When it comes to getting a job, you want your application to stand out. There are so many people in your position all hoping for the same thing, so you need to know how to make your mark. To give yourself a bit of a boost, it’s always ideal to get involved with certain college activities. They’ll look great on your résumé and convince a potential employer to give you more attention than everyone else. What are the best activities to get involved with though?
Student Government Association
Employers want to hire people who they know can rise to the occasion. Someone that’s a natural leader is usually a perfect fit for the job, especially if they’re hiring for a position that has authority. That’s why it’s a great idea to get involved with the Student Government Association while you’re still in college.
Being part of this association allows you to be a leader on campus, meaning a lot of the college’s important decisions rests on your shoulders. That can be a lot of pressure, but employers are looking for people who can handle that responsibility.
Something Major related
If you want to set a good impression in your application, having college experience tied to the job is always a good way to go. How can you achieve that? The best way to do this is to see if any activities on campus bear some relevance to your Major. It’s almost certain that the subject your currently studying is what you eventually want to have a career in. So, if you find an extracurricular that’s related to your Major, it’ll probably also be linked to the future job you’re after as well.
The college paper
Journalism isn’t for everyone, but if you think you’ve got what it takes to break hard-hitting news, some time on your college’s newspaper should serve you well. It doesn’t matter if you’re not looking for a job as a journalist because there’s more to this activity than just writing articles.
Being part of a college paper shows that you can work as part of a team, and also that you have what it takes to get stuff done. It’ll put you in a stressful environment, but if you make it out the other side, employers will be impressed by your resilience. Plus, if you end up being promoted to the editor while you’re there, that certainly won’t hurt your eventual job application.
Anything that’s volunteering
Never underestimate how vital a role volunteering can play in scoring you a job. Not only does it display the other skills already mentioned here, but it also proves you’re motivated to work. When someone volunteers, they’re doing it because they’re passionate about making a difference, not because it’s expected of them. A lot of times, employers will rate someone who’s volunteered just as highly as someone with several years of relevant experience.
Your college years are the perfect time for you to have fun, but don’t let them go to waste. Be sure to busy yourself with some extracurricular activities – you’ll be grateful for it once you graduate!
