Nowadays, we know that at the minimum, you pretty much have to obtain a college degree, namely, a Bachelor. Previously, (maybe like a decade ago), you were able to find a job just with a high school diploma but that is no longer the case. Unfortunately in today’s economy, it seems as if a college degree isn’t even enough to make it in our society. So how to you make use of your degree in the new millennium? Here are a few things you can do to make yourself more marketing in the workforce.
First things first, Volunteer while you are in college. It may sounds so cliche but it is very true. Think about it. When you volunteer, you do not have to succumb to the types of things that salaried employees deal with, such as working mandatory hours. You can work something out with the organization where you would work, maybe giving a few hours a week of your time around your class schedule. Volunteering allows you to not only gain valuable experience to add to your resume, but also allows you to be highlighted as a potential candidate for a future opening at the organization for which you are volunteering.
Next, Research all possible career options for your major. When doing so, take into account average salary for each position as well as finding out which careers are in great demand. Knowing this is extremely important in today’s economy in order to survive. You can start by going to the library (if anyone still does that) or by saving a trip and surfing the web for descriptions of careers. Look in the local newspaper or Internet job boards to find out the average salaries for each position. And do not forget to attend all the career fairs that you can; career fairs give you more insight into a company.
Once you have narrowed your search down to just a few options, use the yellow pages to find someone who has already established him or herself in chosen career and ask them about their job. Be prepared before that call to have all questions at hand written down. Maybe you can also request for an informational interview in person where you can find out first hand what the job is entailed.
Lastly, and one of the most important tips of the day, Communicate with those around you, or as we commonly call it, NETWORK whenever you have the opportunity. Networking is simply a process of communicating with others your interests and goals. Start with some college professors – find out how they got started in their career and why they chose to become a professor in your major. A good way to network outside of college is to go to the local copy center and create business cards with pertinent information such as your name, way to contact you and possibly your major/interests. That way, when you attend a career fair or go to church or even attend a holiday party, you can let others know that you are looking for different career options and put yourself out there as a potential candidate for a company. Have confidence, know what you want, and also know that your college degree will soon pay off.
