career

A few weeks ago, I gave the students in my Intro to Career Development class a job searching assignment. In preparation for their Mock Interviews in the coming weeks, they had to search for an entry-level job in their field – a job they were qualified for.  Many of them became anxious and seemingly defeated by one short phrase:  Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience required.

My students were exposed to the famous Catch 22 of job searching: “You need to have experience to get experience.”  A huge part of my job is to teach students, to teach you, how to outsmart the Catch 22.

Most of the students I work with think that Experience is limited to full-time employment.—you know, the kind that includes a salary, benefits, and vacation time.  While full-time jobs are important, Experience is so much more than that.

So what is Experience, anyway? Plucked from the dictionary, Experience is

“active participation in events or activities, leading to the accumulation of knowledge or skill.”

In other words, it’s what you are already doing. Here are some great ways that you can continue to build the Experience section on your resume:

Co-curricular Activities. This includes student organizations, both academic and social. Keep in mind, employers are looking for quality experiences.  It takes more than attending weekly meetings to impress an employer.  Join committees, run for leadership positions, and look for new opportunities!  Most campuses will have at least one student organization that relates to your major or career interests.

Internships. Paid, unpaid, for credit—make sure you do one (or two!)  Internships are a great way to see if you actually like working in a particular field.  This is how you build professional relationships and on-the-job skills that cannot be learned in the classroom.  Employers are looking for candidates with related experience; this is a low-risk, high-value way to do it!  Visit your Career Services office or your academic department to learn about internship opportunities in your field.

Part-time and Seasonal Employment. I’ve noticed that many students exclude their part-time work experience from their resumes.  “I was just a server at a restaurant,” they usually say. But think about all of the skills and attributes you pick up working at a job like that:  teamwork, customer service, time management, training others, problem-solving, sales, and more!  Including these Experiences on a resume also shows an employer that you took the initiative to work while you were taking classes.

If you do not have a job and are worried about managing your time, think about applying for a job on your campus. Work-study or on-campus student employment is convenient, because supervisors will work around your academic schedule.  This is a great way to gain some new skills, strengthen your connections on campus, and make a little extra money!

Volunteer Work. Becoming involved in your community helps to showcase your values.  Students who involve themselves in community service projects care about where they live and the people who live there, too.  Volunteering is also a great way to network and find out “who’s who” in your town.

There are many other ways you can gain transferable skills. Students can sign up for student memberships in professional associations, participate in research, and give academic presentations.  The first step is knowing what Experience is and keeping your eyes peeled for opportunities that will benefit you.

Think about how much time you have left in your college career. What Experiences have you had so far?  What Experiences do you still need that will keep you from getting caught in the “catch 22?”

Mallory Bower is the Assistant Director of Career Services at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She helps college students figure out “what they want to be when they grow up” and encourages them to explore the possibilities, become engaged, and pursue the careers of their dreams.  She spends most of her free time in the kitchen, cooking new and interesting dishes and putting a healthy spin on classic recipes. You can connect with Mallory via Twitter @MalloryBower or email mallory.bower@gmail.com.