Planning your Career: University Degree V2.0

William C. Murray  //  March 15, 2013

Being prepared to take advantage of opportunities in your desired field and leverage your education is incredibly important. The reality is that graduating with a university degree today has become table stakes for many jobs. ‘Table stakes’ is a gambling term that refers to the minimum amount you need to bring to the game in order to play.

A degree is becoming common in the current workplace. In 2010, there were over 1.2 million students registered in degree programs just in Canada[1] and the interest in going to university is at decade-high numbers, with provinces like Ontario processing close to 416,000 high school applications[2] right now for the fall of 2013. The herd is getting bigger and competition for great jobs is intense.

The saying that ‘life changes after graduation’ has some truth to it. No more classes, studying for exams, writing papers. No more pencil, books or teacher’s dirty looks. However, what you have done before graduation is a direct reflection on what people will think you are capable of and willing to do after graduation. Believing that the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour, there are actions that you can take to better position yourself to get on the path to your desired career.

You have a degree. And?

Unless you’re planning to go off to grad school, your completed degree, not your GPA, becomes your ticket to ride. (Pretty sure I just broke a cardinal ‘teacher’ rule by saying that…). Obviously, you need to have knowledge and skills in your particular area and this will be revealed pretty fast on the job. Those employers assessing their staff in high performing jobs bring an intensity that will make your professors seem very warm and fuzzy.

To prepare to slide into your dream career, you need a ‘Degree v2.0’ – education plus. What is the plus? Let’s take a look.

Go beyond your classes

Tens of thousands of people graduate each year, all holding shiny new degrees. You want to be the person standing out from that crowd. Work experience, volunteer activities, clubs and societies all add depth and breadth to your total package. It is impossible to do everything, so be strategic in where you invest your time. Seek to develop skills, gain knowledge, and interact with key people in your field.

Get involved in other activities that align with your interests. If you desire a career around business and social responsibility, invest time in events celebrating social action. If your career goal is to be a writer, et active writing! Involvement allows you demonstrate skills, a positive attitude, and to connect with people of similar interests.

Start building your network now

During the years you spend in university, you are surrounded by a gaggle of peers, many who will move up through your field with you. You also have access to industry professionals across a wide range of fields. Connect with these people; talk with them about your interests, learn from their experiences, and invest in building up professional relationships. It is incredible how many opportunities seem to come out of thin air because somebody knows somebody who’s looking for your amazing skill set. Start building your community now so that it will be in place when you begin to need it.

Brand yourself

Now is the perfect time to develop your individual brand and showcase yourself to the world. Tell people what you can do, what you are passionate about, and what you stand for. Become memorable to the people you connect with. People often meet me and say, “Oh, you’re the tourism guy!” or, “You’re the customer service guy!” because I am dedicated to these areas. A clear personal brand resonates with people. The best part about this is all the modes of communication available to present this, so…

Get social

It’s time to start taking your social presence to a new level. In 2011, 56% of businesses were using social networking sites to recruit candidates[3], up from 34% just three years prior. Extend this to 2013 and easily two thirds of all companies are recruiting online, in many cases without ever posting a job or expressing a desire to hire.

Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and polished. It is THE online recruitment platform used by employers, an amazing portfolio that showcases your skills and interests while housing your professional network. Clean up your Facebook profile or strengthen your privacy; almost 40% of employers will review any accessible online information of you before making a decision to hire. Establish yourself on Twitter, talking to others (see the network section!) in your fields of interest and building relationships.

Estote simper parati

Latin for the classic phrase ‘always be prepared’ and solid advice for university students looking ahead at graduation and the transition into a career. From a young age, my father coached me on the critical E’s: experience, exposure and education. Education is incredibly valuable but on its own not enough to differentiate you from others. The initiative to get involved and demonstrate that you are taking responsibility for your own success is extremely attractive and will serve you well. Build trust within your network and solid set of skills.

University is not different from the real world. Professionals do their very best in all situations and take advantage of opportunities put in front of them. Remember that the best way to reach your career goal is to stop telling people about your potential, what you will do once you get that job. Show them your achievements; those speak for themselves.

 

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