Student Graduating College Goals
People often look down on students, thinking they’re nothing but a bunch of kids who only care about going out and having fun. But with the social, political, and economical issues that our society faces today, our students hold the key to our future. Naturally, being a student, this can be a lot of pressure, especially when you’re only one step away from graduating college and entering the competitive world. This is why it’s important to pursue a few short-term goals and long-term goals to prepare yourself for what may come career-wise.
10 Achievable Goals Graduating College Students Should Have
Whether you’re an upcoming freshman in the fall or graduating from college in a few months, it’s never too late to start setting a few professional goals and personal goals to help kick off your career before you enter the real world. While college is a time of bliss and fun, if you don’t want to end up living on your parents’ couch for a couple of years, you might as well see this as a time to give yourself some leverage.
To create a path for yourself, you need to have a set of well-defined smart goals in place. Listed below are some examples of academic goals that every graduating college student should consider.
1. Complete an Internship or Find a Good Job.
When you’re a college student, not only do you need to worry about the career path to take, but you also have to think about settling your college loan. This is why most individuals take part time jobs and internships to earn money and gain experience. Even if it’s an unpaid internship, the learning experience is something that future employers will take into consideration. You can pick up any possible job there is, just as long as it does not interfere with your studies. This will help you develop a good level of responsibility, which can come in handy in the near future. You may also see team goals.
2. Start Creating Multiple Resumes.
If you have the time to spare between classes, it wouldn’t hurt to spend some time at the library to create your own resume. But we’re not just talking about your traditional type of printed resumes, as there are many ways to set yourself apart from other applicants by simply making your resume unique and memorable enough for hiring managers to take notice. You may also see leadership goals.
The best way to grab an employer’s attention is to be innovative with your resume. A hard-copy resume may come in handy at times, but having an online resume, a video resume or a blog can give you that extra edge in the competitive industry. Here, you can make a compilation of tabs that present your skills and capabilities. You can be as creative as you want with how you design your resume, just as long as you keep your message clear enough for employers to grasp. You may also see performance goals.
3. Learn to Budget.
There are many reasons why it’s good stick to a tight budget when you’re in college.
For one, education can be extremely expensive, even for community colleges. You have to pay for books, projects, and other college fees. With that in mind, you may want to avoid getting a credit card without proper knowledge. Some college students end up graduating with huge debts in their credit due to poor budgeting and overspending. You may also investment goals.
The extra money you save will be useful when you graduate college as well. You could use it as a down payment for your own apartment, as an investment to start a business or to travel to places you’ve always wanted to go. But keep in mind that budgeting can be difficult, especially when it’s in our nature to spend more than we initially planned for. So instead, it would be best to take pocket-friendly alternatives to help cut down your spending. For example, you could study at your campus library instead of a coffee shop. You can also look for cheaper (and maybe healthier) dining places rather than restaurants and fast-food chains. You may also goals for a better life
4. Develop a Social Network.
Forget about meeting people on Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat. When we talk about building a social network, it’s about creating connections. Learn to reach out to family members, friends, professors, mentors, bosses, and colleagues to help you build a foundation for your career. Networking can help you snag a job almost immediately, without having to put too much effort into it. It’s about getting the good word in with what you have to offer, as referrals are something hiring managers like to review. You may also job goals.
5. Consider Studying Abroad.
While this is completely optional, this is a great opportunity that you should take into consideration. A lot of people like to further their studies by studying abroad. Fortunately, there are many programs that offer such, where financial aid is also given to keep students on their feet. This gives you the chance to travel, meet new people, and learn cultures and traditions practiced by individuals from different parts of the world. It’s a great topic to discuss with employers as well. Your experience abroad will help you grow as an individual, both professionally and personally. You may also personal goals.
6. Get into the School Spirit.
Working the 9-5 shift everyday can turn into a boring routine. You’ll start to miss all the free time you had as a student, not to mention the exciting activities that came along with it.
Football games, mixers, and school dances are just some of the most popular college events you wouldn’t want to miss. Although getting lost in a crowd of people isn’t your idea of fun, there’s no harm in giving it a try for the experience. Why not try out for the cheer team? Or audition as the school mascot? If joining the pep squad isn’t your cup of tea, attending “school pride” events can still be fun. As ridiculous as it sounds, people enjoy getting into the school spirit to relieve themselves from whatever is stressing them out at the moment. You may also educational goals.
7. Participate in After-School Clubs and Activities.
During your freshmen year of college, you’re bound to come across numerous fraternities, sororities, and clubs that are looking for new recruits. Although this is something of preference, these organizations can actually help make college a bit more bearable. As mentioned before, joining an organization is the perfect way to build a social network. You get to meet a variety of individuals with different majors and social backgrounds. However, be sure to join these organizations with nothing but good intentions. Remember, the things you accomplish before graduating college will serve as your stepping stones toward a successful career. You may also see department goals.
8. Befriend Professors.
Not saying you should turn yourself into a teacher’s pet, but it wouldn’t hurt to get to know your professors a little more. Professors have so much experience, wisdom, and advice that they could share with you. They know how brutal the real world can be, and this is definitely something you could learn from. Try to spark up conversations after class about the classes, projects, and internships you have going on. You may even discuss some student goals you’ve been striving to accomplish. Who knows, if they see your potential, they may introduce you to future employers or make personal recommendations in your favor. You may also see short-term goals.
9. Earn Credentials.
Credentials can be useful when you start applying for a job you’ve always wanted. It shows how capable and suitable you are for a given job role, giving you that extra boost in the eyes of hiring managers. To find out what credentials are valuable to your field, try asking employers, professors, and career counselors. If you have the resources for it, you may even enroll in other college classes to earn additional credit. Keep in mind that life is an endless learning experience so setting learning goals should also be a priority.
10. Master another language.
College students who study abroad, specifically in an area that speaks an entirely different language, may already have this part covered. But for those who may be interested to learn a second language, don’t hesitate to do so. Graduates who master two or more languages are likely to stand out more in the industry. For example, if you’re fluent in Japanese and decide to apply in a Japanese-owned company, you already have an advantage against other applicants. This helps break down language barriers that make it hard for a diverse group of employees to communicate clearly with one another. You may also see mentoring goals.
Why Should You Set Goals?
These days, many people like to keep a “come what may” type of attitude due to how unpredictable life can be. People who plan things out set expectations, but expectations can often lead to disappointments, which is why most people would rather sleepwalk through life with no clear direction of where they’re headed. But people who fail to recognize the importance of goals are also the same type of people who end up missing out on significant opportunities. This is because they are unable to weigh down their options carefully. In fact, after graduation, a high percentage of students end up feeling lost and confused in the real world. You may also see long-term goals
Some of the most inspirational stories of success all come from individuals who possess life goals. Think about how athletes prepare for the Olympics. They spend years of training to make the cut, and another couple of months to train for the actual event. These are the people who sacrifice a lot just to reach their goals. Why? Because these people know that a dream will only remain a dream until you do something about it. You can spend your whole life hoping for something, but that may never come unless you learn to act upon it.
Additionally, goal-setting allows you to clear your mind and focus on the bigger picture. A goal is meant to be your roadmap towards success, not something you think about and forget a while later. If you’re determined enough to accomplish your goals, then you will look at these goals with your chin held high. You’ll learn to work through shortcomings, be patient with time, and stay committed to the desired outcomes. You may also see annual goals.
Thinking about what the future holds can be terrifying yet exciting at the same time. You never know what’s in store for you, or if everything you’ve ever worked for would be worth it by the very end of your journey. But there’s something about goal-setting that leaves you with a clear state of mind. Although there’s no assurance that everything will work out exactly how you want them to, it’s good to have something that will keep you motivated through thick and thin. You may also see employee goals.
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