How to Prepare for Employment After College

It is understandable to be currently enrolled in college or university studies in the United States and already having some concerns about job prospects upon graduation.

After all, many Americans are having difficulties getting jobs, and many college graduates (even MBA recipients) are having a hard time rebounding from pink slips and layoffs. With the economy uncertain and with college loan repayments being due soon after graduation, it behooves current college students think further ahead and be more proactive earlier in their collegiate and academic careers.

While the stimulus package is creating some jobs, they may not be in areas in which one is interested in working, or may not be long term, satisfactory employment for some. The best way to insure as much luck, happiness, and success with the job hunt a few years down the road, current college (and even, high school students) ought to take some of these suggestions to mind.

Improve Computer Skills to Get Ahead

Although many high school and college students have to type papers, use the Internet, and give presentations using computers, it is still important to learn as much about computers and technology as possible. In the current job market, it is essential to be proficient with computers and even Internet research. Any additional web design, programming, and software (for example, statistical programs) one learns is an added asset to market in one's resume and skill set.

Designing a webpage or website is also an excellent way to have a professional source for potential employers to peruse. One could upload a resume and maybe writing or artwork samples (depends on major field of study/industry wish to work in). A short biography and picture can add a professional flair.

Likewise, digitalising everything from transcripts to letters of recommendation makes it much easier to print out packets to send in for application phases of the job search. Learning how to use scanners and how to convert file types will help a young graduate get ahead and make the application process go more quickly.

One could also create a professional blog marketing one's knowledge of the industry. The main thing is to make it professional: no incomplete sentences or poor grammar/spelling errors, and stay focused on being professional.

These ideas all are projects with a dual purpose: diversifying a student's computer skills and making as professional of a presentation of this skill set to impress employers. These all can be undertaken piecemeal while still attending classes and going to part-time jobs.

A Strong Job Candidate Picks Elective Courses Wisely

In addition to making one's computer skills as robust as possible, high school and college students ought to think twice about the elective courses they choose. While easier course loads might be alluring, they will not help when trying to make headway with a job search. Computer courses, foreign language classes, and even a double major all make an individual more marketable.

Foreign language fluency is desirable especially in international business and relations, but can even help in education and other fields too. A double major helps diversify one's skill set, whether providing improved critical thinking skills or another industry to pursue employment in the event one ends up with less opportunities.

These credit hours have to be taken anyways in order to complete a high school diploma or college degree, so why not make the most of the time invested and take classes to help get an individual ready for a desirable career track?

Pursuing Additional Certifications Before Leaving College

Although there is always the option of going back to school for additional training, it is often cheaper to work on certificates or minors before graduating. Teaching certification takes less time to work towards if one enrolls in a dual bachelors-masters program or a bachelors-certification track than it does if one majors in a non-education major and then decides after graduating that teaching is the right career track.

Likewise, some schools offer specialized certificates in interdisciplinary programs, event planning or area studies like Latin American Studies for example. One can often find these certificate programs listed within the academic catalog of his or her university or college.

The key to success with a minor or with a certification is to plan early, unless one does not mind perhaps adding another semester or two to their collegiate career to finish out the requirements. If one is at a vocational or community college, there are other certificate options like those in the health sciences which may add to the student's credentials to enroll at a four-year institution or enter the workforce at a higher level than without the training.

In closing, if one plans ahead, works on computer and language skills, and uses his or her time in college wisely, there is a chance to have everything lined up before graduation, so it is a seamless transition into the real world. At very least, the process of getting as many skills and training as possible was cheaper while in college than if it had been left until post-graduation.