Attending college can be one of the most impactful experiences for your future career. During these years, you can develop lifelong friendships, gain the knowledge and skills for your desired career, and network with potential employers that may offer you an opportunity after graduation. So, whether you’re currently in college or are planning to apply, you must make the most out of your experience in order to prepare yourself for the workplace.

Here are some ways you can make the most of your college experience:

Internships

The earlier you start interning in college, the better. Internships provide you with the skills and experience you can apply to your future career. In addition, it’s a great way to start building your resume. Some internships will last a semester or a year, depending on the company’s needs. Check out our job board and connect with your school’s career center to find internship opportunities. 

Part-time Job or Gig Work

Having a part-time job throughout your whole college experience shows that you have discipline, time-management skills and perseverance. Part-time jobs not only build your understanding of how business works, but can expand endless hard and soft skills. One way to squeeze extra experience out of your part-time job is to explore other ways you may be able to help your employer. For example, if you’re a Marketing major, see if there are small ways that you can support the business’s marketing initiatives by managing their social media, improving signage or starting a newsletter. Be creative! Be bold! Remember, the goal is to leave college with some experience under your belt.

Gig work platforms like Task Rabbit, Upwork or Fiverr not only allow you to expand your skills in a wide range of areas but enable you to have more control over your schedule, which is an advantage for students.

Co-ops 

Co-ops, or cooperative educational experiences, allow students to earn credit hours simultaneously while working a paid job. Co-op opportunities are a great way to get hands-on experiences while earning your degree. With this opportunity, by the time you graduate, you will already have the skills and work experience many employers are searching for in new talent. 

Fellowships

Without a scholarship or grant, graduate programs can be costly. Fortunately, fellowship opportunities provide a way to financially support incoming graduate and doctoral students as they complete their degrees. In addition, participating in a fellowship can lead to you making a significant impact in your field of study through research or other opportunities (U.S. News). Fellowships are highly competitive, so you must aim for a high GPA and take advantage of research and internship opportunities to boost your resume/CV as an undergraduate. 

Mentorships

Need some additional guidance on achieving your career goals? Want to meet someone in your aspiring career? If you answered “yes” to both questions, a mentor would be excellent for your career development needs. A mentor can help you advance your career by providing you with the resources and advice you may not receive anywhere else. For example, if you need an internship, a mentor may be able to connect you with someone or find a way to have you work under them at their company. 

Summer Programs

While there’s nothing wrong with relaxing during the summer break, it’s also a great time to participate in programs that can expand your skills and work experience. From studying abroad to research experiences, there are various programs available that you can pursue. If you decide to apply to a summer program, it’s best to start looking during the spring semester, typically when the application period begins. 

Volunteering

One way to give back while gaining valuable experience is volunteering. Whether it’s cleaning up trash around campus or teaching children how to garden, find something of interest to you and start volunteering. In addition to giving back to the community, it’s also a way to get community service, which can be added to your resume. Check out your school’s newsletter or do a quick Google search to find opportunities in your area. 

Teaching Assistant

When a student exceeds expectations in a course, the professor may offer them a teaching assistant position. Being a teaching assistant is a great way to develop your teaching, public speaking, and leadership skills. As a teaching assistant, you may be responsible for:

• Conducting lectures

• Facilitating study groups

• Grading assignments

• Providing tutoring

• Responding to student’s emails

Some schools will pay a student’s tuition if they decide to become a teaching assistant or receive an hourly rate like any other job. However, if you excel as a teaching assistant your first year, they may choose to extend your role for an additional year. If you’re interested in becoming a teaching assistant, develop strong relationships with your professors and check out your school’s job board to discover open teaching assistantships.

Research Assistant

Similar to a teaching assistant, a research assistant is responsible for leading lab courses and helping students complete lab experiments. If you have a research interest, this opportunity is a great way to gain experience, which can help when applying for graduate school or jobs. In addition, this role is also often paid for by the school, requiring that the students take a certain number of courses and maintain their GPA.

Student-Led Organizations

There are hundreds of student-led organizations available to join on campus. From sororities to honor societies, these organizations are a way to network and make new friends. In addition, most organizations will offer opportunities to join their leadership team. These roles can include President, Vice President, Secretary, Vice President of Public Relations, and several others. If you can obtain a leadership role within a student organization, it can be very appealing to potential employers and graduate programs if you add it to your resume/CV.

If you’re ready to get some experience under your belt, check out our job board to discover internships, fellowships, and part-time and full-time opportunities.