University classes can only teach us and expose us to so many opportunities. Based on company sponsorships and your geographical region, you might find yourself limited to the industries or job opportunities you are finding. Oftentimes, we need to put extra effort in as high-achieving college students to find something that speaks to what we want to do in our careers. In this blog post, I’ll show you where you can explore career paths and find your dream job.
Join Extracurriculars
One of the best ways to meet new people and open your mind to other possibilities is to join your college clubs. You’ll interact with people from different majors, ambitions, and walks of life. You will be able to explore career paths by learning from them. On top of that, extracurricular organizations usually have sessions, speakers, and events to expand your career horizons. Even if an exact position might not be for your major, it can help you understand how to pivot and fit in an industry you enjoy. For example, as a business major, I wanted to work in the healthcare sector. By joining healthcare-oriented clubs, I showed my strengths to companies that sponsored these organizations and was able to explore career paths related to the industry.
Use Your College Job Sites
College job sites are one of the most underrated resources out there. Companies pay to have their job postings on college job sites. This means they are already interested in you. Use these sites to explore different positions and read their job descriptions. This helps open your eyes to different types of opportunities and helps you understand what else might be out there. Even just reading job descriptions you will learn what resonates more with you. On top of that, you can apply to interesting roles and have a better chance of getting selected for an interview.
Look for Job Shadows or Treks
Company-sponsored events for college students are one of the best ways to explore career paths, especially if you are a freshman or sophomore. Job shadows and treks are an opportunity many companies put on to expose you to the culture, job description, work-life, career path, and more. It is an incredible way to learn more about potential positions, network with employees, and get a free lunch. Whether or not you are interested in a company or industry, seek out these job shadows during your first two years of college to really explore career paths that are out there. Plus, it is a great experience to add to your resume.
{Related Post: 5 Tips to Starting a New Job as a Young Professional}
Use Keywords in Your Search
If you have a particular role you enjoy, try using the keywords to search for the position in a variety of industries. This works in reverse as well: use keywords for the industry you want to work in to find open positions that might fit your skill set. This is how I found and received over 7 offers for my full-time role. If you are interested in product management, use search terms including product development, product innovation, product owner, and more. The same type of job or industry can have many titles, so be smart about how you search for them.
Seek Out Opportunities
This seems obvious, but you could probably be doing more to seek out opportunities if you are really serious about exploring career paths and finding your dream job. Don’t just attend events or apply for positions that seem interesting. Cast a wider net; you never know what might come of it. I attended many job shadows in the accounting field because I got to meet people who had connections in other industries. Similarly, even by attending seminars from companies I wasn’t interested in, I learned about valuable skills such as unconscious bias, interviewing, and more. So to your extracurricular event calendar, the college calendar, class calendars, and more. Seek out these professional opportunities to expand your knowledge of career opportunities available, even if not everyone will interest you.
Final Thoughts
Your dream career path won’t always be handed to you by what you learn in classes. You will need to take the time and effort to seek out unique opportunities. Using the resources that are already at your fingertips is a great way to explore career paths and find the experience you are looking for. I hope this was helpful and good luck on finding your passion!
With love,
Aditi <3
Aditi Rani – Figuring Out Life in Your Twenties
*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. Some links are affiliate. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a commission. It does not alter the price or change your buyer experience.
