By Jacquelyn Heidegger Hamilton, Coordinator Senior, Career and Professional Development Services
We know that career competencies are important to developing as professional, but did you know that you have likely already began developing your career readiness?
Have you ever collaborated on a group project in class or interacted with someone with a different identity or value from your own? Perhaps you have learned how to utilize a new piece of software to help you complete tasks for your part-time job. The more experiences we have “collected,” the greater the opportunity to develop our career competencies.
Here are some of the ways you can build your career readiness as a Sun Devil:
- Get an on-campus job or secure part-time work:
Part-time jobs are an excellent way to earn some spending money and grow as a professional at the same time. As an added bonus, gaining an on-campus job will provide you with a convenient commute and a supportive Sun Devil supervisor.
- Search for an internship
Internships provide real life experiences that are connected to your career interests. Paid or unpaid internships can help you explore if a job function, industry, or employer is right for you and can help you develop transferable skills in a professional environment.
- Study abroad
With a variety of study abroad programs to choose from, you can find an experience that fits your needs and offers the opportunity to gain global experience. You can even complete an internship while you study abroad!
Clubs, organizations, and professional associations offer you opportunities to connect with others outside of the classroom with a common interest, goal, or cause in mind. You can also join a committee to help with functioning of organization or obtain a leadership position to help guide other members.
- Volunteer and make your impact
Did you know you have something to gain by giving back? Whether you engage in regular volunteering and service-work, or engage in civic leadership or social entrepreneurship, dedicating your time and passion toward a cause can help you build skills while positively impacting your community.
- Engage in your classes and academic projects
It’s not enough to simply go to class. Ask questions, take your assignments and projects seriously, and engage in discussion with faculty and peers. Group projects simulate real-world work dynamics. Managing your time to meet deadlines is project management and cultivating this skill with aid in your work ethic and professionalism.
- Collaborate and network
Collaborate with fellow Sun Devils in your academic program and outside of it. Don’t forget to network with everyone you meet- from faculty, staff, peers and alumni to guest speakers, industry professionals, and employers recruiting on campus. We all have the opportunity to learn from each others’ experiences and expertise. Take advantage of every opportunity to take seriously someone else’s perspective and approach every encounter as a learning moment.
- Treat every experience as an opportunity to build skills
At ASU, we are Master Learners, equipped with the skills and ability to learn and grow in a variety of contexts. When you view an experience as an opportunity to grow as a professional, you will inevitably develop your career competencies.
Are you ready to focus on your career readiness? Stay tuned to get tips on how to build each career competency or watch our quick videos to help you get started.