SophoMORE September: Preparing for Success
Baylor sophomores have many ways to prepare for postgraduate success. It is important for students to begin planning for a career or graduate school as early as possible, and the Baylor Career Center is equipped to help sophomores get that jump start.
Here are four ways sophomores should be getting ahead:
1. Meet with a Career Success Professional
Each Career Success Professional (CSP) is assigned to a different college; therefore, they have extensive knowledge about the best employers, jobs and graduate schools for students in that college. Meetings with CSP's are tailored to each student's needs.
"Meeting with a CSP is invaluable," CSP Lexi English said. "You can learn so many things to help you think about what you can do, ways to reach your goals, how to articulate your experience and much more."
2. Be active in Handshake
Handshake is a career network and recruiting platform for college students and young alumni. Students use their Baylor Bear ID login and password to access their account and begin building their profile.
"The more active the handshake profile is, the higher the chances you can get contacted by recruiters," Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, Career Center marketing communications coordinator, said.
"Recruiters are looking for people who are serious about finding opportunities and who want to learn more about their organization," English said.
3. Get internships
Internship experience is essential, and sophomore year is the time to get started. The Career Center and Handshake are two resources that help connect students to internship opportunities.
"Students who have internships have a much higher rate of having a full-time job by graduation," Cefaratti-Bertin said.4. Work on your résumé
Having a strong résumé sets a student apart. Here are some ways students can work on their résumés:
- Review it during a meeting with a CSP
- Attend Café Résumé, a résumé-review event for students
- Use the résumé template found in Handshake resources
- Tailor the résumé for the position
- Leave high school experiences behind
Sophomores should also get involved around campus, building relationships with professors and organization leaders, using the resources on the Career Center website and attending Career Center events.
In conjunction with SophoMORE September, the Career Center will host a series of one-hour informative career-planning sessions each Wednesday evening in September. Topics will include tips to get the most out of Handshake (the Career Center's top resource), the value of internships, networking ideas and Career Day preparation.
The series is a great way for students to take ownership of their professional plans and follow their calling after graduation. Sessions will be held at 5 p.m. in Draper Auditorium and are open to all students with a special emphasis for sophomores. More information and registration can be found on Handshake.
Sept. 1: How to Use Handshake
Sept. 8: Ins and Outs of Internships
Sept. 15: Networking Know-How
Cefaratti-Bertin said the earlier students start taking these steps toward their future, the better.
"Don't put it off until the last minute," she said. "You have these amazing resources, so take it off a little bit at a time. By the time you graduate and go out to the world, you will feel confident."