Now that the fall semester is well underway, it’s time to make sure that you are paying attention to all things related to your career. Whether you’re an experienced professional hoping to move up in your company, or fresh out of undergraduate college, there are some important but simple steps to prepare yourself for the next phase in your career, beyond simply updating a resume.
Maria Barluenga and Kelly Kochis of the Graduate School of Management’s Stevenish Career Management Center (SCMC) shared their top suggestions for what to get started on now so that you can get ahead later. They have great resources to assist in career development and are always happy to help students. Reach out to them with any questions you may have!
- Work on your LinkedIn profile. Employers will look at your professional online profile to find additional information not shown on your resume. Two important items include:
- Add a professional picture on your account. You are 11 times more likely to have your profile viewed if there is a photo.
- Write a bio summary at the top of your profile. Be sure to include what motivates you, what you are skilled at, and what opportunities interest you.
- Reach out to alumni or other experienced professionals. Clark’s faculty and Clark staff know professionals in your field of interest who would be happy to speak to you. A short informational interview will build your network and give you more in-depth knowledge about a career. Talk to your professors or check out Handshake and ClarkConnect.
Add all campus career-related events to your calendar.
Don’t miss a chance to meet Clark alumni. You’ll learn about companies and organizations from an inside contact, build your network in a field you may pursue, and discover potential internship or job opportunities.
- Practice your communication skills. Any chance you have to speak in front of people, take it! Non-native English speakers should spend as much time as possible speaking English outside of the classroom. Excellent verbal communication skills are desired by employers around the world.
If you’re unsure where to begin, you can always reach out to your academic adviser who can point you in the direction of one of Clark’s career professionals. We all want to see Clark students succeed!
Kelly Kochis is the Associate Director of the SCMC.
Maria Barluenga is the Assistant Director of International Career Services in the SCMC and a GSOM Management Instructor.
