Finding a job after graduation can be challenging. However, if you managed to gain some work experience during your college years, your chances of landing a job are higher. This article offers some suggestion on how to acquire relevant experience during college.
It’s tough for college students to find jobs right after graduation – and their lack of experience in the workforce often makes it even tougher. Not acquiring experience during your college years is a mistake. It puts you behind other candidates who managed to earn some skills by volunteering or taking an internship. It’s never too early to start looking for ways to add relevant experience to your resume.
Employers usually expect to see some experience outside the classroom. If you focused solely on your studies, there’s a good chance you will be overlooked when applying for a job. By spicing up your resume with internships, freelance work or a part-time job, your chances of landing a job get higher. We’ve highlighted some ways you can acquire experience during your college years, below.
Get help
Visit your college or university's career services office. Meet with a counselor who can help you develop a plan of action for gaining experience. Career offices have a wide range of networking contacts and can offer leads on internships or part-time jobs.
Volunteer
Volunteer work can develop skills and experience that you can list on your resume. It shows initiative, which is always a good thing. Select an organization that promotes a cause you care about. A few hours a week or even a month will look good on your resume. Not to mention you will be giving back to the community, which will make you feel appreciated and accomplished. If you’re really adventurous, consider volunteering abroad.
Internships
Nowadays, internships are basically considered the new entry-level job. Find one you are really interested in and is relevant to your chosen field of work. It will allow you to develop the skills you need in order to get the job you want later on.
Freelance
If you’ve already mastered a skill, freelancing can be a good option for you. It will allow you to maintain a flexible schedule and only work on projects you are really interested in. Freelancing will provide you with some great work examples to add to your portfolio, enhance your network of contact and allow you to gain valuable experience.
Blog
If you have the necessary writing abilities, starting a blog relevant to your chosen field will offer you the opportunity to showcase your knowledge. It can help you build a network of contacts. If you’re really good, you can even establish a good reputation in the industry.
Part-time job
Finding a part-time job or a summer job in your field can be challenging. Most students find retail or food/hospitality jobs, but you shouldn’t limit yourself to these options. You could work as a receptionist or assistant at a reputable company, for example.
Student organizations
Colleges usually have many student organizations. Find one that interests you and do your best to be part of its management team. You can gain experience in organizing events and develop leadership skills.
Landing a job right after graduation can be a difficult task. You’re chances are higher if you graduate from a well-ranked school – Stanford, MIT, Princeton and Harvard alumni usually find a job easier. However, the secret is to make the best of your college years by taking advantages of all the opportunities available. Carefully chosen internships, volunteer jobs and extracurricular activities will help you stay ahead of the competition when applying for jobs.
Joan Mosby is a successful accountant from Nebraska who loves all things technology-related. He has three cats and isn’t ashamed to admit it.