Starting university is the perfect opportunity to make the most of your education. It’s a time of change, excitement, and new opportunities. You’ll meet new people, discover your passions, and explore a whole new world.
But do you know that university life is also a great time to set yourself up for career success? Aside from a quality education, university can also equip you with the skills and attributes you need to transition into the real world—but it may take a little thought and preparation on your part.
Here’re some tips for setting yourself up for professional success while at university.
Scrub Your Social Media Presence
Employers are increasingly using social media to check out potential employees. A recent survey found that 91% of employers use social media to screen potential hires. So, if you want to land a job, it’s essential to clean up your social media profiles.
Remember that you must make your digital footprint look more professional and mature to increase your odds of landing a good job. As such, you must remove your questionable and unprofessional social media posts, tweets, and pictures. Also, be sure to populate any accounts that are visible to the public (especially LinkedIn) with professional content.
Start a Blog or Website
A personal blog or website is more than just product reviews and “what I eat in a day” posts. You can use your blog or website to share your personal and professional achievements to show potential employers that you’re a serious candidate. Moreover, you can use it to reflect your interests and show how you work around different challenges.
It’s also a good idea to create a portfolio section on your website to present your best work. For example, if you’re skilled or interested in graphic designing, you could upload your samples to your website and attract potential employers.
The best part is that starting a blog or website is much easier and cheaper today than some years ago. For example, you can now create and run your website from your on-campus residence or off-campus rooms for rent in Kingston Ontario. All you need is a computer and internet service.
Keep in mind that your blog or website represents you and your best work, so make it look professional and interesting.
Engage in Extracurricular Activities
While your coursework is important, extracurricular activities are just as essential. Student resumes with a good number of extracurricular activities reflect good balance and signal a well-rounded personality.
Getting involved in such activities indicates that you excel in communication, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving. It also suggests that you’re confident.
Employers may give priority to candidates who have engaged in more extracurricular activities than even the high achievers with no involvement in such activities, so it’s always a good idea to explore options at your university.
Network
Networking in university can make a world of difference in your professional life because contacts are invaluable in the competitive job market. From professors and alumni to family, friends, and peers, be sure to establish good connections with everyone and grow your network.
It may also be helpful to attend industry events and talk to the participants about career guidance, job openings, industry trends, and more. Doing so will leave a good impression on your contacts and help nurture a relationship that may land you your dream job.
Get Help From a Mentor
A good mentor can change your life for the better. If there is one thing you can truly take away from university, it’s good mentorship from a professor. Not only will your professor guide you in professional decision-making and problem-solving, but they may also help you find a suitable job and could even put in a good word for you.
Do an Internship
Internships are crucial, especially for fresh graduates, because they can make your resume stand out against that of your peers. In addition, it shows employers that you have basic experience with general workplace protocols and a good work ethic.
Besides leaving a good impression on employers, an internship allows you to test the waters in your intended area of work. If you enjoy it, you know it’s the right call for you. If not, perhaps it’s time to try out something new.
