During their final years of study, young people often try to land an internship or work-study program to prepare them for their next career move . Having professional experience is a good thing, but you should also take advantage of this period to develop your network, make contacts, and prepare the ground for the future.
-Meet professionals
As a student, young people should take advantage of this period of their lives to learn about the specialties and professions that interest them. Therefore, it is important to take advantage of this period to meet professionals in these professions to learn about the tasks, missions and projects they are working on, possible career advancement, etc. Such information is very useful when deciding which job to choose later.
Meeting professionals can be done by leveraging the alumni network or LinkedIn. It's important to prepare for the meeting by drawing up a list of questions to ask to save time. Such an appointment can also be an opportunity to meet a mentor who will support the young person during their first years in the workforce.
-Interact with professors and tutorial leaders
Professors and tutorial instructors can be a source of information about different sectors of activity and the professions associated with them. They can also supervise the student for their dissertation. On the other hand, professors often have other professions outside of teaching and therefore can introduce the student to their contacts and acquaintances. In addition, they can advise and assist them in their search for an internship or work-study program. It is recommended to maintain contact with professors after graduation, as they can offer interesting opportunities and help the young person build their own network.
-Take advantage of external speakers
When the school or university organizes an event or conference with contributions from external participants, it's a good idea to participate. This can be an opportunity to connect with the speaker, who may be a researcher, a manager, or a business leader. It would be a good idea to attend a conference on a topic that interests the student. And at the end of the event, take the opportunity to meet the speakers, ask them questions, and seek advice if necessary. Why not join their network on LinkedIn, for example?
-Join a student association
Taking part in the activities of a school or university association is a way to demonstrate your involvement in student life. This could be the Student Union, a sports or charity association, etc. It's an opportunity to develop contacts and expand your network. Contributing to a fundraiser, organizing an event, or other activity demonstrates your enterprising and active spirit, rather than being perceived as just another student waiting to finish their studies. Such experience will enhance the student's CV and will be a relevant topic to present during a job interview.
-Follow additional training
Students can take advantage of this period of their student life to learn or perfect a subject they are passionate about. They have the opportunity to take courses outside of their studies by taking advantage of MOOCs and online training. They can choose a discipline different from what they are studying, a language, a programming language, or something else. They can opt for a paid course, or a free course offered by one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It would even be possible to supplement such courses with intensive internships or immersion training.
-Follow the news of the desired sector or profession
It's very important to keep up with current events in a sector or profession that interests the student. There are magazines, specialized websites, and podcasts that cover different fields and specialties. This is an opportunity to stay up-to-date and refresh your knowledge. It's also a way to project yourself into the field before completing your studies.
-Create a blog or join a media outlet
This is an opportunity to share ideas on a particular topic such as culture, finance, the environment, health and well-being, personal development, etc. By contributing to the preparation and writing of articles on such topics, the student will develop their knowledge and writing skills at the same time.
These are some ideas that will allow young people to fully enjoy their student life, better shape their personality, and at the same time enrich this period of study. Such tips will project a positive image to future recruiters, while also enhancing their CV. It's also a way to have topics to discuss during job interviews. In addition, it's a chance to gain confidence, develop new skills, and be more professional.
