Today, I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine who said that she does not know what she wants to do in life. She believes the fact that she is twenty and doesn't know makes her a "failure". I was utterly gobsmacked that she could think that way. My friend (let's call her Elissa) is a psychology major, who is doing her pre-med courses. She is doing medicine because it is what her parents have always pushed her to do, but she does not exactly enjoy it. However, she doesn't hate it either. It is just not her passion or what she perceives as her calling.
I could not understand her point of view. From the age of fourteen, I always knew I would study Economics or Business (never Accounting, though bleh!). I love it as a subject and as a discipline. But, at the age of eighteen, I have no idea where my degree will take me; whether it will point me to journalism, accounting, business, etc. and I am okay with that. When I graduate, I will have a marketable degree and so will she, but how are we, the unsure graduates supposed to find our calling? Well, here are five tips I've gathered from my own experience and advice from my parents and peers.
1. INTERN INTERN INTERN!
Internships, even if unpaid, provide valuable experience and could even land you a full time job. I've interned at banks and law offices and through my intern experience, made judgements on the pros and cons of working in such an establishment. Internships give you a personal view that just reading a job description would not.
2. Join Clubs
As said before, I thought of using my Economics degree to dabble in Journalism. That's also the reason I started this blog, to try out writing and see how I can work. However, a blog alone can not get you a job. I joined the school newspaper and made friends who are all going to be New York Times bound, Pulitzer-Prize Winners in my mind. As someone who is interested in Journalism, the school paper is also a good way to gather clippings of articles for your portfolio (most Journalism internships and entry-level jobs require at least three "published" articles).
If you like Finance, join the Finance/ Investment Club. Acting? Join the Theatre group. You get the idea.
3. Read Up
So, you found out you want to be an Accounting, Economics, English or Psychology major. But, does that mean accountant, economist, teacher or phycologist/psychiatrist is all you can do? No! Your major/ minor can have so many applications in the real world. Visit websites and read journals for your specific field of study. They can offer insight into the myriad of jobs that require your major. Some may surprise you!
4. Talk to professors
Many professors had professional jobs before going into academic work. Form a bond with a few and use them as a career advisor. They could tell you about their professional life and how they might have got into being a professor (if that interests you). A lot even have side jobs or private practises into which they could hire you as an intern. They could also have many friends or connections that could allow you to use them as a recommendation
5. Go to Career Fairs.
Many colleges and universities hold career fair every semester. These fairs a filled with companies trying to attract students and graduates. Look around all the booths and displays. Talk to recruiters and see what they are looking for. There is something there for everyone and you are bound to find something that fits.
All in all, my biggest tip to anyone is do not fret. Do not allow people to choose your career for you. It is your life and you have to live it.
Anna
xx
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