I’M IN COLLEGE! NOW WHAT?
By: Belinda M. Gonzalez-Leon, Ed.D., MBA
Educational Consultant
Success in college looks different than in high school. Yes, students should still study hard and get good grades. But there is a more social aspect to college because there is an expectation that during the summer after high school graduation, students matured into responsible young adults. Here are some suggestions on how to meet that expectation and succeed in college.
University professors have an extremely large student load making it hard for them to really know every student. However, if a student makes an effort to get to know the Professor- it makes a huge difference. Professors typically have Office Hours. These are specific times when they are available to students. Students can drop by the office to ask questions about a class, inquire about their grades, or just chat. These interactions help a student figure out exactly what the professor wants in order to award a good grade. This is the time a student can understand a confusing class topic. More importantly, it shows the professor that the student is TRYING to do well. The effort exhibited is well worth it.
A phenomenal benefit that many college students don’t realize they have is the Career Development Office. This department offers free help to students and even graduates on finding a job! When you first start school, they can actually help you determine what major to pursue based on abilities and interests. They can help find part-time work while a student is still in school, create resumes, and practice for interviews. As a student approaches graduation, this office will connect you with companies that the school has formed partnerships with so the student can work in their chosen profession. These services will help students start their career on the right foot!
One of the best ways to secure employment after college is through an internship. If a company sees that a student is a good worker, they will want to offer them a job because they KNOW the student versus a stranger that just sends in a resume. Internships help a student gain experience for their resume as well as help them figure out if they are on the right career path. On the wrong path? No problem- change the path while still in college! Many internships are now paid too! Research internships as soon as college starts!
Another great experience to take advantage of in college is that most financial aid will cover an overseas educational experience. The time a student spends in another country could be as short as a week, but it is also possible to spend a semester, or even an entire year taking classes outside of the United States. If a student can do a semester abroad and it’s covered completely by financial aid- DO IT! These experiences include the opportunity to learn the language and the culture as well as just be a tourist in a different country. Students interested in working internationally will be able to see how other individuals live and work. This type of experience is vital so take advantage of it.
College is similar to high school in that hard work gets good grades. Through extracurricular activities, you develop as a person. But college is the last stop before entering the professional career world, so it’s important to take the steps necessary to learn the knowledge and skills to succeed professionally. Learn, reach out, gather all types of experiences, and know that there are many resources. All of these steps will put your student on the right path at graduation!