No matter which phase of the UBalt Career Cycle you are in, gaining experience is crucial. While you are a student at UBalt, you should set a goal to gain experience through at least 2-3 of these methods.
See if the industry you're interested in has a local, regional or national organization that hosts networking or social events where you can meet people already engaged in your chosen profession and connect to career services to help newcomers to the field. These organizations are great places to start building your networks, and many offer reduced membership rates for students.
Find someone who is doing what you would like to do and "pick their brain." Invite them for coffee, saying you know they are experts in their field and you want to learn about trends, opportunities and ideas for transitioning into their industry or sector. Remember: You are not asking for a job; you are seeking information to better prepare yourself to make this transition. (By the way, if they know of a job and think you’ll be a good fit, they'll tell you.)
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Further develop your knowledge, skills and abilities by participating in research- and project-based learning; community and civic engagement activities; or internships, study abroad and work-study positions.
Grow your skills and develop relationships in whatever ways you can. Employers desire candidates who get involved outside of what is required academically and seek out candidates who can demonstrate they are leaders. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Having someone more experienced than you to support you on your career path is invaluable. Most successful people, when asked how they made it, refer to people along the way who mentored them. Ask someone in your network if they’d mentor you, or try one of these avenues:
As a student at UBalt, you are part of a strong—and large—network. Our faculty and alumni work in their fields and already have industry knowledge and connections. They know firsthand the impact a UBalt education has, and they’ve made the transition from college to the workplace. Developing connections with them will afford you greater insight into possible careers and help you continue to network long after graduation. Resource: