Our guest blogger for this post is Elizabeth Walker, Career Advisor with HPU’s Career and Internship Services.
At High Point University you will discover that the decision to pursue a particular career path involves reflecting about your experiences, emotions, and motivations. You’ll encounter opportunities to expand your “own intellectual, spiritual, and social horizons” and discover the work that you find meaningful (103). Take advantage of the opportunities that arise, whether that means studying abroad, conducting research with a faculty member, or participating in community service. Exploring different avenues will help you investigate your interests, values, and skills and contemplate your future. As Dr. Nido Qubein said, “what if you could be anything or anybody you chose to be? Think about it. What would you choose to be?”
As you begin exploring your passion and how that fits into the world of work, you have the support of the Career and Internship Services team. We have a four-year plan to guide you as you matriculate through the university. The four-year plan provides an outline of the tasks you should accomplish each year. In your first year, focus on exploring possibilities. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to take and discuss career self-assessments. Talk with your career advisor about job shadowing and internship opportunities. Participate in campus and community activities. The more involved you become, the more opportunities you will have to explore what excites and motivates you. While participating in different opportunities, reflect about what you find important and what interests you.
Your first year is also a great time to develop or polish your resume. Part of the career exploration process involves talking with professionals and gaining experience in different fields of interest. Professionals you contact for opportunities to conduct informational interviews, job shadow, or intern, will want to see your accomplishments. Be prepared to show them a well-developed resume that describes your background and skills. Use our resume guide and sample resumes to get started. Then meet with a career advisor for a resume review. Your resume is an invaluable tool that can lead to opportunities to explore a variety of career paths and occupations.
As you explore your options, remember to keep an open mind about your future. In today’s shifting career landscape where jobs change and new and previously unheard of jobs arise, the most marketable skills you can develop are the skills that contribute to your success in any career. As Wes Moore states, “the greatest tools we have are portable: our minds, our hearts, our hands” (123). Today’s employers know that careers are changing and developing in new ways, and thus want employees who possess abilities that are valuable to any position. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the top ten abilities that employers look for in candidates include verbal communication, analytical, problem-solving and team-work skills. These skills are beneficial no matter what career you pursue. At HPU you will have the opportunity to develop these skills through your coursework and experiential learning activities. You also will have the opportunity to collaborate with your career advisor to determine how to articulate the skill-set you gained. Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities and resources you have as a student. There is no better time to reflect about who you hope to become and how you hope to impact the world.
What are some of the options you are considering for your future careers and what led to your interest in those careers? What experiences, clubs, or opportunities do you hope to pursue while at HPU to help you explore career possibilities?