Gaining Experience to Achieve Your Career Goals

Gaining experience is one of the most crucial ways you can work toward your goal of finding a position you're passionate about. However, finding these opportunities can be challenging, especially for students that may not be exposed to different tips, such as maximizing connections, volunteering, finding passions, and capitalizing on resources. Here are three tips to help you achieve your co-op and career goals.

Connect With Others

Networking throughout university is an amazing way to create lifelong connections that may lead to opportunities and experiences that many employers search for. By using tools like LinkedIn or Twitter, you can maximize these connections. You can reach out to mentors to ask questions or meet up for information sessions. AS I was scrolling through LinkedIn recently, I recognized someone I had met during my time volunteering. I sent a message to them, asking if there were any openings at their organization that would utilize my communication and marketing skills. And guess what? They did! By simply connecting through LinkedIn, I landed an opportunity to work in my desired field and gain relevant experience, which helped me obtain my first co-op job offer.

Get Out There

Volunteering is another enriching way that students can gain relevant experience. By being involved in the community and volunteering for non-profits, you can build your portfolio with just a few hours of work per week. Using job boards, such as SFU myExperience or Meaningful Work, you can find engaging opportunities that can enhance your experiences, skills, and resume. Throughout the community, many non-profits search for volunteers, and these experiences can help you stand out in today's competitive business world. Volunteering also helps you gain connections that may help in finding future positions as well providing meaningful and rewarding services to the community.

Find Passions and Resources

Finding personal passions is a simple way that can help you receive experience in areas you are actually interested in. If you find areas of work that relate to your passions, you'll be able to find a multitude of interesting opportunities. By following my passion in searching for work, I secured a position that made my work so much more enjoyable. I began working as a sports article writer for a social media company and by combining my enthusiasm for sports with my writing skills I'd been refining at SFU, I gained valuable experience and published articles, all of which bolstered my portfolio. SFU students have access to a wide variety of sources, and there are many career experts who are here to help you find work that mirrors your passions. There are also multiple workshops students can register for that are facilitated by the Career Educators at SFU's Career and Volunteer Services. Always look out for newsletters in your inbox and follow SFU social media channels for upcoming opportunities.

By following these tips, finding work in a field you're interested in will become a reality. Remember to stay motivated as you journey through the process of looking for jobs. I hope these three tips will help you go a long way in your career, leading you to a successful future.