Five Steps To Secure Employment After Graduation
Posted: March 07, 2024 | Author: Nikita Posvolskii | Read Time: 4 minutes
Getting a higher education is a great way to secure employment. However, while it makes candidates more valuable when entering the employment market, a degree doesn’t always guarantee your dream job. After graduation, some students face difficulties while trying to find a job, or don’t yet know where they want to work.
To get the most bang for your buck during your time in college and help ensure secure employment after graduation, keep these tips in mind:
Experience
College is not only about theory, it’s also a great opportunity to get some practical skills and experience connected to your desired career path. Work or internship experience while in college turns out to be life-changing for some students. It creates the opportunity to apply the knowledge you get from your classes, which helps you to better understand concepts.
Moreover, it helps you to understand if this career field is one you want to pursue. Some students may change their majors after getting some work experience in the field they are majoring in. This is an effective way to narrow down to the right sphere of studying before it’s too late.
SUU provides many opportunities for students to get experience like this. One of them is a paid internship through SUU's Professional Internship Program. Another great option is through T-Birds Campus Jobs. There you can find plenty of job options connected to your major or sphere of interests which don’t interfere with your class schedule.
Resume
Having work or internship experience on your resume while searching for your first full-time job can be very impactful. To distinguish yourself from other candidates in your field you need to show that you have not only knowledge but also experience in a working environment.
If you don’t feel confident in the structure of your resume, or you feel like you don’t have enough experience to put in there, make an appointment with the SUU Career Center. It is a great resource that not only can help students make an effective resume but also help them prepare for the interview, receive job search advice, LinkedIn tips and more.
Networking
LinkedIn and other job-searching platforms are extremely useful, but most people with working experience say that live connections are the most effective. Knowing someone in the field or the company you are interested in working at gives you a much higher chance of getting a job there. Inside recommendation for a position goes a long way. Even if it is just a friend of a friend who knows someone, that can be the difference between your dream job and a long job search.
Fortunately, SUU is a great place for networking. SUU has over 150 clubs and organizations where students can find people with the same interests and similar career goals. People you meet at college can help you find your future job by increasing your exposure. Don’t forget about professors, a very useful resource for career advice and connections. Also SUU recently launched SUUConnect, an all-in-one platform for students to seek out job and internship opportunities, develop useful career skills, gain insight into careers, connect with other students and alumni, and more.
Career Fairs are a great place for networking and exposure. Even if you are not currently searching for a job, the connections and knowledge you gain while talking to representatives of different companies can help you to get a job after graduation.
Online Profiles
The internet makes networking easy and accessible. That is why it is so important to have a good presence on platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake. If you aren't confident about your profile on these platforms you can make an appointment with the Career Center, where they will help you to build a strong profile. Don’t forget about “Handshake”, another job-search platform built specifically for SUU students and tailored to the majors we offer here at SUU. Every SUU student has access to it through the SUU portal.
Study
Of course, one of the main goals of attending college is learning. Gaining knowledge is necessary for your future career. For this reason, it’s crucial to pay attention in classes and get good grades, which serve as a confirmation for an employer that you actually know what you studied. In some job searches a candidate’s GPA is valued.
To improve your academic performance and make your time in college more productive, use the free resources that SUU provides its students. Including, the Writing Center, where you get help with all aspects of the writing process, and the Tutoring Center which offers help with any courses you struggle with. SUU also has a Speech and Presentation Center where you can get assistance with improving your abilities to write and present speeches.
Thinking about life after graduation can be stressful. However, following these tips and making little steps to secure your future employment starting today will be worth it in the end.
Tags: Student Community and Professional Development Career Center
