The Journey of A College Student

"Life is a journey and it's about growing and changing and coming to terms with who and what you are and loving who and what you are." 

- Kelly McGillis, American Actress  

Freshman Year- The Year of Exploration

As a freshman in college, you are exposed to a whole new environment that offers a lot more freedom and responsibility than you ever had before. The social comforts you once had, such as friends and family become distant.  However, this gives you a new opportunity to reinvent yourself, as you head down your educational career.

Within this new environment, you have to figure out how you will fit into the "ecosystem" of the college.

What role will you fill?

Are you going to join clubs on campus, and if so, do you plan to take on a leadership role? Or will you be an active member?

From an academic standpoint what interests you the most?

You'll start taking classes in your desired major and eventually determine whether or not this is the path you want to continue to peruse.

However, a better understanding of what your major is and what you might be doing won't come until the towards the ending of your Sophomore Year.


Sophomore Year- Understanding Your Major

So you made it through Freshman year? Phew!

By now you have a familiarity of how the college life works.  Most likely by now you have figured out what role you are playing within the "ecosystem" of the college.

The next step of the journey is understanding your major. As you progress throughout your classes you will start to get a better understanding of the opportunities are available within your field. Then it'll be time to start researching various career opportunities, usually starting with applying for internships.

What kind of internship are you looking for and what do you hope to get out of it?

What skills do you have that will make you stand out from other applicants?

By the time your Junior Year rolls around it will be time to start applying to internships.


Junior Year- Field Experience

So you landed your first internship! Great work!

But wait you just realized that through this internship that this field isn't something you want to pursue. Don't sweat it! This is perfectly normal, it is apart of the college students journey.

On campus there are tons of resources available that will help you find the right fit for you!

On the flipside, let's say that you absolutely love your internship, what do you do then?

Well you become the very best intern you can be.

This means be willing to take all opportunities that you are given.

After all you are there to learn and get hands on experience.

Maximize your time by branching out to as many relationships within your internship as possible. The larger your network is the more easier it will be to land a job in the future.

Constantly update your resume with new skills and abilities you acquire, so that way you are prepared for the final part of your undergraduate academic career.

Senior Year- Career Bound

It is amazing how time flies! Seems just like yesterday that you were a freshman trying to orientate yourself within the college "ecosystem".

At this point in your college journey you have to make an important decision about your future.

You may decide that you want to explore graduate school or go straight into your industry.

Either way you choose, the journey takes a similar path.

The biggest thing to consider is how are you going to market yourself to a potential employees or graduate schools.

This could be from industry experience you had while at a internship or any other relevant experiences that you might have.

Preparation is key  in these last few months.

Your cumulative experience at college has prepared you for the road ahead. Each part of the journey helping you grow into a more educated and well rounded individual.