Time to hit the books! School days are here again and a new generation of students takes a giant step forward, leaving behind the familiarity of high school to explore the rich opportunities of college. They’ll meet new people, grasp new concepts and learn about academics, business and life.
Whether you attend Everett Community College, the University of Washington or another school, there are hundreds of programs, classes and activities to inspire and challenge you. In your books and classes, you might find yourself surrounded by new information or rethinking some old ideas. Be brave. Be ambitious. Use your campus resources to figure out who you are, and who you hope to become.
Many first-year students don’t realize that their personal goals have a big impact on their college educations. Even if you don’t choose an official major, you’ll enhance your academic career if you know your needs and expectations, and prepare a schedule that allows you to achieve them.
When you flip through your college handbook or browse the school’s Web site, do you find yourself daydreaming about a specific career or program? Do the health care, marketing or chemistry courses strike your fancy? Great. Create an action plan, and sign up for courses that provide the training and qualifications you require.
Or, would you rather pursue a more general education, gaining knowledge in a range of topics, such as history, science, mathematics and business? This type of education will give you confidence and prepare you to make career decisions down the road.
Once you define your objectives and get your courses on track, study like mad. Push yourself. If you actively seek out information and advice from the people, libraries and other resources on campus, you’ll skyrocket in your career.
Speaking of your career, your school has a special resource that can propel your academic and professional training to the next level. Take out your campus map, find the on-campus career center, and head over there as soon as possible. Make contact with a career counselor. Have someone look over your resume. Learn how to research companies on the Internet. Get advice on responding to tough interview questions. Better yet, use the center’s business contacts to locate some internships in your field.
How do internships benefit you? First of all, college internships are like doorways that only open for certain people: individuals attending school and testing out new careers. Second, they provide experience, real-world connections and a unique learning opportunity. They also teach you about your likes and dislikes in the workplace.
Let’s say that you land a three-month internship with a respected engineering firm, one that employs 250 personnel. You enjoy the work, appreciate the complexity of the projects, and the college credit doesn’t hurt either. But the size of the company feels overwhelming.
In just a few months, you realized that your career choice (engineering) is probably a good fit. You made some contacts in your field, and translated your classroom knowledge into practical experience. At the same time, you found out something about your personality. When you’re ready for full-time employment, you’ll target smaller companies.
As a college student, you’re surrounded by opportunities to gather information, try out new ideas and guide your future. Make learning a life-long project. It will shape your career.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com
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