The following is a guest post by Jessica Solon.
Looking back, starting when I stepped on campus as a college freshman, there is no doubt I learned a lot. In May 2012, I graduated from James Madison University, and while I’ve spent the past four months missing my days on campus, I have also been able to spend that time reflecting on all I learned during my undergraduate days — stuff every college student should know.
To set the record straight, general education courses do in fact lay the foundation for a well-rounded person, and major-specific courses give students the basis for what they need to know in a professional setting. All of these things are essential in finding success post-college; however, there are definitely a few things every college student needs to know that will most likely never be taught in a lecture hall.
These lessons revolve around the next phase in life after you’ve moved your tassel from right to left and received your diploma. A lot of colleges do have extremely helpful career planning departments, but in my experience, students rarely take advantage of them. Here are a few things every college student should know that I wish I had known:
1. It is never too soon to start interning. The sooner you start getting “real world” experience, the sooner you can figure out if it’s the right industry/field for you. It also goes without saying that the more experience you have on your resume, the more qualified you will be for entry-level positions when that time comes. Are you just a college freshman? Seriously, this means you, too!
2. Use the Internet. We use it every day for social reasons, so why not let it kickstart your career? LinkedIn, Monster, Indeed, MediaBistro and plenty more sites are all there for you for this reason. These resources post new jobs daily, and some even allow you to apply for the job right on the site. So, in the five minutes you spent trying to come up with a witty 140 character message, you also could have applied for a job or internship. Use the resources out there, and don’t let a dream opportunity pass by. BONUS TIP: If you’re a college freshman who hasn’t yet picked out your school email address, choose wisely! It will reflect upon you for at least four years.
3. Network, network, network. Talk to college professors, your parents friends, your friends parents, your old boss. Talk to anyone who could potentially have a connection to the field you are looking to go into. And even if your direct contact doesn’t know someone, they might have a colleague or friend who does. It never hurts to ask, and you never know what opportunities are going to be presented to you. With that being said, if you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never find what you’re looking for. Attention college freshman: Yes, you need to join LinkedIn and start building your network. Start it off by adding contacts from high school and the people you’ve met in the first few days or weeks on campus.
Whether you’ve just started as a college freshman or are in your final semester, these are things every college student should know before graduation. After all, better late than never, right?
What do you wish you’d known in college? Share with us in the comments below!
Author:
Jessica Solon is a 22-year-old graduate of James Madison University where she spent four years studying communication studies, public relations, and writing and rhetoric. She is currently working in New York City at a public relations firm. In her spare time, Jessica is penning a blog on beauty trends and New York City life. She loves to read and has a profound interest in the behaviors and progress of peers in her generation.
