11 Things To Do in School To Kick-Start Your Career

It's the start of new year and many of us have siblings, mentees and people in the University or about to start their journey in one. 

Here's an advice you should give them:

Have a life.

For most people life doesn't end in the university. You'll probably want to get a Masters or PhD or join a Fellowship in an awesome multilateral organisation or foreign country. Most of these will require you write a Letter of Motivation where you are to explain why that programme is important.

Many organisations will expect you possess leadership skills or have an involvement in community development.

The best place to get these is in school.

There you are exposed to a diverse community and opportunities abound.

Some examples of things you should do in school:

1. Study well and graduate with a good grade. So many programmes have minimum requirements (2.1) and you don't want to shut the door before you get a foot in. But if by some stroke of fate you don't get a great grade, you shouldn't be found wanting in any of the other stuff.
2. Join politics at the departmental level. It's a good place to learn and portray leadership ability.
3. Join a society. Rotaract (Rotary International) or Junior Chambers International (JCI) are two popular societies in school. They tend to have annual community projects and it will help if you partake in these.
4. Apply for internship in companies. Many multinational and local companies have openings and you'll get good work experience from this. Don't waste your holidays. A month paid/unpaid internship will spice up your resume.
5. Volunteer. It makes you a better human to understand privilege and the suffering of others and let's others see you as someone who cares. There are so many NGOs who need volunteers.
6. Be a student ambassador. If Microsoft, LinkedIn, Facebook or whoever is looking for student ambassadors, you want to be that person.
7. Learn a skill. Soft skills can be the difference between you and the next good candidate.
8. Attend seminars. You'll learn about opportunities, discover something new and prove to be someone interested in self-development.
9. Your Internet subscription is an investment, don't waste it on social media every day. Download apps that bring the news to you. Take advantage of Google. Join reasonable groups on Facebook. Learn a something new on Coursera, EdX; brush up on Khan Academy. Education doesn't end in the classroom and self-education is the best kind there is.
10. Buy good books and read. Read often. Read a lot. Not only will you broaden your perspective and knowledge, you'll also learn a thing or two about writing and expressing yourself better.
11. Learn another language. French, German, Portuguese, Mandarin are good places to start. Attend a language class or use apps like Duolingo.

This list isn't exhaustive. Remember to keep the big picture before you and take calculated steps to get closer to it.

Have an awesome New Year.