College Articles
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Determining Your Future Career Is Critical To Your Success
We live in a highly competitive society, where jobs are not as plentiful as they once were. As a result, college students must be particularly clever when it comes to trying to map out their futures. Gone are the days when students could attend university classes simply to gain knowledge. Today, they must select courses that will best prepare them for the world of work. This means that determining your future career is critical to your success. There are a number of key reasons for this.
Your career choice affects your education
At one time, a liberal arts degree was all the preparation you needed for a high-paying, high-status job. However, in today's world, many employers expect you to have a foundation of highly-specialized knowledge before you begin your first day at work. This means that you must carefully select a degree program that will prepare you for a specific job. Otherwise, you could find yourself floundering once you've received your degree.
You must be the architect of your own career
The days when you could build a life-long career at a single company have long since passed. Chances are you will be working for a number of different outfits before you reach retirement age. Therefore, you must chart your own career path rather than depending upon your bosses to do it for you. Without a carefully crafted career road map, you could find it difficult to maneuver your way through the business world.
High achievers know what they want
High achievers are highly focused. They know exactly what they want, as far as their career goals are concerned. As a result, they do not waste a great deal of time pursuing jobs that will not help them to reach their ultimate career goals. In essence, they are successful because they reserve their energy for what really matters to them.
There are plenty of other people to take your place
Because of the high demand for well-paying jobs, there may be literally hundreds of applicants for a given position. Consequently, you must do whatever you can to give yourself an advantage over your competition. If you have clearly defined career goals, chances are you will be more successful in college and in your professional life, once you receive your degree.
College should not be a wasted opportunity
In previous generations, students at times attended college simply to enhance their own personal growth. But the days of "finding yourself" at college are history. You cannot achieve great things during your college career unless you have a firm grasp of what you want to accomplish once your college days are over.
College as a planning period
You might think of college as being your career planning period. You have the luxury of sitting back and assessing what type of preparation you need in order to pursue a highly rewarding career. If you attend your college classes with your future firmly in mind, chances are you will accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible.
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Evaluate Your Competition As You Determine Your New Profession
As you go through your college career, you face a number of difficult decisions. You have to choose a major, possibly a minor, and maybe even an internship. You must take concrete steps to prepare you for the professional world. And it can be a daunting experience.
Of course, the most important decision you will make is which career path to follow. Choosing the right profession could hold the key to your future prosperity and happiness. Therefore, you must take the decision seriously. Undoubtedly, there are numerous factors you should consider as you make this critical decision. Key among these is evaluating your competition. But how can you do this in an effective manner?
Research, research, research
Sizing up your competition will take a great deal of research on your part. While this can be time-consuming, it is well worth the effort in the long run. Scan business magazines to find articles about the profession you are considering. What are the qualifications of the professionals profiled? Do they have post-graduate degrees? Have they accumulated many years of experience? Were they the first in their class? The answers to these questions could help you to determine how you are likely to fare in head-to-head competition with other job applicants.
Another helpful source of information is the business section of such papers as the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Even the popular USA Today can provide a wealth of facts about those currently on the job market. With this information in hand, you will be better able to prepare yourself for crucial job interviews in your chosen field.
How do you compare?
Once you have a feel for the types of people that a given profession tends to attract, you are in a position to evaluate your own prospects. Do you have the educational credentials to land a job in the field you are considering? Is your grade point average high enough? Do you have sufficient experience to make an impression on a corporate headhunter? It is important to conduct a realistic inventory of your own strengths and weaknesses as you begin your job search.
Can you overcome your weaknesses?
After you have identified your weaknesses, it is critical that you decide whether these shortcomings can be overcome. For instance, are you in a position to take additional coursework? Can you change your study habits and raise your grades? Can you take on an additional internship? It is entirely possible that, while you may not now be ready to secure a job in the profession you're interested in, you could be ready in the future. The important thing is to identify the steps you need to prepare yourself and to follow a course of action that will put you in a good job-hunting position a few months or years down the road. If you feel as if you'll never be sufficiently prepared, it is best if choose another line of work now, when you are still in a position to do so.
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Follow Your Instincts - Stay True To Your Personal Hopes And Aspirations
Throughout our lives, it can be difficult to trust our own instincts. This is particularly true during the college years, when we are just beginning to experience the responsibilities of adulthood. Away from mom and dad for the first time, we may struggle with the decision-making process, not knowing whom to consult and whom to ignore. We may wonder whether it's best to follow the crowd or to blaze a new trail. At times, such analysis can lead to outright paralysis, where we can no longer move forward because of our own insecurities.
Your first answer is best
You might have heard in the past that, when taking a test, your first answer is likely to be your best one. In fact, a best-selling book now extols the virtues of making decisions on the fly, without taking the time to mull things over. This is instinct in action.
It is important during college that you find your own voice and stay true to it. There will be plenty of students, professors, and part-time employers who will challenge your assumptions and even your values. They may try to impose their own mindset upon you, using undue pressure to influence you. At such times, it is important that you exhibit the confidence to follow your own course.
Learning to trust your instincts
It is not easy to learn to trust your own instincts, especially when you are in college. You may lack confidence in your own reasoning ability. You may also wonder whether you have enough life experience to make key decisions. And you might distrust that little voice inside you that is trying to send you onto a certain path.
Learning to trust yourself takes time and patience. It also requires understanding a fundamental truth: that you know what's best for you and that you must live with the consequences of your decisions. You have to recognize that instinct can be a powerful, positive force in your life.
Staying true to your hopes
During the college years, it is especially important to stay true to your hopes and aspirations. After all, this is a time of tremendous opportunity in your life you will pass this way only once. In college, you may experience your first taste of failure whether it's in a college course, in an internship, or in a personal relationship. You should look upon the failure as an opportunity to grow and mature, rather than as a setback which will ultimately thwart your career goals.
Maintain a sunny outlook
In order to get the most out of college, it is essential that you maintain a sunny outlook. Proper exercise, diet, and appropriate leisure activities will keep your spirits up and keep those pessimistic feelings at bay. The better you feel about your prospects, both in college and in the job sector, the greater the likelihood that you will achieve your goals. And the more satisfied you will be with your educational and professional lives.
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How To Evaluate The Job Market
While you are still in college, mulling over your professional future, it is important that you learn how to evaluate the job market. It is not enough to simply work diligently at college and hope that you will land a well-paying position. You have to know the job landscape and plan your future accordingly.
Read the business section
One of the most effective things you can do now in order to evaluate the job market is to read the daily business section of your local newspaper. You'll find a great deal of information about career trends and various aspects of the economy. You will probably see forecasts indicating what the "hot" jobs of the future will be. You'll also see which areas of business are suffering, such as computer programming or manufacturing. With this information at hand, you should be better equipped to chart the course of your career.
Scan the want ads
You can also discover valuable information by scanning newspaper want ads. Which categories are advertising the most jobs? For instance, do there appear to be a great number of nursing jobs advertised? Do you see an increase in the number of teaching jobs that are currently vacant? The want ads can be an important barometer of trends in the employment sector.
Subscribe to an industry e-newsletter
If there is a particular industry that you have an interest in, consider subscribing to an industry e-newsletter. A number of companies and affiliate organizations offer such e- newsletters free of charge. In addition to providing reports of the economic health of an industry, such newsletters can also include job postings. In general, the more information you have about a given industry, the better you will be able to evaluate its job market.
Conduct interviews with recent grads
You can learn a great deal about the job market by talking to recent college graduates. They have been through the application, interview, and screening process, so they are in the perfect position to assess the current climate. While it is true that each job applicant's situation is unique, he or she can give a general assessment of how easy it is to land an interview or secure a job.
Post your resume on an Internet site
Even if you are not quite ready to launch your full-time job search, it might be a good idea for you to post your resume on an Internet job site. Corporate headhunters routinely scan web resumes to determine the qualifications of individuals seeking employment. The inquiries you receive from potential employers could give you some inkling of how well the job market is performing.
Attend a job fair
Attending a job fair is an excellent way to assess the current job climate. Scan the hall to see how many vendors are present. If the hall is filled to capacity, it may be an indication that a great number of employers are currently searching for workers. Also, assess the quality of the jobs being offered. Are they service-oriented jobs requiring few job skills? Or are jobs requiring more highly-specialized training being offered? The answers to these questions could determine if your local job market is healthy and thriving.
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Know Yourself And Determine Your Own Career Path
As a college student, you might have spent a great deal of your time trying to determine who you were as an individual. It was the first time you were out on your own, and you were experiencing life as an adult for the first time. During your college years, you might have discovered your likes and dislikes as far as music, politics, and the arts were concerned.
Now it's time to venture out on your career path, and you might be wondering which direction you should take. Should you start with an entry-level job with minimal pay and benefits? Or should you try to land a better-paying job with more responsibility? The decisions you make as far as your career is concerned depend largely on what you know about yourself your preferences, your abilities, and your dreams.
Your preferences
Your personal preferences are important as you try to develop a career. If you don't like a job, chances are you won't perform well in it. Therefore, it is important for you to figure out your personal preferences before it's too late.
Do you like to work in a high-energy environment? Do you thrive under pressure? If so, you'll want to seek out a workplace that caters to your needs. Are you a morning person, or do you not come alive until after dark? Your personal body clock could determine what kind of job you ultimately seek.
Your abilities
Of course, a primary consideration when charting your career course is your abilities. You need to know what your particular talents and gifts happen to be. For instance, perhaps you are a good organizer, or maybe you're a gifted writer. You'll need to pursue a career path that shows off your abilities to the best extent possible.
What if you are uncertain of your abilities? The thing to do in such a case is to consult with other people. Talk to your professors about where your strengths lie. Also, discuss your aptitude with your friends and relatives. Those who know you best are in the best position to give you an assessment about where your true talents lie.
Your dreams
Don't overlook your dreams. They are a powerful incentive for you as you launch your career. Do some brainstorming and come up with a description of your perfect job. Knowing what you want is a critical first step to actually getting it. It's also helpful to get the job description down on paper it makes your dream more tangible.
Once you have identified your dream, chart out a course that will take you there. It's unlikely that your first job out of college will be your dream job although it's been known to happen. Know that the Donald Trumps of the world had to start somewhere. But such highly successful people have the vision necessary to accomplish amazing things in their careers. Above all, trust your own instincts. They will serve you well as you embark on your career.
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Top Tips For Locating A Great Internship
Certainly, obtaining a college degree is a significant accomplishment. It represents a substantial investment of time and a profound dedication to your studies. However, in a number of cases, obtaining a BA or BS degree is no guarantee that you will land a job. Instead, you must demonstrate that you have experience.
But how can you gain experience if you are just starting out in your field? One strategy is to pursue an internship. In some cases, you can receive college credit for an internship opportunity. But, more importantly, an internship provides you with valuable, real-world work experience. While you may not be paid for your efforts, you will be compensated in terms of the knowledge you'll gain. Still, you might be wondering how to land a successful internship.
Consult the head of your department
One good place to start is with the chairman of the university department related to your field. For instance, if you are a psychology major, talk to the head of the psychology department about internship possibilities. Chairpersons of university departments are interested in making sure their students find jobs after graduation; consequently, they are usually happy to direct students to internships that can ultimately lead to paying jobs. The head of the department can also let you know whether you can receive college credit for your internship.
Check with your university job placement office
Another possibility is to check with your college's job placement office. Employers routinely contact placement offices to find workers and, in some cases, these companies may be searching for interns. You might be surprised at just how many internships are available in your field.
Contact companies
Yet another option is to contact companies directly and see if they are offering internships at this time. A number of businesses welcome interns because they are a source of no-cost labor. In addition, businesses recognize that an internship can be a tremendous training opportunity for students. Corporate headhunters want the best-qualified workers available and they realize that internships help prepare students for the day-to-day working life.
Cruise the Internet
You can find a wealth of information on the Internet and that includes information about available internships. Conduct a Google search of internships in your chosen field and see what you can come up with. Websites might also offer specific information about how to apply for internships, what recruiters look for, whether the internships are paid, and whether the employer is willing to work to ensure that the student receives college credit.
Network
Since the guide to finding a good job can be networking, the key to locating an internship might be networking as well. Talk to your friends, especially those who are pursuing your same major, and see if they know of any internship opportunities. You might be amazed by what you can learn by word-of-mouth. Any mentors you have could also provide some important internship leads.
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Top Tips For Job-hunting Success
As your college career comes to a close, you might be wondering how you can land the job of your dreams or how you can secure an entry-level job that will provide you with an introduction to professional life. There are so many theories around about job hunting; it might be difficult to separate the fact from the fiction.
However, there are certain truisms about the search for employment. These are universal truths which can be applied to virtually any job-hunting situation. You might be surprised at the level of success you can attain by following these simple steps.
Know the market
Knowledge is power and it certainly holds true when you are trying to find a job. You must have some understanding of the market forces that are at play. For instance, you need to know whether you have the appropriate academic credentials for the types of jobs you are seeking. You need to find out where the jobs are in some cases, that might mean that you will have to relocate. The more you know about the job market, the more likely it will be that you will achieve success.
Don't forget to network
A number of openings are never advertised in the local newspaper. The only way to find out about them is through word-of-mouth advertising. Therefore, try to expand your circle of acquaintances. Attend meetings of professional organizations that specialize in your field of expertise. You need to make as many contacts as you possibly can. The more contacts you have, the more likely it is that you will learn of job leads.
Don't give up
Believe it or not, there are some people who simply abandon their job search when the going gets rough. They might choose to live at home with their parents or return to school because they haven't made any headway in securing employment. The most important ingredient of a successful job search is to continue the hunt even when conditions are less than ideal. The perfect job may be just around the corner. Therefore, it is important that you remain optimistic. A defeatist attitude will only serve to lessen your chances of success.
Look the part
Some people have the education and the experience to land an interview. But they don't perform well when they meet a recruiter, simply because they project a poor image. As a result, it is critical that you dress well for your interviews. You need to have a professional, well-groomed look in order to put yourself in the best possible light. If you're accustomed to college attire, this can be difficult at first but it can come in time.
Consider some rehearsal
In order to perform well in interviews, some job-seekers find it helpful to go through "mock interviews" with their friends and relatives. You can have your coach ask you a series of tough questions in an effort to prepare you for the main event. You might find that these interview sessions are quite helpful in training you to answer questions in a relaxed, confident style.
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Use The Resources At Your Disposal To Ensure Career Success
As a college student, you are accustomed to doing whatever is necessary to achieve success. Whether it means hiring a tutor, taking on an internship, or signing up for additional courses, you've shown your commitment to accomplishing your educational goals. You must demonstrate the same level of dedication in order to achieve success in your career.
As you initially embark on a career, it can be difficult to determine what kind of strategy you need to employ in order to attain a high level of job satisfaction. Books may offer conflicting theories about what it takes to succeed, and your relatives and friends may also offer a variety of different opinions. In the end, you need to use the resources at your disposal in order to ensure your career success. But how can you go about doing that?
Develop a support system
It is critically important that you develop a support system to help you maneuver around the professional landmines that might appear in your path. You need people to talk with.people to brainstorm with.people to commiserate with when things go wrong. Your support system might include your relatives, friends, your professors, and your professional mentors. It really doesn't matter how large your support system happens to be what's most important is that you have one.
Chart your own path
Believe it or not, you yourself may be largely responsible for the course of your career. It's good if you can put together a five-year action plan that charts out a possible career path. While it is true that this plan might be quite optimistic, it can give you a general idea of the direction in which you'll want to travel. Also, it's been shown that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them.
Have a computer? Use it!
A computer can be one of your most valuable tools in your job search. You can search job sites, post your resume online, e-mail job contacts, and browse through the websites of potential employers. You can also spend time on your computer refining your resume and drafting cover letters. If you don't have a computer of your own, consider asking to use a friend's computer or seeing if your local library has a computer you can use. In this digital age, a computer can be a job-hunter's best friend.
Read your daily newspaper
You'll find that reading the business section of your local newspaper can be a tremendous aid as you launch your career. The newspaper gives you information about business trends, hot new industries, and job forecasts. You can find out whether current economic conditions are ripe for your job search, or if you should take an interim job and resume your real job search when conditions improve. The newspaper's classified section will also give you some idea of the types of jobs that are currently open and the kinds of qualifications employers seek in their employees.
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What You Really Need To Know To Succeed In The Business World
In college, you might gain your first glimpse of the professional world. It might be through the eyes of a professor who has come to the university after a successful career in business. Or it might be through an internship you pursue. At times, the business world can seem exciting at other times, rather daunting.
While college is certainly an important training ground for business, it is certainly not the end of your preparation for your career. Although what you learn in college can help you tremendously, there are a few things that university life is not likely to teach you. From a realistic point of view, there are a few key things you need to know in order to succeed in the business world.
The need for a professional attitude
A professional attitude might be the most important ingredient for your business success. You need to respect workplace rules and follow a certain code of behavior. You must be diligent in your work and dedicated to your job. You have to arrive on time and reject the temptation to leave early. In short, there are no shortcuts to business success. You must be willing to play by the rules of the game.
The need for a team-oriented approach
Good business practices are all about building relationships. Therefore, you must adopt a team approach in everything that you do in the professional sphere. While you might be a natural loner, you'll need to overcome that tendency in order to succeed. Although individual merit should certainly be championed, it is teamwork that ultimately gets the job done. You need other people in order to accomplish your goals and you must be able to work with them in a professional manner.
Persistence pays
Far too often, employees are willing to give up once they encounter an obstacle. They wrongly believe that one failure will lead to a succession of failures. They fail to recognize the fact that many of us learn more from our failures than from our successes. If you analyze the success of a business executive, chances are he or she is a persistent person. Certainly, there are times when you will need to abandon one approach and embrace another. However, while your methods may vary, continue to keep focused on your goals. You might be surprised at how much you accomplish if you remain persistent in your efforts.
Recruit a mentor
Another worthwhile strategy is to recruit a mentor. A mentor can provide you with the guidance you need to succeed in your given field of endeavor. He or she has the experience to know what kinds of difficulties might lie ahead for you. Also, a mentor might be able to give you important job leads as you attempt to progress in your career. Research indicates that workers who have mentors are far more likely to progress up the corporate ladder and to substantially increase their earning power.
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Wrong Choices - Stand Back And Start Again
Unfortunately, we all make wrong choices in life. And such is the case when it comes to one's college career. In fact, college may be an individual's first experience of making major decisions. However, human nature being what it is, not all of those decisions are necessarily the right ones.
An opportunity to reflect
The important thing to keep in mind is that, if you take a wrong turn during your college years, you should take the time to stand back and re-assess. Consider the factors that were involved in making that wrong decision. Was there a piece of information you were lacking when you made the faulty choice? Was there someone you should have consulted, but didn't? Were there books you should have examined Internet sites you should have checked? Pausing to reflect can help you immensely in analyzing where you went wrong.
Avoid the temptation to give up
If you've made an incorrect choice, there may be a great temptation to give up. But conceding failure will not help you to succeed. Rather, you can easily become demoralized and bitter, causing you to lose precious time. Resist the urge to wallow in self-pity. Instead, adopt a "can-do" attitude and prepare for your next success.
Restart your engines
Once you've made a blunder, it is important for you to try again. This does not mean following the same course of action after all, it got you in trouble before. Instead, try an alternative path to your goal. You might be surprised at what you can accomplish, once you re-dedicate yourself to the task at hand.
Major errors
A common mistake made by college students is to choose the wrong major. It's highly likely that you will know before anyone else if a course of study is wrong for you. Rather than grieving the time you wasted on this ill-fated major, simply take steps to reverse the course. Explore your college catalog and see what courses are of interest to you. Talk to a career counselor to find out which major may be most beneficial to your future line of work. You might even want to consult with college professors to find out whether a given major is right for you.
Poor study habits
During your freshman year, you might have developed a bad routine. Perhaps you devoted too much time to extra-curricular activities, too much time to a part-time job, or too much time to parties. As a result, you developed deplorable study habits. You should be aware that some colleges permit you to re-take classes in order to improve your grade. Therefore, don't become mired in your past failures. Rededicate yourself to your studies and take a pledge to raise your grades. Your employment prospects after graduation will improve significantly if you manage to boost your grade point average.
It's just a detour
Keep in mind that a wrong choice is ultimately just another
detour. It may cost you time and it may cause you aggravation, but you can ultimately recover from it.
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