According to an Inc. magazine blog from a year ago, researchers have found that 60 percent of people make New Year’s resolutions but only 8 percent stick with them. Make sure you are as prepared as possible for the job market by sticking with the following career-preparedness resolutions.
Get involved outside of lectures
Campus activities can help create a community away from home. Greek life, local grassroots organizations, and professional activities will not only boost your networking skills, but also look amazing on your resume after you graduate. Find local organizations who need volunteers or interns to develop your professional skills.
Honor your commitments
It’s easy to be enthusiastic about those clubs and organizations at the start of the semester. But what happens as the months wear on and your workload gets heavier? Be consistent in your meeting attendance and your commitment to those organizations you want to give your time to. This helps you polish your time management skills as you juggle your workload and outside commitments.
Start a part-time job
Another way to boost your resume is by obtaining a part-time job. (Bonus if it is related to your industry!) Though it may be tough to balance, students who work at least a few hours each week show strong initiative, work ethic, and the ability to learn new skills. There are even freelance opportunities that will give you the freedom to manage your own schedule throughout the week—another great exercise in time management.
Hold yourself financially accountable
Set a realistic budget for yourself each month and try to include savings as a line item. It is never too early to start avoiding debt and monitoring your credit score. Practicing good financial habits now will help when you are out in the “real world” and making a bigger paycheck.
Create a future plan
Graduation can be a scary time in a student’s life, but it’s much less intimidating with a little strategic planning. What do you want to achieve, both professionally and personally? Map out a plan to get there, breaking it up into short, medium, and long-term benchmarks. No matter where you are in your academic experience, plan goals you can realistically achieve in the next week, month, etc. Set deadlines for yourself—and stick with them!
Be an 8-percenter—stick with your resolutions and strengthen your preparations for entering the job market in the coming months.