There’s no better time to prepare
for the future than right now
By Texas State SLAC
So many times we are reminded to live in the present, but we still need to prepare for the future. And if you are reading this, you have a future. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, listen well: It’s never too early or late to have a game plan.
But how do you start to prepare? In his article Advice for Students: Start Planning Now for Life After College, Dustin Max tells students not to view college as a break from real life but to start seeing it as a stage of real life. Here’s our summary of his tips:
1. Network. Start making connections by talking to potential employers, attending conferences, and joining or creating campus groups that deal with topics that excite you. Most importantly, get your name out there.
2. Do your research. Make sure that you have a profile set up with Texas State Career Services. Talk to them about your résumé to make sure it appeals to possible employers. If you see an unusual job title, look it up and see if you’re interested in it. Research companies you might want to work for, and make your résumé appeal to them.
3. Craft your online persona. Censor what information you provide about yourself online, including comments and photos you share in social networks. Don’t post anything that might make employers shy away. Employers research potential employees, so assume that what you post online will be available to employers, clients or investors.
4. Pay attention. No matter where you decide you want to work, think of your current job, summer jobs and internships as extensions of your education. Listen to what your boss tells you, and learn as much as you can from it. Listen to coworkers for good advice, and develop skills by taking on responsibilities or being innovative.
5. Become a great writer. No matter what your field of interest, writing skills will get you further than almost any other competency. Employers want to know that you can communicate effectively in writing, which reflects on all of your communication skills. Visit the Texas State Writing Center or SLAC to get help.
All of these points can help you end up where you want to go. Why just settle for a job when you could work toward your dream job now? It’s never too soon to plan, and it’s never too late to start.
Very useful tips for all students looking to start with a great career. I especially liked the part about ‘becoming a great writer’. This should be very useful now that companies are looking at their candidates to take on multiple roles, and writing is definitely a skill which few would want to pass upon.