If your college experience is anything like mine was, you may feel like you’re being torn in a thousand different directions, with class pressures, social pressures, and the stress of landing an internship, and eventually, the perfect job.
I’ll admit it. For much of my undergraduate career, I felt as if I had no idea what I was doing. The expression “fake it ‘til you make it” could not have been a more accurate description of my life.
But, as a recent graduate of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I’m here to tell you IT’S OKAY to feel like this.
Our industry is unique. Many employers in marketing, communications, and advertising care more about practical experience (i.e. internships or other hands-on work) than they do about having a specific degree. But, this is probably not news to you. (I think I heard how important getting an internship was about 20 times per week.)
However, early on in my collegiate career, I had no practical experience. It seemed like a catch-22. Most internships required relevant experience, but how do you get experience if no one gives you a chance?
The good news is that UW and many other colleges offer a ton of opportunities that can help you get practical experience. Here are 5 actionable ways to set yourself up for success, so when it comes time to apply for internships (and eventually a career), you’ll be prepared.
1. Get to know your professors, TAs, and advisors.
No, I don’t mean you should become besties with the professor of your 400-person lecture. But take every opportunity to get to know the faculty at your school. Ultimately, I was able to land a job out of college because the professor of my senior capstone class referred me for a position.
2. Join a club or organization that applies to your area of study.
This is an easy way to show you are passionate about your field. Many clubs may even offer opportunities to gain hands-on experience. For example, I was a member of Ad Club in college. An offshoot of this club was a mini creative agency that adopted a local business each semester, and I worked with other students to research, brainstorm, and execute a creative campaign for this company. No previous experience was required to join, and I was able to add a few lines to my resume once the project was over. (Shameless plug: Ad 2 Madison LOVES students!)
3. Join a club or organization that has NOTHING to do with your area of study.
This may seem like weird advice, but joining a club or organization outside my comfort zone is something I wish I had done in college. Every life experience comes with measurable takeaways. Expanding your knowledge outside the norm could lead to cool stories, new friends, and a different outlook on life (which could help fuel future networking or interview conversations).
4. Look for opportunities to gain interview experience.
Let’s say you finally have an interview for that perfect internship, or an awesome post-grad job. You know you’re a great fit for the role and feel confident you could get this job. But, the interviewer hasn’t had his coffee today and throws some real zingers at you. You freeze up, your face goes red… #interviewbombed.
This won’t happen if you walk into the interview feeling prepared. Before you have an opportunity to interview for your dream job, find ways to practice: apply and interview for jobs you aren’t necessarily interested in, ask a friend to run through some questions with you, or see if a job coach at your college would do a mock interview. Any experience you have will leave you feeling that much more prepared.
5. Be open-minded.
If an opportunity arises that may not seem like a perfect fit, give it a chance. For example, if you get the opportunity to write for a school newspaper, but you’re more interested in advertising, don’t immediately turn down the opportunity. You’ll improve your written communication skills, gain real-life office experience, and, hey, maybe you’ll realize you have a knack for writing.
So, there you have it. If you take anything from this post, know you are not alone. There’s an incredible amount of pressure that comes with being a student, but there are ways to proactively set yourself up for success. And, trust me, it’ll all come together in the end!
