Building a career can feel like an overwhelming, long-term project, but you don’t have to figure everything out at once. College is one of the best times to ask questions, meet people in different fields, and get a feel for what you might want to do. Even small conversations or quick events can teach you something useful. Instead of waiting until your last semester, start exploring now. Ready to take action? Here are five resources to kickstart your search:
Talk with Professors
It’s easy to get so focused on assignments that you forget the person teaching them has a whole career behind them. A short conversation – a few minutes before class starts or after it ends – can give you insight into how they built their path, what the field looks like, and what opportunities you might not have considered. Professors are one of the most accessible career resources you already have, and learning about their experiences can open your eyes to more opportunities.
What Can I Do With This Major?
Whether you already know what you want to study or you’re still deciding, your major can open more doors than you might expect. What Can I Do With This Major? features information on common career paths, the skills you’ll build, and the types of employers who hire in your field. This resource saves you time by putting everything in one spot — an overview of the field, common job titles, and professional organizations you can join to get involved. Give it a look and see where your major could take you: https://necc.edu/academics/what-can-i-do-with-this-major/
Handshake
You don’t always know what you’re interested in until you see it, and careers are no different. If you have a general idea of what career you want to do but want to explore your options, Handshake is a great starting point. Every student gets a free account with their MyNECC login. Use it to browse jobs, find internships, attend free events, and access job application resources. Get started: www.necc.joinhandshake.com
Professional social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, LinkedIn is a helpful way to learn about companies and start building your professional network. Create an account and connect with classmates, professors, and people doing work you find interesting. Follow companies and topics you want to learn more about. Your account will grow with time – you don’t need 500+ connections when you’re starting! Focus on meaningful ones. Get started with a free account: https://www.linkedin.com/
Career Services
That’s us! Career Services at NECC offers individual meetings to support students in their career journeys. From exploring career options to preparing a new resume for a career change, we’re available to help students take their next step. Want to meet? Schedule through Navigate or email careerservices@necc.mass.edu with questions.
Scan the QR code to visit our Career Services website.
