As the new academic year approaches, it’s crucial to be purposeful about your career journey in the upcoming weeks. Students have very busy schedules, and dedicating time to your career development now will benefit you in the future. This is especially important if you’re a first-generation college student, as navigating the college environment and career development might present unique challenges. Here are five ways to prioritize your career journey this semester, with specific tips for first-generation students.

1.) Find the Career Services Office and Website

At UMass Lowell, the Career & Co-op Center is located on the 4th floor in Meehan Student Center, Suite 450. In our virtual career center, career.uml.edu, you will find a calendar of workshops, career fairs, and employers visiting campus. With so many exciting career development pieces happening each semester, we always encourage students to save the dates for anything they find exciting on Handshake.

For first-generation students, familiarizing yourself with the resources available through Career Services is crucial. You might not have the same level of career-related guidance at home as some of your peers, so take advantage of all the tools offered, such as learning about what you can do with your major, interview practice sessions, and career blogs like those on understanding and negotiating salaries.

2.) Attend Events on Campus

Career Services offers workshops geared towards preparing you for career fairs, and other career-related topics. There are also career fairs and networking events, including employer panelists who will share their professional experiences with you. These events are free to attend for all students, including first-generation students who might feel less confident about attending such events. Even if you aren’t sure if you’re ready, come anyway! There’s a lot to learn by attending both a career fair prep event and a career fair, and you’ll be surprised at how much you gain from these experiences.

As a first-generation student, these events are particularly valuable because they provide insights into professional expectations and help demystify one area of the career search process. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, even if they seem basic. Many other students likely have the same questions as you but may be too shy to ask.

3.) Talk to People on Campus

There are many faculty and staff members available every day to answer any questions that you have about your future. As a first-generation student, it’s important to build relationships with these individuals, as they can provide valuable guidance and support that you might not have access to outside of campus. Ask them about their professional journeys—they may even connect you with friends of theirs in your desired industry.

Engaging in these conversations will help you grow your network, which is especially important if you don’t have a built-in network through family or friends. These connections can be crucial when you are asking for a future recommendation letter or reference!

4.) Create Your Handshake and LinkedIn Profiles

Handshake and LinkedIn are commonly used, and powerful, professional networking tools and job search engines. When you first start putting together a profile on both of these platforms put aside 20 minutes each to set them up. For first-generation students, building a strong online presence is vital. You may not have been introduced to platforms like LinkedIn before college, but they are essential for networking and job searching in today’s market. By chipping away at these profiles weekly, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed later on when you’re also applying for internships, co-ops, or full-time jobs.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a first-generation student or not, taking charge of your career development early on is key to future success. By following these steps and leveraging the resources available to you at UMass Lowell, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong foundation for your career. Remember, the support and tools you need are all within reach—don’t hesitate to make the most of them!

Edited using OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (August 2024 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/