My advice to a college freshman

For recent graduates, job-seeking can be difficult to navigate. The GPAs are high and the stakes are higher. With competition tougher than ever, preparing for this playing field should start as soon as you begin pursuing your college degree.

Join a club or organization

Joining a club does more than just fill up your free time. It introduces you to people you wouldn’t have met otherwise and teaches the importance of time management and group dynamics. Further, it signals to potential employers that you have a firm grasp on these qualities.

Befriend your professors

Professors are a huge resource in terms of advice and connections. They have attended college, they have had numerous students before you, and they have navigated the job market before. A well-written recommendation can carry a lot of weight. Additionally, professors often have opportunities to offer standout students such as fellowships, summer opportunities, or teaching assistant positions.

Start looking for internships early

Internships teach you about your trade and prepare you for the business world. The earlier you start, the better, and in today’s competitive world one internship may or may not cut it. Start early, and be persistent. Best-case scenario, you have an internship you love that leads to a post-graduate job! Worst-case scenario, you land an internship you hate and you realize what you don’twant to do with your life — before you graduate.

Network, network, network

You never know who could be helpful to your career down the road. Stay in touch, and don’t be afraid to reach out to a connection for career advice, introductions, or potential opportunities. More often than not, your connections will be happy to help.

Utilize the career center

Career centers have a huge amount of resources just itching to be used. And those career fairs aren’t just for show. They’re worthwhile events that could lead to some fantastic opportunities if you take the time to check them out.

Use this time to travel

Do all the traveling you can when you aren’t studying or interning. A bit of soul-searching can help you figure out what you’re really passionate about. Meeting new people and understanding how different cultures operate will give you insight into different types of people and styles of working. Get out of your comfort zone; this is where you discover the most about yourself!

Be wary of social media

There are enough obstacles in today’s job market to overcome; your social media accounts shouldn’t add to them. With today’s search technology, all it takes is a few clicks for a potential employer to write you off completely. My philosophy, if you have to think about it—you’re better off keeping it to yourself.

Most importantly: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, after all.

Sarah Haberman is a senior at the University of Delaware studying mass communication. She recently completed a social media internship at Monster.