By Elisabeth Tharp | Broadcast Reporter
College is the time to learn everything you can in order to succeed in your chosen career. You’ll learn how to plan ahead, think critically, avoid mistakes and become the best employee you can be.
College is also the time for two things that I believe are key for most students trying to land a job after they graduate: networking and taking opportunities.
In high school, I dreamed of one day being on TV. Today, that dream is becoming a reality. Yes, my classes have prepared me for my job choice to be a broadcast reporter, but without networking and pursuing the opportunities presented to me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. In fact, most of the people I’ve met who are incredibly successful in their jobs all tell me the same two things.
First, if a new door is opened up to you, walk through it. Even if its not 100 percent what you’re looking to get into, you don’t know where it might lead you. Opportunities can spark new ideas in your mind and create new relationships in your life.
Second, if you want to get anywhere in your field, it’s all about who you know and who knows you. I believe networking plays a huge role in every job. Whether you want to become a scientist or an actor, you can’t climb the ladder of success by yourself.
With networking comes opportunities, and vise versa. These two aspects are the game changers for any student looking for a job out of college, or even someone looking to move up to a higher position in their company.
You don’t know who you’re going to meet and what someone could offer you. This word is full of amazing people just waiting to help you; Your job is to go out there and meet them. Take that extra step and go that extra mile. Shake the hand of everyone that offers it to you, and never turn your back on any chance.
I never knew my life would be the way it is today, but it wouldn’t be like this without the people I have met along the way. With those people came new doors and new things to try. I have taken every chance given to me, and I have never been happier.
This is the time to get out of your bed, turn off Netflix and try something new. You may never know what you are fully capable of by yourself. You need others to show you new things, open your mind to different possibilities and push you constantly. You will always have your family and friends, but there are some amazing professionals in this world you have never met that will impact your career in incredible ways.
Networking and being open to different opportunities will change your life, just like it has changed mine.
