By engaging in activities outside of your formal studies, you can break the cycle of "I need experience to get a job, but I need a job to get experience!” The resources available to you on campus and through the Career Centre can help you explore traditional and alternative job options in or outside your field of study.
Take time to reflect during and after taking action. Doing so will help you determine what you have learned about yourself and the world of work. You will discover (or even create) new opportunities and interests while developing knowledge, skills, and connections that will benefit you in your career and life. Taking time to reflect will also help you make informed next steps.
A next steps approach
It is not possible for you to know exactly where you will be one year, five years, or even 10 years down the road. It is possible, however, to know what you might want to do or accomplish in the next week, month, or even a few months.
A next steps approach is similar to your car’s headlights as you travel down a dark highway. Your headlights are not bright enough to light your entire trip at once. But, they are bright enough for you to see a few feet ahead of you, then the next few feet, and the next few. You continue to travel a few feet at a time and adjust your speed and direction depending on what you are able to see. Over time, you safely reach your destination--even if it is not the one you intended.
Similarly, it is not crucial for you to decide exactly what you will be doing in the future. It is important, however, for you to take actions that will continue to propel you towards your preferred future. If you are regularly taking action and reflecting on your experiences, you are gathering current information to use in your decision making. Over time, your career will unfold one step at a time. A next steps approach is flexible, adaptable, and focuses on possibilities.