Although college may prepare you for the corporate world, you can easily be confused about the right jobs to take up. Currently, there are 20 million college students in the United States, giving rise to intense competition in the job market. Therefore, if you’re interested in making things even easier for yourself, see what you can do immediately after college.
Find volunteer opportunities
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Did you know that more employers prefer college graduates with appreciable volunteerism experience? According to indeed.com, most employers are becoming selective in this regard because volunteer work indicates your commitment to work. What’s more, it shows character and a zeal to give back to society even when there’s little or no remuneration.
Understandably, fresh college graduates need a job to earn some money for their upkeep. However, sometimes, it’s better to look at the benefits in the long term rather than the short term, which is what volunteer work offers. You never know, sometimes the company you volunteer for can decide to take you on full-time.
Public service
It’s easy to find several public service organizations dotted across the United States. Although these organizations offer a minimal stipend, college graduates can acquire new skills relevant to their future careers. Additionally, you get to build a professional network that will prove useful in the long or short term. Usually, public service will focus on low-income areas either in the country or outside it. Wherever the location is, the point is to give off your best for the general good, and when the time is right, you will reap the desired results.
Take up a teaching job
Did you know that going into teaching no longer requires years of training to get into the field? You may join a non-profit organization that provides five weeks of training for qualified applicants to teach. The organization focuses on providing holistic education in deprived communities and bringing learners to par with academic standards. Therefore, as a college graduate, enrolling in the program and taking up Teach for America jobs is a great way to start a teaching career while getting paid for it. Perhaps, you will discover your passion for teaching and turn it into a lifetime profession.
Research Assistant
While you wait to get a real job on the job market, taking a college research assistant role would be worthwhile. Don’t be mistaken to think that this role is only relevant to the sciences. As a research assistant, you have the enviable opportunity to help professors and students research various study areas. As a word of caution, you can get accepted into another school as a research assistant if you:
- Have good grades.
- Good communication skills.
- Excellent references from professors and faculty staff.
In conclusion, several opportunities abound for college graduates looking for something to do immediately upon completion. Keep in mind that what you choose to do can be directly linked to what you studied in college or not. However, your main goal should be acquiring relevant skills and experience for the broader job market.
