10 strategies for career success
by Wendy How,
Career & Attachment Office, NTU, Singapore
Early preparation is key to aid you in mastering your job applications. Before you know it, you will find yourself in the midst of searching for the best internship and applying to your ideal profession. Here are some strategies you could undertake early in your university life that can help you achieve career success..
1. Explore Who You Are
Confusion in deciding an industry or profession arises when you lack a clear understanding of your career interests and motivations. The key is in exploring what you like, what you are strong in, what you value and what motivates you in a career. Besides attempting career assessment tools, self-reflection on past experiences and talking to family and friends are some ways to help you clarify your skills, interests, competencies and weaknesses.
University is the best time in your life to engage in all sorts of new and exciting experiences. Seize opportunities to try out new activities to learn more about your like, dislikes, interests and strengths. You may discover new aspects of yourself or reaffirm what you already know.
3. Plan Your Experiences
It is an essential to be prudent with your time in university so plan ahead for the upcoming semesters and holidays. Scan and research the activities that can help you improve your skills and gain experiences. Such activities could be part-time jobs, CCAs, volunteer work, a new hobby or learning a new language. Identify time needed and requirements you need to fulfil i.e. additional credits load for semesters. By planning ahead, you get to curate the experiences more efficiently.
4. Star On Your Resume
Contrary to popular belief, resumes are not to be written starting in your final year. Instead, start draffing up your resume early, writing down on paper your experiences and skills to date. Listing your experiences early is beneficial for two reasons. Firstly, you can have it ready whenever you are applying for part-time jobs or early internships. Secondly, you gain better clarity into areas that you are good in or where you need to improve early on, providing you enough time to gain in necessary experineces.
5. Start Reading Up On Career Options
Beyond learning about yourself, take the time to read up and explore industries and career options offered. This will help you understand where are the areas and functions you can prepare for and apply to upon graduation. Talk to alumni mentors through the career office and attend various career talks and fairs to learn from professionals in the field and careers available in the industry.
6. Do Your Best In School
Relevant experiences aside, employers do view grades as an important consideration for any job applications. Grades not only highlight your technical knowledge, it also showcases your learning abilities and being disciplined (good work ethic). Having a good grade along with commendable volunteer, co curricular and work experiences provides you added advantages when appling for jobs.
7. Appreaciate Foreign Cultures And Languages
Globalisation has brought countries closer and it is common to work in companies with a wide diversity of employees. Appreciating diversity and working well with people from a wide range of backgrounds are important EQ skills that global companies are looking for. Open your mind and apply for overseas exchange and work/internship programmes if possible. University life is the time to travel and gain exciting new experiences. Additionally, try picking up a new language and expose yourself to new cultures. Understanding people and their cultures can have intangible results in the future.
8. Go For Work
Try out internships and part-time work during your holidays. Working provides you more than just extra cash; it gives you valuable exposure to the working world and helps you in building your contacts. Seek out jobs closely related to your areas of interests, familiarise yourself with the expectations of working and approach full-time staff of seek career advice.
9. Use Your Career Center
Find the career center which can help you to explore your career pathway. For example, Career & Attachment Office, NTU has a dedicated team to help you exploring your career pathway. Approach them to seek advice on:
- Identifying your career strengths, interests and motivations
- Exploring and choosing career options
- Charting out career directions and defining a career action plan
- Training and developing career skills
- Reviewing your job application skills and documents (resumes, cover letters, etc.)
- Refining your job interview skills
- Connecting you to prospective employers (internships, career fairs, recruitment talks, industry talks, etc.)
- Connecting you to alumni mentors
10. Make Friends
While participating in your various classes and activities, don't forget to take time to make new friends and connect with current friends. Your friends are invaluable as they provide you support during your job search and are the backbone to your network.
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