With the fall semester well underway, both new and returning students are preparing to own their future.
Every individual will have a unique career path, and no one can predict the road you will take to the future of your dreams.
Designing the ideal path is full of complex questions, there is no one “right answer”.
All you can do as a student is get to know yourself, and build upon your strengths and skills. An employable candidate has a generalizable set of skills, with demonstrated career competencies.
But how does one gain those skills? Here are three tips that can help:
Join Student Organizations
You are not on this journey alone, there are hundreds of student organizations available to you from your first day on campus.
Membership in an organization allows you to both explore your interests and network with like-minded individuals contributing to a common goal. You will have the opportunity to experience leadership, work with a team, and make connections that can last a lifetime.
The sheer number of organizations available can be a little intimidating, there are over 400 listed on Owl Connect. Narrow your search via keywords and categories.
See how this Temple student used her student organization to launch her career!
Gain Internships
Most people will tell you, “a successful internship placement in college is the best way to find a job after graduation”. There is certainly a lot of truth in that statement. Many companies and organizations hire their interns at a high rate, and of course building experience in your field of interest is important.
Internships are much more than a ticket to employment. With an early start, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and work through several internship opportunities, there is plenty of room to learn more about yourself.
Sometimes it’s worth it to take a chance on an interesting placement, even if it doesn’t align with what you think you “should be doing”. The worst case scenario is you learn more about what you don’t want to do.
If you start early, and keep an open mind to a diversity of opportunities, the possibilities are plentiful.
Check out the Career Center Guide for Internships where you can learn: what they are, where to find them, what to look out for, and how to make the most of your experience.
Your greatest resource is Handshake, our online portal where over 4,000 job, internship, and fellowship opportunities are posted at any given time.
At the time this was written, there were well over 1,200 internships available to apply to.
The Career Center’s Employer Partnership Team is approving new jobs and internships every day, so check often for opportunities!
We are also launching the Temple University Internship Program (TUIP), which provides experiential opportunities to work on-campus with Temple staff and faculty.
Attend Career Center Events
The Career Center works diligently with both employers and partners around campus to aid in your professional development through events.
Workshops are held so you can learn important skills for the job search like writing a professional resume and cover letter.
Networking events provide an opportunity to meet with employers to learn more about their field and what they’re looking for in potential candidates.
Career Fairs put your skills in action, come prepared to make an impression on dozens of employers who are actively recruiting Temple students!
There is no shortage of events on and off campus, be sure to check Handshake early and often.
There are so many experiences available to you that will mold your career path, the only “wrong” choice you can make is inaction. So start exploring, own your future, and enjoy the ride.