HBCU graduates go on to rewarding professions, advanced degrees and business ownership. However, successful graduation, career success and work satisfaction requires planning. That’s why our tagline for Freshman Year is: Start Good Career Habits Early!

If you are beginning your college life, regardless of your age, and if you are like most students, you might still be fuzzy on which career path you will want to pursue now or in the future. Very few first year students have a pretty good idea about what their future career could be. Let me alert you – Do not be surprised if at some point during your college experience you want to make a change. Studies show that at least 50% of college students change majors at least once before graduation.

Why Do College Students Change Their Majors?

  • You discover more about what we call The Real V.I.S.A. (Values, Interest, Skills and Abilities).

  • You could become curious about other college majors.

  • You have no idea about the career options that await you. It’s possible that you could pursue a well known profession, an emerging profession or even make up your own path, not yet defined. As the future of work evolves, expect that to happen.

  • You take a class in your major and you decide that you really don’t like the material you will have to study at all.

No matter what your major is going to be, my best advice for college freshmen is – In addition to starting good career habits early; find the career center on your HBCU campus in your first semester!

Career Tips to Make Freshman Year a Success

  • Think more about what you want to DO instead of what you want to BE. Don’t get hung up on job titles. They are changing!

  • Start building those professional digital skills. You will need them!

  • Update your social media carefully because your digital footprints sometimes last a long time.

  • Keep messages about your HBCU positive! You want to elevate the value of your degree!

  • Expand your career and industry awareness by asking questions, reading and going to events on campus.

  • Focus on academics. Many competitive internships in your sophomore and junior years will require a 3.0 or higher GPA.

  • Explore activities and events that give you a chance to understand more about your Values, Interests, Skills and Abilities.

  • Join The HBCU Career Center Community to get updates about career events throughout the year.

  • Get your job search documents ready (Resume, Cover Letter, Thank you letter)! See our Career Toolkit!

  • Plan your summers early and add meaningful experiences to explore your Values, Interests, Skills and Abilities.

  • Don’t leave college without a study abroad experience, volunteering, internships and doing meaningful spring breaks.

  • Start thinking about how to manage your college debt. It’s not too early!

Freshman Career Resources


Looking for a new job or internship?

UPLOAD YOUR RESUME TO CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS RECRUITING HBCU TALENT

Hundreds of employers post jobs on The HBCU Career Center to connect employment opportunities with HBCU students and alumni.