How to Get a Job Before Graduating
Many students graduate college and do not use their degree. How many people do you know working in fast food or as a construction laborer, even after graduating from college? College is an incredible investment of time and money, take initiative before you graduate and get a good job using your degree. I’ve narrowed the process down to 3 steps I call the c’s to successful employment.
The c’s to successful employment are: contacts, credibility, and communication.
Having Good Contacts
Getting a job before you graduate starts with making good contacts. In addition to your friends and family who already support you and encourage your efforts in college, it’s important to meet professors, licensed professionals and leaders throughout the community. These people are great contacts to have because they can get your foot in the door of the profession and give you an opportunity to pursue an internship. With an internship, there’s potential to gain college credit, steady pay, and work experience long before walking on graduation day.
“The way of the world is meeting people through other people.” –Robert Kerrigan
There no telling how many people you can meet through just one person. Think for a moment how many friends you have that you’ve met through other people?
I’ve found that one of the easiest ways to make contacts is to become involved with a community organization. If you were to spend several hours a week with an organization like Toastmasters or Habitat for Humanity, you’ll be amazed how many projects you can become involved with and how many people support your efforts.
I participated in a house project with Habitat for Humanity that allowed me to make contacts with architects, landscapers, and electricians. I exchanged several business cards and learned construction methods from professionals. No doubt I’ll use these contacts for projects in my own house in the future!
Set aside time every day to meet new people and make contacts. Your efforts might get you a business card or they could get you a job interview. There are many ways to make good contacts, especially in college!
Take for example:
After an interesting lecture on dark matter and galaxy halos, approach your astronomy professor after class and ask him what sort of telescope he uses. Then ask him if the college offers any internship that allows students to work in an observatory.
Your professor may or may not know of an internship opportunity, but now they know you’re interested in astronomy and not just taking the course as a requirement. They may recommend you talking with so and so who happens to be looking for an assistant in their observatory. One question could get you 2 contacts!
I’ve done this myself. During a CAD class in college, I asked my professor who to talk to about getting a job as a draftsman. He told me there was someone at the continuing education department who knew a person who regularly hires college students. Sure enough, I gave my resume to that person and in 2 weeks I was interning as a draftsman at a local construction firm. A good contact got me my job!
Questions like these show that you have a willingness to learn and you’re now perceived as a more dedicated student. This initiative will put you slightly ahead of your peers and now you have an edge in the class. If you have established a relationship with the professor and show your concerned about your status in the class, you’ll likely get a better grade, regardless of past test scores.
Having a good contact can get you the job you’re looking for, or help you strengthen a relationship with a professor.
For instance
Visit your professor’s office on the same day you had a particularly hard math exam. Ask for 5 minutes of their time and explain your concern for your grade and how hard you thought the test was.
This initiative to talk about your concerns right after the test makes a lasting impression. It may surprise you, but some professors are willing to let you retake the test or perhaps grade you a little easier when they’re correcting the exams. Sometimes professors will take extra time and give you a one on one lesson. It’s hard to say what they’ll do, but you won’t know until you ask them.
Your actions show that you care about your education, and that you’re resourceful enough to ask questions and pursue opportunities. They show that your comfortable communicating your concerns and that you have a desire to succeed. Small contacts like these are helpful for a job before graduating.
Establishing Credibility
Now that you’ve made a few contacts, it’s time to start establishing some credibility. Credibility is the influence derived from a good reputation; a true measure of your character and personal value. To establish credibility, your words must be turned into actions. Be influential among your peers, family, and friends and make something really big happen!
For instance
Set a goal to finish a marathon. Then tell a few people you’re going to run a marathon, pursue training for one, and then complete the actual race. Accomplishing a goal of this magnitude will do 3 things. First, you will have proven to yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to. Second, you develop a reputation as a dedicated individual who’s actions motivate and influence others. Finally, you will have established credibility among your friends and family.
Become a person of your word and you’ll establish a good reputation. That’s the credibility that many will come to see about you and recognize immediately!
Take for example
You volunteer 3 hours on a Saturday to help at the local soup kitchen. After checking in with the coordinator, take a moment and introduce yourself to other volunteers. These people share your desire to help others, and your more than likely to meet some future friends. Spending your time here helping others is an example of your kind and caring nature. I believe you’ll find this experience to be very rewarding and will look forward to working with such nice people.
Spending time volunteering and running are excellent ways to gain credibility and stay in shape. Your actions inspire other people as well! But let’s say your weekends are full and you don’t have time to train for a marathon. There are quicker ways to establish credibility.
Take for example
The cardboard model you’ve constructed in architecture class is missing something. You conclude that the model would seem more realistic if it included the site’s topography.
In addition to your normal architecture classes and assignments, make 2 office appointments with your professor. Schedule one meeting on Monday to discuss the plans for your model. Schedule a second meeting for Friday and present what you’ve accomplished since Monday. Balance your assignments so you’ll have an extra 45 minutes every evening to do this.
By the end of your presentation on Friday, you will have established credibility and competence in your work. In addition, you have physical results to show for your efforts and have conveyed a determination in achieving what you have set out to.
These examples will allow you to become a credible person and to be perceived as a hard working individual. You could now use this professor as a reference when applying for a job.
Communicating Your Value
No doubt you’ve realized the importance of communication while making contacts and establishing credibility. Now it’s time to pile up your value and sell yourself to prospective employers with a solid resume. This word may sound intimidating, but don’t stress over it. Have confidence in knowing you’ve become a valuable person, now it’s just a matter of telling employers that!
It’s important to concentrate on your strong traits and build yourself up so you stand out among the other applicants. Determine what your best qualities are and write them down. A best quality might include good communication skills or exceptional work ethic. Try and communicate the most about yourself in as direct a way as possible. Your resume might include these characteristics:
Knowledgeable about building systems and sustainable design.
Effective communicator and leader for Habitat for Humanity.
Play your strengths here. List positive things about yourself and be honest. These are qualities you will demonstrate if the position is offered to you.
Another effective way to practice communication is through good public relations. You are the person you have become today because of your values and beliefs. Tell people these things. A first step might include writing a letter to the editor of a local newspaper. Your letter can say something about yourself, and also ask the community to support you in your efforts to help an organization. Your letter might read:
To the editor,
And fellow distance runners of Keene, NH
I invite you to participate in a marathon fundraiser. Recently, I have decided it a worthwhile endeavor to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and run the Clarence DeMar Marathon held annually in Keene. My goal is to raise $1,000 for this organization.
After having the privilege of serving on Habitat’s board of directors for over a year, I’ve been fortunate enough to share time and energy with good-hearted, caring people who are dedicated to providing decent, affordable homes for low income families. The experience has enriched my life and inspired me to help Habitat as much as I am able.
If you would like to donate to Habitat, or pledge vicariously through a participating runner, visit our website www.habitatnh.org. I invite runners of all ages to join me this September, and take on the challenge of the marathon while supporting Habitat for Humanity.
Messages like these can make a very powerful impression on people. This letter to the editor helped me raise $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity. I was also able to communicate why I’m helping Habitat and hopefully inspire others to join our organization.
A well-written letter to the editor will speak volumes about your character, and tell more about your attitude then a resume would. Take some time and read the paper for an article you agree with and respond to it or start a fundraiser of your own and ask the community for support.
The c’s to successful employment can help you get the job your after. I know they work because they helped me get my job as a draftsman before graduating. So, if your looking to get some early experience and are tired of dead end jobs, practice the c’s to successful employment and get a good job using your degree. |
