If you were to write a biography about Hussain al Nowais at this point, these Junior Year finals would have their own chapter. I’m not going to lie. These exams were tough as I was taking some of the more advanced courses for my degree in finance. Plus, I’m going to one of the best business schools in the country (Wharton), so the bar is set really high.
I’m happy to report that even though I slept maybe 10 hours all week, I was able to get all A’s on my coursework for the semester. While I will probably take a week now just to relax, I have to be mindful of the fact that the summer before senior year is so important for my future job prospects. Here are several things college students must remember before they start their senior years:
Build Your Network Now: Before you know it, you’ll have your degree and be on the job search. According to most recruiting experts, 80% of all jobs founds are through networking opportunities. Therefore, it’s important to build your network now as you’re still in school. Your network should include family, friends, former colleagues, other students, professors, and others in your profession whom you have come into contact with. You never know where your first job will come from.
Build Your Resume Now: Recruiters will want to know what you did this summer. Even if you didn’t get that big internship, it doesn’t mean you should spend the entire summer catching up on Netflix or going to the beach every day. You can volunteer, get a summer job, or even travel to enrich your life experience. You would be surprised what would make you a more valuable candidate in the eyes of a recruiter. Just read a biography of some of the most successful businessmen, and there’s always some sort of an anomaly that led to their success.
Build a List of Potential Employers: Many major corporations have recruiting cycles, which means that they will only actively meet with new hire candidates at certain times. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make a list of potential companies that you would like to work for and make yourself more marketable in their eyes. Take a look at when they hire, who they hire, what they value in a candidate, etc.
As you enjoy your summer, remember that this is the time when you could really make a difference in raising your profile and improve your job prospects.