It used to be that students would start thinking about landing their first job post-college at the start of their senior year – maybe even as late as the second semester of their senior year. They’d see what jobs were posted at the career center, what companies were coming to campus for interviews, and sign up for a chance to interview with those companies. Maybe they would attend a career fair to learn about certain companies to gain an edge at getting the interview. Hopefully, before graduation in May, they would have employment secured and begin their transition into the working world.
Yeah. Not anymore.
In the current campus recruiting market, the process of seeking post-college employment starts not long after unpacking your bags and meeting your new roommate, as a freshman! OK, perhaps that is a bit of an exaggeration, but the process begins much sooner than it used to be. Students are learning early in their college careers to construct resumes and compose cover letters. They are attending career fairs their first semester on campus, meeting employers, and setting the stage for more serious conversations with them in the not-too-distant future. They are finding internships before earning half of the credit hours required for graduation.
Is all this early engagement necessary to find a job upon graduation? No, but it sure helps getting a head start on others with whom you’ll be competing in the marketplace.
So, after memorizing your class schedule, doing the schedule walk-through, and meeting those in your classes with whom you share your area of interest, grab one of those classmates, throw on the one nice suit or outfit that you brought to school and make your way to the career fair. Print out a stack of resumes (I know, it won’t be very substantive yet and will have a number of high school accomplishments, but it’s your “business card”!) and complete the employers’ candidate profile online so you are in their database. Talk to employers and get to know what they do, and the types of opportunities they offer. Collect business cards and send a quick email of thanks. You are now networking!
You have now laid the groundwork for future engagements with employers and, perhaps, that first internship. You are well on your way to landing your first job!
