So you’ve finally decided on pursuing a business degree. That’s great! A business degree is one of the most useful, sought-after degrees out there. Almost every part of our society involves business in one way or another. On average, a professional with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, gets paid $61,000/year. However, a BA in Business Administration (or any other business degree for that matter) isn’t a guarantee that you’re going to have a secure high-paying job once you graduate.
Now that you’ve chosen your career path, there are a few more things you can do to ensure your spot in the business world. Here are 4 tips to help you get your dream job and use your college experience to the fullest.
- Take part in school clubs
We’re not suggesting that you join every club that exists on your college campus. Just join the clubs that pertain to your degree. If you’re pursuing any kind of business degree (finance, human resources, marketing, business administration, etc.), join club(s) that correlate with that major and interest you. Usually, clubs like this hold private networking luncheons, case competitions, and business workshops to help fine-tune your business skills. These events open many doors that would not normally be available to you without membership in the club.
- Follow your school on social media
This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but following your school on social platforms can be vital, especially if you’re attending an online university. Most colleges and universities are fairly active on LinkedIn and Facebook. Some also post regularly on Instagram and Twitter. By connecting with your school on social media, you also connect with your school’s alumni who are already in the workforce. This gives you an easy way to network with industry leaders with the perfect icebreaker – You went to the same school!
- Develop a good relationship with professors
Apart from teaching you important skills to help give you a leg-up in your industry, professors are also great mentors to help prepare you for the future. Take some time to build healthy, professional relationships with your professors. They will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about life and work that you don’t always get during their lectures. Your professors also have connections outside of the classroom that can be beneficial for you. Your first job out of college could very well come because one of your professors helped line it up.
- Reach out to industry leaders
Reaching out to industry leaders sounds simple but 9 out of 10 college students won’t do it. Write a letter, preferably hand-written or typed, to an industry leader that currently has your dream job. Many CEO’s and executives are very willing to help college students searching for advice. Be personable yet professional when writing your letter. Let them know that you’re a college student studying [insert major] and that you would love to sit down with them to gain more knowledge about the industry. The majority of the time you will get a positive response accepting your invitation, or at least setting up a time for a telephone call.
Put in the work, and you will reap the rewards
Following these tips will help you get more experience and become better connected. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by including these things in your efforts during your college years. Don’t wait to get ahead in your career until after you’ve graduated. Start now by joining clubs, networking on social media, building valuable relationships with your professors, and reaching out to industry leaders. Following these tips will help you on your way to becoming a successful businessperson.
