Students blog

At some point, all college students find their focus shifting from their studies to the job search. This is true whether you are a fourth-year student looking for a full-time role or a second-year student seeking a summer internship.

I completed three summer internships in finance and returned to my junior summer internship for a full-time role after graduation. Based on these experiences, I have some guidance and tips to help you land your dream job.

Create Your Story

To stand out in applications and interviews, you must tell a fluid, authentic story about yourself, your experiences, and your motivations. The easiest way for interviewers to move on from you is if they do not believe you want the job.

Your resume is the first step. It should outline all relevant past experiences, professional and otherwise, that build your credibility for the role.

Then, you need to have a two- to three-minute “Tell me about yourself” answer prepared that tells your story. Where are you from? How did your experiences lead you here, and why are you interviewing for this job specifically? It should be concise, fluid, and transparent. Let them know who you are!

Research and Networking

The next step in standing out is doing thorough research and networking with professionals. I will admit that there are some jobs you can get by just submitting a resume and a cover letter. However, with the ease of online applications today, recruiters often want to put a face and persona to the resume as well.

For every job you apply for, research the company and what it does. This knowledge will demonstrate your effort and preparation before you even set foot in the interview room.

The next step is networking. After researching the role and the company, go to LinkedIn. Look at who works at the company, see if there are any alumni from your school or other connections, and send cold emails.

It’s daunting but effective. Ask to grab coffee or hop on the phone to learn more about their role and their experience. One connection may be all it takes to get that first interview.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The final step to conquering your job search is practice, practice, and then practice some more. No matter how good we think we are at interviewing or talking to professionals, we can always get better.

Practice your elevator pitch, practice your resume walkthrough, and even practice questions that you can ask them. Bonus points if you can practice with a friend who will be honest with you about your language, etiquette, and professionalism. Not only will this improve your interviewing skills, but it will also make you less nervous when the time comes.

No matter what kind of job you’re applying for, following these steps and being thorough in your search and preparation can help you conquer your job search and set yourself up for career success. Know yourself, connect with others, and practice your interviewing skills to land that perfect role.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

Second semester is upon us, and unfortunately so is the cold. Some people may love the cold, but for me this often means staying inside my room locked away from the frigid weather and the rest of college. While it is nice to cuddle up with a movie every now and then, too much time in the dorm room can lead to inevitable loneliness and what many of us call “winter depression.” So here are a few ways I motivate myself to get out even when its unbearably cold!

Workout Classes

Now you could throw on some gloves and a hat and go for a run outside, but I personally cannot do exercise in the icy cold. Therefore, to stay active in the winter I love going to different workout and exercise classes! Whether I go to a nearby yoga class or a spin class in my school’s gym, working out with others always gets my spirits up. I also highly encourage getting a buddy to go with you and make the group class that much more fun!

Trying New Food

My favorite thing during the season of cold weather is sitting down with a warm bowl of soup or plate of delicious pasta. One thing that always makes everyone happy is food! Either by going with friends to a new restaurant or simply trying a new dish at your dining hall, getting out of your room to try new types of food will always reduce any type of “winter depression” that may come your way.

Find a Study Spot

I usually do all my work in my room, but when it gets to wintertime, I like to try and find a new place to study on campus to keep myself from procrastinating and crawling into my bed. There is always the library on campus, but I encourage you all to find a new study spot that might lift your spirits rather than depress them. It could be a nearby coffee shop, a random couch in the student center, or even a table at the dining hall!

While the winter months may make you want to hide under a blanket, taking minor actions such as these can help combat feelings of loneliness. Stay connected to your community and Spring Break will be here before you know it!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

This past summer I worked as an intern in New York City, and it was a whirlwind of fun and chaos all at once. Moving to a big and hustling city like this was extremely exciting but was also very unsettling to be in a new place without any familiarity. I was fortunate enough to have a lot of friends from home and from college also living in NYC for the summer, so I was able to explore, try different restaurants, and walk around new areas as much as have time outside of work. For anyone that is moving to a new city for the summer or even for full-time, here are three tips to help you adjust to an exciting and fast lifestyle.

Get to know your coworkers.

While this might go unsaid, it is really important to make an effort at work both tangibly and socially. You may not think that your fellow interns or even supervisors would ever be the same people you see on the weekends – but you would be surprised. It is always nice to have a familiar face in the office, and around a big city. One of the most routine events on a Thursday afternoon is office happy hour, and you want to be a part of it! Becoming close with your coworkers can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying your time in and out of the office, especially if you do not know many people.

Sign up for classes.

I am sure everyone has some kind of hobby or activity they have wanted to pick up and the amazing thing about cities, is that they have pretty much any kind of class you can think of. Since being here this summer, I have gone to cycling, boxing, Pilates, and barre classes around NYC. While exercise is undoubtedly great for your health and lifestyle, attending classes is a great way to make new friends or even bond with a friend you are looking to spend more time with. If you happen to hate workout classes, look for group-style classes in cooking, pottery, yoga, minigolf and even jewelry-making. Even if you only try one a month, you never know what you might learn to love or who you might meet!

Walk around, especially without a destination.

I know this sounds cliché, but the best adventures around a city usually come as a surprise. The great thing about a place like New York City, is it is walkable and full of different stores, restaurants, and events in every nook and cranny. When I had a free day or a free afternoon, I always tried to grab a friend and go for a walk around a new area of the city. We could catch up and do some sightseeing. Often, this ended up with us walking into small and unique thrift stores or trying a new restaurant with the most delicious sounding appetizers. It turned out to be a great way to get familiar with a new place, spend quality time with my friends, and discover new types of foods and experiences.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!