5 Ways to Thrive After College

By: Amy Gonzalez, Intern at Lynn Hazan & Associates

As a college senior, I will soon be entering the job market and competing against other newly graduated students for entry-level positions. With experience limited to being a college student and working part-time jobs, seeking employment might pose a challenge. Now that I’m about to graduate, in hindsight, I wish I would have taken advantage of ALL the opportunities that were offered in school. Here are some activities you can participate in to give you a leg up:

1.???? Join a campus club and/or organization.

2.???? Take advantage of networking opportunities.

3.???? Participate in mentorship programs.

4.???? Volunteer for an organization or group.

5.???? Become an intern for a company that applies to your major.?

While attending Harold Washington College, I was a member of two clubs and was even the President of OLAS (Organization of Latino American Students). While being OLAS President, I practiced skills I already had and learned new ones as well. I was able to use the knowledge I had gained in public speaking and teamwork into action. I also learned new techniques such as making posters on Canva and delegating tasks to colleagues. I wore many hats as President including creating content, presiding over meetings, scheduling speakers, and finding valuable resources for members.?

One of the most valuable benefits from college (aside from academia) is networking. Some people might say what’s important is “who you know, not what you know”; to me it’s both. This popular phrase goes to show how vital relationships are. Although we should make connections wherever we go, college is probably the best place to start. I’ve made acquaintances with:

·?????? Classmates

·?????? Professors

·?????? Speakers brought in by faculty

I specifically chose to establish relationships with fellow classmates. Why? They are going into the job market at the same time as I or maybe even earlier. Having a connection to my peers, when it comes to starting my own job search or recommendations, gives me an advantage. My colleagues could possibly recommend me to their employers and/or offer me advice on how to get a job alongside them.

As a first-generation college student, I could have really benefitted from mentorship programs. At DePaul, they have a few options including:

·?????? Multicultural student success

·??????Transfer peer mentors

·?????? Success coaching

I would also recommend volunteering. You might consider serving food at a shelter, tutoring, mentoring the youth. You can help others and meet new people. For example, I volunteered handing out name cards at the Chicago Innovation Awards. I met many innovators and leaders from different fields including public relations. Volunteering also looks good on a resume.

Internships add value while in school. They are crucial to the learning experience and enhance your resume. I am currently interning for Lynn Hazan & Associates, an executive recruiting firm in marketing and communications (lhazan.com). As a PR major, working for a MarCom recruiting firm is a great opportunity. So far, I have learned more about writing, research, creating content, and networking. I have also been able to find out about job openings and work in real-life recruiting efforts.

In conclusion, there are many opportunities offered in college. Students should take the time to research them to enhance their college experiences and resumes. Join an organization, network, acquire a mentor, volunteer, and become an intern. These are activities you can do to prepare yourself for your career. College isn’t only about the grades. We should make the most of our time there and gain the tools needed to head into the workplace.

Amy Gonzalez, Intern at Lynn Hazan & Associates

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