Earning a college degree is not only a great accomplishment, but it also gives you a huge advantage in the labor market by qualifying you for opportunities only available to those with this credential. A college degree increases your earning potential, enabling you to earn substantially more income than someone with a high school diploma. If you're a recent college grad, the following three tips can help you make the most of your degree.
Update Your Application Materials
One of the most important steps you should take after earning your college degree is to update your resume and cover letter. Put your degree information on your resume, and replace old skills and work experiences with the new ones you acquired in college. Make sure the skills and experiences you list are relevant to your career field. For example, if you just earned a bachelor's degree in engineering, there's no need to waste valuable resume space by listing your high school job at Dairy Queen. Instead, list information about your engineering-related internships or volunteer work.
In your cover letter, explain how your college degree makes you more qualified for a job in your career field. Discuss the industry-related associations you joined and the work you did in support of those organizations. Also, explain how the university you attended helped you develop into a professional who's ready for the workforce.
Explore New Career Opportunities
Don't be afraid to research a variety of careers after earning your degree; you might be surprised about all the different things you're now eligible to do. For instance, with a bachelor's degree in nursing, you can work as a mental health nurse at a psychiatric hospital, a school nurse at any K-12 school, a home health nurse or even a traveling nurse on a cruise ship. With a degree in biology, you can become a biology teacher, physician's associate, medical research scientist or nature conservation officer. Find out about all of your career options, and then do your best to explore them by volunteering or getting a temporary or part-time job in your areas of interest.
Network Continuously
Landing your dream job takes work and a little bit of luck. Part of that luck comes from knowing the right people, so it's essential to network continuously after earning your college degree. Even if you're already a member of a few industry-related organizations, it won't hurt to join one or two more. Attend as many industry events as possible, and let the new people you meet know you're a recent college graduate. Don't be afraid to share your goals with those you meet since you never know what new leads or information they can provide. It's also a good idea to stay connected with the influential people you met in college, including professors, career counselors or field experts.
It's not enough to simply earn a college degree if you want to land your dream job. Make your college degree count by creating a solid career network and connecting with influential people who can help you achieve your goals. Also, get your resume and other application materials ready, since you never know when someone will request a copy.
Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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