It’s no secret that the job market is tough right now. There are many factors that influence the economy, causing employment demand to expand and contract in ways that are not always predictable. Rather than leaving your career prospects to the whims of chance, it is best to take a proactive, strategic approach to build toward your future step by step during your college years. Here are some impactful practices you can begin engaging in immediately:
- Increase your visibility and your network.  Create a strong LinkedIn profile and use the site regularly.  Follow organizations, alumni, and other individuals who inspire you, comment on their posts, and aim to foster genuine connections on the platform.  LinkedIn is a powerful tool because it allows you to extend your network locally, nationally, and globally while staying on top of current trends and conversations in your industry. Job opportunities often arise organically through people you already know, and relationship-building takes time.Â
- Seek out informational interviews.  Whether through BSU alumni, LinkedIn, or your own personal community, identify people who are successfully established in your field.  Reach out in a professional manner to see if they would be open to a 15-30 minute conversation.  Be prepared with questions and use this chance to gather advice and insight on getting started in the field, including the story of how their career path unfolded and what they learned along the way.  See our guide for conducting effective informational interviews here: Expand Your Network – Career Services & Internship Program | Bridgewater State UniversityÂ
- Get involved in campus organizations.   Build your leadership skills, establish a network on campus, and start making an impact.  Demonstrate to future employers that you are a valuable and involved member of the BSU community – this will create confidence that you’ll be just as engaged when you join their team.  Plus, your involvement outside of the classroom will generate great stories to share during interviews!Â
- Build a visible body of work.  Depending on your field, portfolios, blogs, or research contributions are tangible demonstrations of your knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Don’t be shy about showing what you know! Every project has the potential to be a future talking point, so let that be motivation to do your best.  Â
- Develop skills your peers are skipping. Do some research – what are the most desired skills in your field? What is expected and what will help you stand out?  Spend time sharpening relevant abilities that will differentiate you.  Data literacy, spreadsheet proficiency, clear writing, public speaking, and being bi-lingual/multi-lingual are general skillsets that can be applied broadly across many fields.  Take your professional development seriously and showcase your value.Â
- Participate in internships and experiential learning.  Take what you are learning academically and apply it in the real world! This will provide valuable experience, while also growing your resume and your network.  Check out our internship guide here: Find an Internship – Career Services & Internship Program | Bridgewater State UniversityÂ
The point is, START EARLY. Students with the most success after graduation are the ones who spend their undergraduate years involved, engaged, and building authentic relationships along the way. You can’t control how the job market will evolve, but you can actively create the conditions in your own life that will attract opportunities and position you to achieve your goals. Need help getting started? Check out our website or make an appointment with our office: Career Services & Internship Program | Bridgewater State University
