Career Advice

Being an intern usually means two things: you’re the youngest person at the company and the lowest man on the totem pole. While this isn’t usually a bad thing, it does get more complicated when after-work events like happy hour start to pop up. If you’re not 21, you feel immediately excluded. And if you are 21 you’re still not 100% sure if you should go. It’s the ultimate #adulting challenge, and can result in major work faux pas if you’re not smart about it. However, happy hour or “grabbing drinks after work” can be a good opportunity to get to know your coworkers a little more personally, and also make a long-lasting impression.

When it comes to navigating career fairs and other on-campus recruiting events, students often receive the same set of advice – bring your resume, dress professionally, and be friendly. But how do you stand out among the crowd of your business-casual, resume-toting peers?

When thinking of the typical startup location, two things usually come to mind: a college dorm room, or Silicon Valley. Pop culture has ingrained in us the idea that innovation starts in a dorm room or a garage, and then moves on to Silicon Valley when it’s ready. The reality, though, is that innovative new businesses are popping up everywhere across the country and taking the startup stereotypes back from Silicon Valley.

Your internship is coming to a close and a new semester is on the horizon – you’re probably already thinking of being back on campus and how you’ll balance classes, clubs and a social life. But if you’re a junior or senior, you also might already be thinking of next year’s internship or job and how to get it.

Picture this: You’re nearing the end of your college career and you’re not sure which job would be the best fit for you. You’re smart and driven, and based on your previous experiences, you think you could do well in a variety of positions. Instead of boxing yourself into one role for a few years, why not apply for a rotational program?

Whether you dream of becoming a politician, principal or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, there’s no singular path to becoming a leader.

Congrats – your application and cover letter stood out enough to get you the interview. On top of preparing the answers to these common interview questions and figuring out an outfit, it’s important to do your due diligence on the company you’re hoping gives you an offer. While you can’t predict every question that will come your way, there are some key things you should know about a company before interviewing with them. Not only will this inform your answers and help you ask more intelligent questions, it can reduce the chance that you’ll be blindsided if the interviewer asks you about their mission statement.

The offer letter is signed, the tassel is turned, and the first day of a new internship or entry-level job is right around the corner. After years of hard work, all-nighters, and yes, a lot of fun, college is over and your career is starting. Along with excitement, you’re probably feeling a bit nervous and maybe even wondering if they picked the right person for the job. Before your first day, read through these quotes and remember you wouldn’t have gotten this far in the first place without a very specific person – you!

Having outstanding references is a key component of securing a full-time job offer. If a company takes the time to contact your references, there’s a good chance they’re pretty interested in hiring you. But if they’re deciding between you and another candidate, or they aren’t 100 percent sold on you yet, your references can make or break your chances.