Whether you are starting your first year at Bay Path, or preparing to graduate, you are probably already thinking about what you’d like to do as a career after graduation. Maybe you have always known you wanted to be a teacher, or a scientist, or a cybersecurity analyst, but you may not be sure about how you can prepare for your future career now. Or maybe you have no idea what you want to do after you graduate! No matter the case, these four tips can help you take the next step towards your goals:
- Take advantage of the free services offered by the Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center (SCLP).
The SCLP office is located on the ground floor of the Blake Student Commons, and it is open from 8:30 am- 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The SCLP offers many free services, such as business cards, resume/cover letter review, internship planning, professional photos for your online business social media profiles, and much more. You can even schedule an appointment with your personal career coach by visiting the Carpe Diem Career Network!
- Find a mentor in your field of interest.
As a student at Bay Path, you already have access to advisors, faculty, staff, and other people on campus who can answer your career questions along the way. But as you begin to narrow down your career choice, finding a mentor in your chosen field is priceless. A mentor is someone who either currently works in your chosen field, or has worked in the field in the past. Where can you find a mentor? Ask your friends, family, and professors if they may know someone who is working in your field of interest who may be interested in mentoring you. If the potential mentor says yes, you now have a resource you can go to whenever you have questions about your career path. It may take some time to find a mentor who fits your needs, so don’t be discouraged if you have to ask several people before finding your “match.”
- Increase the net worth of your network.
Your current network of friends and family are a great asset, but you should also be working to expand your professional network. Spend time each month looking for networking opportunities in your area and on campus that are in your chosen field. LinkedIn is also a great place to build your network because you can ask your current connections to “introduce” you to people in their network who may be working in your chosen field/major.
- Review your social media channels.
And speaking of LinkedIn, have you reviewed your social media channels lately? You most likely have accounts on Instagram and Snapchat, and you may also have accounts on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media platforms. Take some time this month to review the photos, posts and even the posts you have shared on these outlets. Delete anything you would not want a potential employer or internship site supervisor to see! Employers often review the social media platforms of prospective employees, and you do not want one post from your senior year in high school to be the reason you are not invited back for a second interview!
College is a time to learn, have fun, and make memories, but it is also a time to prepare
for your future. While you are enjoying your journey, don’t forget to make time to work
on your career plan so that you are ready for the workforce after graduation.
