You worked so hard to get into college; who could blame you if you don't want to make a beeline for the career services office from freshman orientation to plan your next move? Of course, you should enjoy the college experience in itself to its fullest. However, students need to be realistic and acknowledge that at some point, the experience of college will end. And, sadly, if you don't make it to the career services office before your senior year, you might find that the end of the college experience is the beginning of the unemployment experience. Don't let that happen to you!

The Career Services Office Can Help You Get Your Start in the Career of Your Choice

Used properly, your career services office is a powerful tool that will help you get more from your college experience while simultaneously preparing you for life beyond college. While you're still in school, one of the best things the career services office can do for you is help you find internships in your field that will make you a more attractive candidate to jobs and graduate schools.

I Don't Have a Career in Mind. Am I Excused from Going to the Career Services Office?

But what if you have no idea about what jobs you'll want to apply to after college, or whether or not you should go to graduate school? First, know that you are far from alone. Second, if this describes your situation, then you have all the more reason to show up at career services. Some career services offices have tests that you can take that might help you find a list of careers your talents are suited for. You can also make an appointment with one of the career counselors, and get them to help you determine which internships and career paths might be right for you.

Go to the Career Services Office Prepared for Your Meeting

While a career counselor can be extremely helpful to you, you need to help him or her help you. Realize that you might have 60 minutes with this person, or you might have 30. Even if you spent all day at your appointment, though, would that person be able to determine your every hope, dream, fear, like, and dislike as they relate to prospective employment? Probably not, right? As early in your college career as possible, do some soul searching. If you can't come up with particular jobs that interest you, take note of the subjects you gravitate toward, and ask your career counselor what someone with your interests could do for work. From there, you'll have made a great start.