College can give you a lot of things: massive debt, awesome parties, and maybe even a little bit of education along the way. But keep this in mind: colleges exist to make as much money as they can.
That means one thing for you: You’re on your own, in a lot of ways. Don’t expect colleges to find you a job, even if they imply they will. College placement rates have plummeted, and many colleges have resorted to recruiting more employable students, which makes you wonder what the purpose of college actually is!
But while you’re in school, there are a few things you’ve got to add to your college studies, if you want to be halfway employable. Here are three of the biggest.
1. Network, network, network
We can’t say it enough: the biggest value of college is, by far, the upwardly mobile people you’ll meet there. Build great friendships, and be as generous as you can, and college will pay off in one way or another, down the line. It may not always be financial.
2. Relax
Take a deep breath, smell the roses, and don’t get too wrapped up in the future. Enjoy the present moment, and remember how to do that.
The skill of enjoying the present moment is an introduction to the exercise called meditation, which will serve you well if you practice it throughout the rest of your life.
3. Real companies and experiences
If you want to get experience and true market-based learning about the current occupation or field you’re studying, take a look at companies nearby who are engaged in some aspect of that.
If it’s sports marketing you’re hoping to go into, go to the university athletic department, or even a high school athletics department, and ask how you might get some experience in the marketing of the sports. Often, they’ll let you help out, for no pay of course, but with the huge benefit of experience for future work.
If you’re interested in the business of marketing and the fundamentals of advertising, you can look online for companies that specialize in advertising online and offline, and get experience with professionals across the globe.
It’s not a bad idea to have offline experiences as well as online ones, in this increasingly digital world!
