Essential job search tips for post-secondary students
Credit to Author: Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer| Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2025 16:33:14 +0000
Finding meaningful work can be challenging for students who put off their job search until after graduation. Staying aware of possibilities and preparing for future work during your studies may help you when school is over, and the job hunt is fully on. As a post-secondary student, you don’t want to sacrifice your focus and time. There are some things that you can do to prepare for the eventual full-time job hunt. Whether you are in your first semester or your final one, planning for your future work life is an important part of post-secondary education.
Get some work experience
Many programs offer work placements, internships and co-op opportunities. These experiences help you determine if your chosen path is a good fit, allow you to gain contacts in your field and provide you with some material to discuss in future job interviews. When you are not able to get a formal placement, or it is not part of your program, you can try volunteer work which can offer similar benefits in terms of gaining exposure in the field, making new connections and honing your skills.
Part-time work while you are in school can also be very valuable. Many schools offer work opportunities to students. For example, professors may be looking for students to hire to help with research, or you may be able to work as a tutor or peer mentor. If you start working early on, you may be able to secure even better jobs by your last semester, which will add value to your resume.
Work experience is not only helpful for students who want to find employment after graduation. If you plan to pursue graduate studies right after your undergraduate degree, work or observational experience may be required for admission to your chosen program. Regardless of your needs, the staff at your school’s career centre can help you find opportunities, improve your online presence and enhance your resume writing and interview skills.
You will get more out of this service if you access it early rather than in your final semester, but it’s never too late. School-sponsored career fairs may help connect you with employers and give you an opportunity to ask recruiters questions, such as industry trends, relevant skills and expected salaries. Some schools also offer support in starting your own business, such as developing a business plan and applying for funding.
Pick up additional skills
When jobs are easy to come by, your studies may be enough to secure meaningful employment. However, when times are more competitive, you will often need additional qualifications. Extra skills that an employer doesn’t necessarily ask for but are potentially beneficial to them can increase your value as a candidate. For example, a customer service manager who speaks multiple languages may be more valuable than someone with only one. A social service administrator who also knows some accounting can be an asset.
Volunteer work may also provide opportunities to develop skills like writing, public speaking, customer service, teamwork and many other abilities valued by employers. Schools also offer opportunities to participate in clubs, student government and competitive sports. These experiences can speak to your ability to take on leadership roles, come up with creative solutions and work in a team — skills that employers often look for and ask you about in interviews.
Establish connections and maintain your contacts
The people you meet at school — classmates and their friends and family, professors, staff and employers — are valuable contacts. If they like your work, they may pass on information about opportunities, provide references or offer work experience. Staying in touch can be done in person, through messaging, sharing interesting reading material or information. The expansion of online learning over the last few years has made it harder to establish connections at school, but it is still possible.
While it can be tempting to passively listen in remote classes, being more visible and present will likely benefit you. Turning on your camera, asking questions and actively participating will make it less likely that you are overlooked. Being a full-time student is time consuming but investing some energy into preparing for your future while in school will likely pay off later. Gaining work experience is not always an option, but there are other ways to build your skills and experience by utilizing your school’s resources
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