You’ve handed in your final assignments, received your diploma, and maybe even walked the stage. You’re in that wonderful six-month grace period before you begin paying back student loans, and you’re ready to put the monotony of academia behind you. You are ready to fully enter — or re-enter — the workforce. Even if you worked during school, you are eager to find work in your field of study, or otherwise improve your employment prospects within an organization.
But there is a catch: there are thousands of graduates just like you, who are vying for better work. Whether you have experience in your desired field or not, the competition is fierce. So how do you put yourself in the best position to find a job after college? Believe it or not, the best way is to begin preparing for employment while you are still in school. Here are four ways to improve your prospects while working towards your degree.
1. Internships, internships, internships
The most powerful thing you can do during college is to get internships, especially in your desired field of employment. Internships are the perfect way to gain experience in a field you may not know much about, even if most of them are unpaid (although some offer college credit). Think about them as job-training opportunities — which they are. What better way to learn about the systems and expectations of the job you want then to give it a test-run? Bonus: You may even have the chance to turn your internship position into a full employment gig.
2. Volunteer
Volunteering is the next best source of experience after internships. You still get to try your hand at a job — and still won’t get paid — but there is often less supervision involved. Volunteers are usually expected to handle their work without much oversight, and may be tasked with the same level of responsibility as an employee. Any extra work you are involved in at your university, such as acting as editor for the school magazine, is essentially volunteer work. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience, work credentials, and help out an organization you are passionate about.
3. Upgrade your résumé
It doesn’t matter whether you’re working your way through college, or only have your high school jobs to credit for work experience, chances are your résumé could use an upgrade before you start looking for post-college jobs. Most colleges have resources to help you along in your job search; take advantage of them. Learn the best way to structure your resume, what to include, how to tweak it to specific industries, and craft a professional cover letter. If you’re not in a position to use your school’s resources, then take a glance around the web for aids and advice. (Pro tip: either avoid résumé/cover letter templates as much as possible, or customize them enough that they don’t look so prefabricated).
4. Research the field
Industries are constantly evolving. Newcomers to the field and seasoned workers alike need to keep up-to-date on industry trends, topics, and concerns. Learn about what is going on in your chosen field. Research employment statistics and emerging technologies. If you can, find information about the day-to-day operation of the business. You may discover new things to love about the work. Learn about the expectations of your desired position, too. Every job has its perks and drawbacks, so make sure you are fully aware of what you are getting yourself into.
Above all, don’t wait until you have your degree in hand before you begin your job hunt.
