As a Student Outreach Coordinator at Aureus Medical, I talk with therapy students every day who are deciding where and how they want to begin their career. It’s a big decision to make and one that differs for each student going through the process. Some students are willing to take the first job that is offered to them, while other students will wait up to six months just so they can have their dream job right out of school. In any case, students will not get a job if they don’t have solid work experience to expand upon during an interview. Seeing as this is a first position, new graduates will only have experience from college jobs or internships during their time in school. Hiring authorities will always ask why a candidate thinks they are the best fit for a job; if there are no experiences to draw upon, a candidate will quickly lose credibility and likely not get the position.
Regardless of whether you interned for NASA, or made cheesies at Amigos, your college job experience is valuable. Making it to work on time, applying feedback from colleagues and managers, and time management skills are not classes that are taught, they are learned through experience! You will reap benefits for years to come by taking a position during college. Here are just a few ways you can make the most out of your college job!
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Even the worst position on the planet provides you with a chance to learn—scratch that, especially a chance to learn. If flipping burgers at Burger King isn’t your dream job, find out why. By taking jobs in college, you’ll find out what kind of position you don’t want to have in the real world. Or maybe you’ll find out that you love the company you intern at! (I know I did!) You’ll never know if you don’t take the risk. Although the statistics I found gave varied information, I found that the average person changes jobs anywhere from six to eleven (!) times throughout their lifetime. It’s probable that at some point you will find yourself in a position that you’re not happy with!
There are jobs that may not be very challenging for you, or that may not provide many opportunities for growth. It’s okay to be discouraged (for a minute), but take a look back at your time there. Maybe you had a poor relationship with your manager while you interned; think of how it provided you with the chance to communicate and problem-solve with someone you don’t agree with. When you are in a leadership position, you can think back on all of the things you don’t want to be as a leader.
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Let’s look back at the example above. If you had a poor relationship with your manager, remain professional and cordial if you decide to leave. Even if you want to give them a piece of your mind on the way out, it will only harm you as you head out into the real world. Throwing a previous manager under the bus during a new job interview will reflect poorly on you as well. Reputations follow you, whether you know it or not. Don’t let a poor reference from a past colleague ruin your chance at getting a job offer!
Be professional
This translates to all aspects of the workplace, from not getting involved in office drama to arriving to work on time. Being professional also includes the amount of information you share about yourself. If you are unhappy with a position, don’t declare it to the office. Respectfully tell your manager that you are unhappy, because they may try to find you something within the company that will make you happy.
If you are unable to show interest in your work, colleagues and managers alike will notice. It’s time to cut the eye-rolling and the attitude; if you truly don’t like a job, it’s time to find something new. Poor work performance, like arriving late or sitting on Facebook all day, has further consequences, such as being fired. Try explaining that to a potential employer.
Network, network, network
Be social. Listen. Show up to work early. Prove that you’re reliable. The list goes on and on!
Everyone we meet has something to teach us. By building relationships with colleagues and clients alike, they will be apt to speak of your credibility and successes when you begin to look for jobs after college. Think of how easy it is to network while in college; there are organizations to join, classmates to befriend, and student jobs to uphold! It is vital to network and make connections during college to ensure you find a position that’s a good fit for you upon graduation.
Networking with your internal colleagues, as well as people you know in your personal life, will bring you to opportunities you would have never known about otherwise. With a motivated and successful group of connections around you, you will be surprised at how many other motivated and successful contacts come your way. The more connections you have, the more opportunities will be available to you.
There are so many ways to make the most of your college job! The experience you gain in college will truly kick off your professional career and set you on the right path. Keep these tips handy whether you’re still in college or beginning your first position. Best of luck to the upcoming graduates!
