by Dream Internship

As a college student, your life is filled with “to do” lists. Whether it be homework assignments, studying (and cramming) for tests, re-writing that 3rd draft of a paper to get it right where you want it, or trying to get face time with that elusive student advisor, your life is moving at a whirlwind pace. And while all these things are important, there are a few key elements to your university career that you should ensure is completed prior to matriculation.

First, is the tangible representation of all that is you, your resume. Do take advantage of writing centers, career centers, computer labs, and design software while it is readily available to you. These tools will not always be there for you to use, so make sure you are getting your moneys worth from your tuition dollars. Also note, that in this digital age, resumes are continuously getting more high-tech, so a hard-copy resume may not cut it anymore. Having an online resume, video resume or a blog that compiles your many skills as a professional will not only give you an advantage over your competition, but will display you are keeping up with the times and are familiar with modern marketing tools.

Second, building a social network will prove invaluable down the road. And by social network, I don’t just simply mean having 8,000 friends on Facebook. I mean reaching out and developing relationships with professors, advisors, peers, on-campus organizations and even community groups. Networking is ranked as the number one way people obtain jobs, so take care to purposely select a network of people. The cliché “it’s not what you know, but who you know,” rings very true in this instance. Granted, it will only get your foot in the door, but you must face your professional career with dedicated and steady steps, one foot at a time. While keeping their GPA high is a goal most all students share, sometimes it is what you do outside of the classroom that counts as much.

This brings me to my third point you should invest yourself in, which is becoming involved. This day in age, simply having a college degree is becoming more and more mainstream. Employers are like, “So you graduate college, so did everyone else that is applying for this position.” The trick is to making yourself memorable is demonstrating you are a well-rounded individual. Seek out the professional organization associated with your major on campus, and join. And once you have established yourself as a member, become active in this organization through several different ways. Become a board member, this shows you possess responsibility and leadership skills. Chair or co-chair an event, this shows initiative and dedication to the group and its cause. Or simply volunteer your time outside of regular meetings, as all of these decisions will provide you with the examples (and experience!) as to why you are desirable candidate.

My fourth point, which is one of my favorite things I ever did in college, is Study Abroad. Not only will an experience like this one give you a better understanding of different cultures, government systems and business practices, but employers absolutely love seeing this on a resume. It says so much more than, “I want to spend a summer in a foreign country when I had the time and opportunity to do so.” To a future employers this demonstrates you are comfortable stepping our of your personal comfort zone, you are interested in how other people do things (which translates into the ability to learn) and you have the will and dedication to make something like this happen. Not to mention it provides you with a good topic for conversation.

Lastly, and probably most important, is your Internship experience. This experience will lay the foundation for your future career as a professional. Most are aware of the importance that is placed on this final leg of your studies, but don’t take the time to properly seek out an opportunity that is right for them. I know what a heavy responsibility it is to procure an internship, and how much stress and anticipation that leads up to finally getting that offer, but sometimes, it is all for not. In their effort to fill that space on their resume that says, “Yes! I did it, I got an internship in college,” students will choose an internship based on it being close to home, or it is the first place that offered me a position. This method will undoubtedly fulfill your graduation requirements, but it won’t lead you to the next step. Its like completing a successful hand off of the baton in a race, but never actually carrying it to the finish line. What you do in your internship will predicate what opportunities are available to you post graduation. So take the time to research what type of company you are looking for experience from, what you want to take away from it, and how it will aid you in your next step.

So amidst the hustle and bustle of your whirlwind life, remember to look at the big picture. Having a stellar resume(s), a developed social network, study abroad and internship experience, and being involved within your community will not one hundred percent guarantee your dream job, but it sure couldn’t hurt.