See your school's career services/resources office to help guide you to a meaningful career!

When you first enter university or college, your first thought may not be of the career services/resources office, and who can blame you; your first few days, weeks, and even months can be overwhelming. Nonetheless, it is a great idea to get acquainted with the staff at your school’s career services or career resources office as soon as you can. The earlier you do, the earlier they can help you make choices that may affect which major you pursue, and ultimately which career path you follow. Your career services staff can help provide you with a meaningful link between your field of study and your future career path.

If you are like most students, you may not have a career in mind as you pass through the doors of your school for the first time. And as time goes on, you may have your sights set on graduate school, or pursuing professional certification of some sort.

There are students who are fortunate enough to be able to think of a career path during their tenure at their chosen school, and if you are among them that’s a good thing, but be cognizant of the fact that things may not turned out as planned. If you are aware of your strengths, interests and your options, all of which your school’s career counselors can help you identify, you will have a much easier time ensuring your plan comes to fruition, and creating a backup plan in case it doesn't.

Is your main plan to go to law school? Great, what if you can’t get in? Are you willing to re-locate to a school that will accept you? What if you do get in, and you are deeply unsatisfied with the nature of the work? This is why backup plans are good to have!

Typically, the career services/resource office of a university or college can provide the following services, and more:

• One on one career counseling sessions

• Interest assessments and feedback

• Prioritizing and clarifying your values

• Personality assessments and feedback

• Interviewing skills development and mock interviews

• Cover letter and resume preparation and review

• Assistance with identifying and securing internships

• Strategic job search and networking assistance

• Creating a well-branded online presence

Don’t be among the many students that are left wondering what they are going to do after they graduate; before you know it, graduation has arrived, only the plan hasn’t. Working with a career counselor could end up being a great decision for you.

Have you had a positive experience with the career services office of your school? Let everyone know by leaving a comment, or e-mailing us at info@academicinvest.com.