The Home Stretch – Getting Prepared For Life After College

THE HOME STRETCH Getting Prepared for Life A fter College The last year of college is undoubtedly the most fun year of your college career. You've made friends that you cherish, passed the difficult courses that kept you up at night, and created unforgettable memories throughout the first three years. As the last year approaches, it's time to prepare for the real world. Here's how to balance academic work with preparing yourself for a job after college! FALL 1. Organize The key to success (and less anxiety) is planning your year. Organizing helps in the following ways: Better Management Skills Reduced Stress Increased Productivity Organizing the following in an electronic or physical calendar can help you streamline your goals and manage responsibilities over the course of the year: SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Application Due OFFICE HOURS 8-9am Intern Networking, Event /Assignment, Due 2-4pm Interview @ noon Graduation Deadlines/ 2. Complete Your Course Requirements Make sure that you register for the classes that are left to complete your major and/or minor(s) requirements. It is best to take the remaining classes your first semester of senior year, to focus on your career path your second semester. WINTER 1. Resume A resume is an organized list of your skillset and your accomplishments. When an employer reads your resume, it should be clear what skills you offer that will make you the best candidate! GARY GRADUATE Clarity o Do not write a paragraph about your accomplishments. o List them as bullet points o Use active verb tense 1 Main Street, Spokane, Washington | Cell: 555-555-5555 | [email protected] Education: California State University, Chico B.A., Hospitality Managment Experience: Manager - Speedy Burrito, March 2012- June 2015 o Increased speed of service by 10% in Q3 2014 o Instituted new policies that helped resuce waste by 13% in Q3 2014 o Highest employee retention rate in NW region for 2014 Brevity o Whenever possible, include data points and statistics o Don't exaggerate or lie. Employers can identify these tactics in a resume Relevant Coursework Resort Management o Accounting Entrepreneurial Finance Operations Strategy: Managing Growth Organization Tip: Skills Have a college career counselor review your resume before you submit them to employers. Staff Development o Scheduling Marketing & Advertising o Certified Food Handler Trained Sommelier o Education o Experiences o Relevant Coursework o Skill Set 2. Apply to Internships 40% of interns are hired full-time upon graduation, by the same employer. The best candidates in the workplace after college are those with prior internship experiences in the specific industry they're looking to work in. Apply for internships in the winter to begin your professional career in the spring. Here are some places to look at when looking for internship opportunities: INTERNSHIPS Loreman t abere ect adeheng , ed de Ler t adoherg t, sed de College Career Office Internship Database eg: www.indeed.com College Professors Resume & Career Building Workshops Networking Events Industry Panels with Professionals SPRING 1. Internship Internships present opportunities to explore more about the type of job you'd like to have after college, and what interests you. Here are some tips to get the most out of your internship: Gain Trust o Follow instructions o Care about quality o Pay attention to detail Elicit Feedback o "What could I do differently?" o "What are your goals for me in this internship?" o "How could I improve this task?" Behave Professionally o Stay off of social media while at the office o Treat coworkers with respect o Always be willing to learn from senior staff members HELLO MY NAME I8 INTERN 2. Graduation The finale is almost here. Do the following to plan effectively, and well beforehand: USA FOREVER Order Cap & Gown Double-check completion of Graduation requirements Mail graduation invitations Graduation photos SUMMER 1. VACATION OR JOB? Success is right at your doorstep, and it's time to begin your life after college. Research whether you'd like to take a break and relax with a well-deserved vacation, or begin the job hunt! With your internship experience and organizational skills, the job hunt will be easier than you think. As senior year begins, get ready, plan, and enjoy! Sources: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-internship/7 http://www.usca.edu/careers/downloads/timeline.pdf http://www.varsitytutors.com/blog/tips+and+tricks+to+make+your+final+year+of+college+le ss+stressful http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-r-schwarz/making-the-most-of-your-s_b_6523128.html GraduationSource