By Grace Fortier | Photographer
When you’re fresh out of college and are in the job market, having an attractive resume is crucial. Let’s say you’re applying for a position as a marketing specialist. You went to a highly-ranked university and got your marketing degree; maybe you even joined a sorority and worked at a local restaurant over the summers. Your competition got that same marketing degree, but they interned in digital marketing during the summers after their sophomore and junior years, worked as a social media manager for a local business, did freelance photography and held multiple leadership positions in several different organizations. I hate to break it to you, but you lost that one.
I’d say the best thing about gaining experience in college is all of the connections that come with it. The best advice I’ve ever been given is that connections are necessary if you want to be even slightly successful. Especially within Greek Life and other organizations, those memberships come with lifelong connections.
Now I’m not saying to put school second or to not make it a priority, but gaining experience should also be a top priority alongside school. Often, I’ll hear people make excuses for why they don’t want to join an organization, work or get an internship. The most common excuse is, “I don’t have time.” There are 24 hours in a day, and if you sleep for eight of them, then you still have 16 hours. I know no one is spending all of those 16 hours on school.
Learning time management while in school will be necessary to prepare you for any position out in the real world. Balancing work, bills and families seems much more intense than a few college classes, a remote part-time internship and sorority leadership. Learn those skills now so that you are prepared for what’s to come.
With hundreds of on-campus organizations, Greek Life, student employment positions and internships, there are so many options out there to get involved.
Join as much as you can without spreading yourself too thin. Make use of your four years.
