Meet Rose, a current finalist and Career Ambassador at the Careers Service, studying Politics and International Relations.
Your university years fly by faster than you think – but the best part? You have those years to cultivate the career you want. Your first year is the prime opportunity to start exploring those options. Here are the tips I wish I had, to begin building those foundations in my first year.
Explore!
It can be easy to get overwhelmed at the start of your university journey. Some have lots of exciting ideas about career prospects, other are not sure at all!
I found that a great place to start was mycareer’s guide on ‘Exploring Career Options’. This guide can help you gain more information on your interests. It is also a great option in first year, to ensure you keep all doors open. Now is the time to explore all the possibilities that come your way and make the most of them!
Network! Network! Network!
Entering my first year at university, I had to quickly become familiar with networking. At first the idea of ‘networking’ was a concept that mystified me. Networking with who? Where? When? What does networking even mean! Networking is the process of building relationships that can provide support, knowledge and opportunities for your career and it isn’t as intimidating as you think.
Networking doesn’t have to begin at big industry events with corporations. I built my confidence through joining a student society that shared my interests. Here, I learnt to get comfortable with meeting new people. This is horizontal networking: building relationships with people on a similar career level to you. Don’t underestimate the value of these relationships, you are establishing a base of future professionals that you share interests with.
Where to Network?
- Careers fairs
- Careers panels
- University societies
- Academic events
Here comes the second biggest university buzzword… LinkedIn! LinkedIn is a social media designed for professional development. It allows you to connect with professionals and maintain your network. If you’re looking for any support on setting up your account, attend our workshop at the Careers Service, ‘Making the best use of LinkedIn and Social Media’. Or read more about networking and LinkedIn here.
The Value of Your Experience
That part-time job you juggle with your studies? It’s your secret weapon for career success. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when hearing about the internships that some students may have. Sometimes you may feel like you already need to play catch up. If there is one piece of advice from professionals that has stuck with me, don’t downplay your part-time jobs. Whether this be in a bar, restaurant or retail, every piece of part-time work matters. It demonstrates to employers your time-management, attention to detail and so much more! If you need help with how to vocalise this in your applications, take a look at the Career Service’s Bank of Action Words.
For more guidance, contact the Careers Service on Live Chat or visit us on campus at 5 Tyndall Avenue for a face-to-face meeting.