What Can You Do Every Year?

With Convocation happening this week, it gets us all to think about the time it will be our turn to walk across the stage and get our parchment. What do you plan on doing once you graduate? What industry would you like to work in, and how are you going to get there?  If you are able to answer this, that’s great! If not, you’ve come to the right place because this article will be sharing tips on what you can to every year to help you answer this question.

According to Katharine Brooks’ book, You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career, your past experiences act as agents for your career planning. Brooks reassures her readers that the Chaos Theory states that one degree does not translate to a set number of career paths, but that there are actually endless possibilities because each person’s experiences and interests are unique.

Not having a plan is perfectly okay, as long as you continue to network, volunteer, or gain more experiences to help you understand what your strengths and interests are. Here are a few tips:

• Volunteer
  Volunteering is a great way to connect with on and off campus communities, while gaining valuable practical skills. Be sure to check out the opportunities offered by SFU Volunteer Services.

• Network
  Join a professional organization or association to meet industry professionals and gain contacts within your area of interest.

• Co-op
  Based on a survey of 1,500 SFU co-op alumni, those who completed more work terms saw greater success in the job market after graduation. They felt more confident applying for jobs, found employment more quickly than non co-op students, and received a higher salary. Co-op gives you relevant work experience before you even graduate. For an infographic of the survey conducted, please click here.

• Career  
  When was the last time you revised your resume? If you ever need help, perhaps you should consider booking an appointment with SFU Career Services for one-on-one advising. While you’re there, be sure to check out their workshops, job postings, career fairs, and other employer events to help you prepare for your future.

• Career Exploration
  Your degree does not limit you to certain careers. Browse our What Can I Do with a Degree In…? page to learn about possible careers that you had not considered before.

Don’t wait until your last semester of university to figure out what you can do for your career. By doing one small thing each year, you are contributing to the big picture.

Lead image used under a creative commons license from Flikr user Smilygrl.