The first days of your freshman year are here! While your time is currently filled with exploring campus, meeting classmates and reading syllabi, you will soon need to make decisions that shape the rest of your college career. Campus career centers and other career services are helpful resources as you pursue a major, search for internships and discover your preferred career pathway.
Explore Career Options
Selecting a major is an important part of your freshman year. Some students come to college knowing the exact career they want to pursue and enroll in a degree program to bring them towards that goal. Other freshmen may take time to explore major options.
Your school’s catalog will include a description of all the programs, majors and minors that they offer. This is a great place to start your research. If a certain major stands out to you, talk with a career counselor or an academic advisor to learn about the coursework requirements. Additionally, you can use online resources to help inform your decision. The MyMajors College Major Assessment is a free resource that identifies students’ best-fit majors to match their aptitude and preferences.
On the other hand, you may have a dream job in mind but are unsure of the best pathway to get there. Consider your interests and strengths as you choose a major. Some programs require more math and analytics, while others are more focused on communications and writing. The real world won’t be just like the classroom. However, if you enjoy what you learn at school, you will likely enjoy the work you do in that field after graduation.
If you are unsure what you want to do or what you are good at, meet with a career counselor to guide you on your next steps. They may recommend taking a personality test, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, DiSC Assessment, O*Net Interest Profiler or CliftonStrengths. These personality tests offered through your college or available to you online are an excellent way to match your natural abilities to a corresponding major and career pathway. Additionally, your career counselor can connect you with older students or alumni who can share their first-hand experiences with your field of study.
Gain Career Experience
Get a head start on your career training by exploring internships and shadowing opportunities during your freshman year. Your school’s career center will provide multiple ways for you to find internships, such as networking platforms or job lists. Earn Up’s internship search tool is another excellent resource for you to view relevant, local opportunities.
It is advantageous to attend your school’s career fair as a freshman. Even if you are not looking for a job quite yet, you can talk to recruiters about internship options and create lasting connections for your future job search. Plus, attending a career fair early on in college helps you become comfortable in the environment and will benefit you down the line.
Improve Your Professional Skills
Your campus career services office is available to serve you in a variety of areas of professional development. Along with helping you decide on a major and searching for internships, career counselors can coach you through important employability skills.
Making a strong first impression is key for freshmen looking for internships. Craft a resume that highlights transferable skills and actionable results, and update it each semester as you become more involved on campus and gain experience. Pair your resume with a strong cover letter to create a fuller picture of your relevant experience and career goals. Additionally, create a positive digital footprint and personal brand that positions you as an ideal candidate.
Once you progress in the internship process, utilize career services to help you nail the interview. Career counselors can do a mock interview with you and help you formulate answers to commonly asked questions. Also, be sure to dress professionally and appropriately for the interview.
There are many available career services that set you up for success during your freshman year. From choosing a major to pursuing internships, you can rely on a variety of resources from your college career services, Earn Up and trusted online tools to inform your decisions and lead you towards a fulfilling career in Northeast Florida.
