Sunday Success: Career Development in College
Career development begins with your academic career. Excelling in classes, getting involved on campus, and networking with peers and professors all prepare you for future endeavors. Here are a few tips to make the most of your college experience to help you truly stand out in the workforce.
GPA
Numbers don’t lie! A high GPA demonstrates much more than intelligence. Good grades show dedication, a strong work ethic, and adaptability. This doesn’t mean you necessarily need a perfect 4.0 to be a strong candidate, but it’s important to understand the deeper value good grades have.
Enthusiasm & Passion
Exploring what excites you and discovering your passions is essential. The best way to find your passions is to put yourself out there and try new things. Cliche… we know, but it’s true! Learning what you don’t like is just as important as learning what you do like. Luckily Fairfield has plenty of diverse clubs that offer you the opportunity to try new things in a positive and safe environment. You never know what undiscovered passions will influence your future career path.
Reaching Out
Ah networking… we all know about it, know it’s important, but don’t always know how to execute it. Networking is crucial to building meaningful connections that lead to future opportunities and give you the chance to help others. Building your network and practicing these skills now is exponentially beneficial throughout your college career. LinkedIn, networking events, and building relationships with peers and professors are all great ways to develop meaningful connections.
Using Resources
Fairfield has plenty of resources to help students develop their career paths in college. The Fairfield Career Center is an excellent resource that offers guidance, resume reviews, mock interviews, and provides updates on new opportunities. Professors are also a great resource! They have plenty of experience and knowledge to share, so don’t be afraid to ask them for guidance and to hear their stories as well.
The “Student” Badge
The ultimate trick of the trade for career development in college? The “Student” badge. Being a student automatically opens doors that would otherwise be shut. Simply presenting yourself as an enthusiastic student eager to learn is inspiring for alumni to give back to their fellow stags as well as professionals in the field to pass down some wisdom. Feel free to reach out to whoever you’d like and honestly express your interest as a student, more often than not they will be more than happy to help a passionate student out.
Stags Up & Out,
FUSA Blog