In the ever expanding realm of higher education there is something that becomes more and more apparent in our college careers: you have to have the highest grades to succeed in your post-grad life. I am not here to tell you that your grades are unimportant or that you shouldn’t care about them– no I am simply here to explain to you that there is more to life and there is more your future employer will look at other than the fact you received an “A” in English 101.
In the competitive job market I have asked several employers that I am familiar with exactly what they look for in young, fresh-out-of-college, graduates and what ways to stand out amongst other people who also have the exact same degree as you.
Get a job: I am sure you have heard that phrase once or twice especially when we live in a world where Donald Trump is currently running for president, but it is ever so true in relation to your life. When I asked the marketing director of a local advertising firm in my hometown what makes a job such a relevant trait when hiring a new employee? The majority of kids graduating from these top schools and coming out with twenty thousand dollars in debt have either never had a job or never had a job longer than three months while they are home from school. He stated that almost certainly makes them ineligible for employment, when there is a resume that has a job being held for 2 or more years that instantly makes them stand out above others.
Be an Intern: Getting real world experience in your field is crucial in getting the edge over the competition in any scenario in life, but especially in the post-grad job search safari. A lead sales rep at a local wholesaler explained to me that having an internship in sales gives a leg up over the competition on the basis that the applicant already has experience and may need less training. I was also told that even a internship in an office setting or a related field can even come in handy, especially if the applicants hiring manager is familiar with the past interns organization. The intern experience can teach you how countless skills such as how to act in business meetings, an office, with clients, how to budget, or even how to do a good pitch for your business.
Get involved with student organizations: The best thing you can do to enrich your college experience is to meet new people, make long lasting friends, and join organizations that will broaden your horizons. You can and should join everything from Student Government, to Greek Life, foreign language societies, or even a community service clubs. These organizations can be found at any college campus across the nation and each has the opportunity to teach you countless skills. Student organizations can teach you have to work with people, how to plan events, how to work within a budget, and how to connect with upper level faculty who may be kind enough to give you a reference on your resume.
The most important thing to remember in college is to not let these opportunities pass you by. You’re going to want to accomplish a lot in you four or maybe 5 years there. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given to succeed, because at the end of the day, we’re all here so we can get a great job and a great life after college.
