Destination Dream Job: Building a Roadmap

Are you spending some time dreaming about life post-grad amidst the swell of paper writing, deadlines, and midterms? Maybe you should consider mapping out your plans for your undergraduate getaway. Once you get the green light (in the form of a diploma), you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the ride to your dream job.

Prioritize Your Pit-stops

When planning for a trip, it’s important to start by plotting out your interests. In doing so, you will maximize your chances to explore the places you wish to go. This also applies to preparing for a job post-grad. Where do you see yourself thriving? Who do you wish to meet and work with? What environment do you want to work in? By asking yourself these questions, you are equipping yourself with a compass to aid you on your journey.

CAUTION- Construction Zone

Realize you have not yet reached your end point. In terms of a professional career, you are still building your skill sets. You still have so much to see and learn along the way to your destination. Connect with professors, students and friendly people you encounter on and around campus—you never know who will be able to offer you directions. Also, don’t be afraid to explore uncharted territory. Applying to internships and seeking out jobs that look intimidating might just lead to discovering some hidden treasures you didn’t know were available to you.

Expect Delays

Embrace the roadblocks that come with taking a journey. When you make a wrong turn, it gives time to reassess the direction you’re going. Not landing an internship, working in a job you don’t like or simply feeling lost all serve as opportunities to hone in on your strengths and identify your weaknesses.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien