The Employment Report

How to Transition from Student to Professional

Since you are a college student, it’s safe to assume that you haven’t started applying for jobs yet. Let’s face it — you haven’t even started looking. When you do finally begin the job hunt, you will run into the same big problem as every other graduate. Most employers are looking for candidates with three to five years of experience, at the least. You can’t get the job without experience, and you can’t get experience without the job. Nobody said life was fair.

Tip 2: Use your resources. 

When employers ask for work experience, they are merely using it as a gauge of whether you are reliable, professional and smart enough to hold down a good job for a long period of time. Of course, they also want to know that you can do a job within their industry. However, if you can prove to them that you have the qualities needed to be a professional in any field, it won’t be hard to win them over.  

Are there professors or advisers at school who know you fairly well? Since you’ve been there for four years you’re bound to know at least one person of influence who is aware of your academic dedication (assuming that you have some). Before you leave school and you are forgotten amid the influx of new students, ask them to write letters of recommendation. When an employer sees that your professor/adviser thinks you to be professional, motivated and trustworthy, he believes that you will apply those same qualities to a position at his company.

While you are collecting these recommendations, you should probably leave something behind, as well. Give a copy of your résumé to your professor or college advising office. Often, advising offices within each department will act as recruiters. They can show your résumé to their contacts in your industry. Research shows that up to 80% of positions are filled as a result of networking. This is why making yourself known early on and maintaining professionalism are so important in the business world.

Now that we’ve covered the small stuff, perhaps you are looking for a bigger way to improve job prospects. Internships are the most thorough method for enhancing credibility while gaining some actual experience. Like a letter of recommendation, it vouches for your good qualities, but it also gives you real workplace experience. They are a bit more work, but can increase your status and salary considerably at an entry level job. Speak to your adviser about internship opportunities. You may even be able to find a paid internship outside of school.

No matter what you choose, the bottom line is that you need to use your resources. If you think your degree is all you’ve gotten out of school, don’t forget that your college contacts can still benefit you in the professional arena.