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While doing a guest post for Studenomics here, I was inspired to look back at my time in University and the things I missed out on. So here is a short list of things I wished I did more of and I would strongly suggest anyone who is in school to really look into these points.
1. Make more friends with your classmates
I think this would be one of the most important things I missed out on, because looking back now, I have kept in contact with only a few friends from University. If I would have stayed in contact with more, it would have helped with networking for networking and maybe even leading to a job.
The general idea is having friend in University, is almost like the start of a lifelong friendship because all of you are going into the same field, so it is almost looked at as a business you are doing together.
Network your way to job security
2. Get involved with organizations, events, competitions
The biggest benefit would be the ability to develop leadership skills while developing more connections through networking. Once again, getting involved
3. Develop relationships with your professors, program advisors
I recall having a few professors that had their own businesses, imagine the networking potential they could provide for you, let alone the potential for getting hired by them. Program advisors can also help with setting a path for your career in terms of what jobs are available, additional training and education.
Establish rapport with your professors
4. Attend networking and job fairs
Even though you may not need a job right away, creating relationships and spreading your name around goes a long way. This goes hand in hand with being involved with an organization so the recruiter sees you as a great asset.
5. Take advantage of your career centre
The moment you step into you program, go to the career centre to get help with your resume so you can apply for jobs in your field and get an early start. I went to my career centre 2 years after graduating, it is a bit embarrassing but I understand now what I missed out on.
6. More job experience, internships or even international travel/work
Look into summer work in your field, internships, co-op and even volunteer. Having international experience or just travel is a great bonus on your resume because employers see that you are flexible and can work in a diverse environment.
While working with insurance sales, I was advised by many families who were fairly wealthy that I should save as much as I can while living at home. This didn’t hit me until recently and I finally understand the significance of it.
8. Develop goals for my career and the following years after graduation
I went through my education simply for the sake of completing it and thinking I could just land a great 40K job once I graduate. Boy was I in for a reality check when I graduated and now I am upset with myself because I want to move out on my own as soon as I can but I have not saved enough.
9. Not depend on my parents, especially financially
I paid for most of my own things throughout school however I did not pay for rent or any bills until recently. Also, from the previous point, I did not save because I felt no pressure to move out.
10. Have a job in your field before you graduate
As I mentioned above, I thought it would be so easy to land a job after I graduate but it wasn’t, I still have not found a position in my field. This is because I did not take advantage of my University years, networking and goal setting.
10 things to do when you graduate without a job
BONUS : Avoid Debt
Try to avoid racking up debt while in college, this is what turns us into slaves for the next few years while we struggle to find meaningful work, get our lives on track and pay off debt.
Student loans are crushing new grads, cry me a river
Is there anything else you can add to this list?
Further Reading…
Can we fix the educational system?
Frugal living for professionals from college students
For more quality articles on college life refer to Studenomics, he has a great list of about 30 articles on various topics.
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- A University degree doesn’t guarantee a $40K Job Boy, was I wrong about this assumption when I started...
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Andrew
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I wish I had that list when I was in the university.
Good stuff indeed, making friends is #1 priority – right on!
Liked it a lot!
Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com’s last blog post..You Are 95 And You Are Dying
Good stuff.
I especially like the first point. I like to think of it as teaming up to take on life. Life can be a tough journey when you go it alone. Good friends can help you make the most of the journey.
J.D. Meier’s last blog post..Iterate More, Plan Less
Alik, thanks for your comment.
Yes making friends despite they may not be close friends but just acquaintances, can work to your benefit.
J.D., thanks for your comment.
That is a great description, it truly is like forming a team to go on a lifelong journey.
I concur with Alik and J.D. Mier with respect to the importance of making friends.
Personally, I feel that I kept to myself way too much during my time at uni, and that is something that I regret now.
It truly is a wonderful time to meet new people and I wish that I had taken more advantage of that opportunity.
That said, four of my best friends are friends who I met through university, and I have certainly cherished their friendship ever since.
In terms of items to add to the list, I would have said ‘enjoy yourself’ but I guess if you get involved and make lots of friends, that will probably come naturally anyway.
Andrew’s last blog post..You bet, you lose, your problem
Andrew, thanks for your comment.
Good point, enjoying yourself would be another thing since you only live through that experience once.
Nice list. I agree with all the points…. I’m glad I did some exchanges and was involved with a few extracurricular things, but I might have been able to do more of that. The problem is that it’s hard to see what’s important while you’re going through it, if you’re going to avoid simply living by someone else’s idea of what you should be doing. But I think the points about trying to get work in your field before you’re done, and trying to make more significant contacts with people is very important.
MoneyEnergy’s last blog post..The Crisp, Clean Feel of 1,000,000 Suburban Dollars: One Guy’s Road From Stale Money to Fresh Finance
Clare, thanks for your comment.
I definitely agree with you, it is interesting to see that when we look back at those times, we can clearly see what we should have done. Yet, when we were at that stage, we didn’t recognize the significance.
I think in general, the biggest shock for me was not having experience when entering the workforce after graduating.
I think i wish I would have networked more.
When I graduated I didn’t no anyone and I didn’t find a good job right away.
TStrump’s last blog post..Could You Buy Real Estate with Someone?
TStrump, thanks for your comment.
Networking is very useful, the more I read on it and learn, the more I think it is almost a must have in order to succeed in whatever career or business you are in.