. Take a career assessment, attend career-related workshops (resumes, interviews, etc.) and job fairs, practice interviewing, and participate in campus recruitment. Attend networking events to meet people in the industry [you're interested in] and to be exposed to potential careers. Do an internship, volunteer or find a part-time job relevant to your career interests.

Do Your Research

Take the time to make full use of resources available to you both on- and off-campus. Research career paths and speak to professionals in fields that interest you.

Build your network

Never underestimate the power of showing up. Make it a point to connect with employers when they're on campus.The ability to network is one of the most beneficial career development skills that you can have. You can cultivate your network by initiating informational meetings, job shadowing, attending career fairs, and connecting with alumni on LinkedIn! Your network can provide you with industry-specific career advice, as well as connect you to internships and jobs.

Stay open and engaged

Career readiness is not something that is given to you, but something you have to create for yourself and work towards. It's a process that requires time, planning and action in order to live a life you always dreamed of and develop the person you want to become.You don't have to plan the next five years of your life to start on your career. You just need an idea of one small career step you want to take, a willingness to take that step and test out an experience, and the ability to choose your next career step based on that experience.  Just like an entrepreneur prototyping a new product, you can prototype your career this way. Each step will help you learn what you like to do, what motivates you and what is important to you.

Credit: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/news/Pages/4-Things-Every-Student-Should-Do-Now-for-a-Great-Career.aspx