The spring semester is finally upon us, which means textbook shopping, class finding and syllabi reading. But this semester, instead of just planning out how to have a successful semester, why not branch out and start preparing for life after college? We’ve got some helpful tips get you in gear and ready for the real world.
Make friends with your professors
Professors have office hours for a reason — to see you! They are there for you in a number of helpful ways: to discuss the course concepts, grades and your future. If you take the time to get to know them, and vice versa, obtaining a letter of recommendation later on shouldn’t be a difficult task. It’s also important to remember that your professors know important people, and can get you in contact with them to make important connections and broaden your professional network.
Start applying to internships now
Summer internship deadlines are quickly approaching, so now is the time to get a move on. Depending on what your major is (and what you want to do), there are plenty of opportunities out there to gain some experience in your particular field. We’ve found a few websites that have search engines for finding the perfect internship for you!
http://www.iseek.org/education/internships.html
http://www.internqueen.com/
http://www.crc.ufl.edu/students/studentJobGlance.html
Be on the look out for part-time job opportunities
Having extra cash in your bank account is always nice, but having your own, earned money is even better. Instead of asking mom and dad for some allowance this summer, start looking and applying for part-time jobs to gain experience and create lines on your resume. Having experience — even if it is folding tops at Forever 21 or brewing coffee at Starbucks — will look great to future employers. These jobs will show employers that you can work well with others in a team environment, can be depended on and aren’t afraid to put in the labor.