How to Build Job Skills During Your BA
You started your journey towards academic achievement and future career success as a student. But how does one ensure you get the most out of these experiences and this degree so it just hangs on the wall but actually helps you land your dream job?
The key lies in building job-ready skills while you're still on campus. These are skills that will not only boost your resume but also make you stand out in your next interview. From research and event planning to communication and leadership, here are some key areas to focus on during your BA to set yourself up for career success.
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Master those research skills!
It doesn't matter what field or discipline you're in; research is more than an extra step when doing assignments. In my career, gathering, analyzing, and presenting data is crucial, whether you're in a tech role, marketing, or any other field. As you work on assignments, challenge yourself to go beyond just collecting information. Learn to critically analyze sources, organize your findings, and draw meaningful conclusions. These research skills will not only enhance your academic performance but will also be directly applicable to various roles in your career.
Communication skills
From writing an email to your professor to speaking in front of your class, clarity, structure, and persuasion are necessary. Working on your communication skills is one of the most important skills employers look for. Don't limit your communication practice to just academic settings. Get involved in clubs, student organizations, or internships where you can practice public speaking, team collaboration, and professional writing. Remember, the ability to clearly express your ideas and work with others is essential, no matter what career path you take.
Now, for where you'll gain a lot of extra skills:
Your degree itself doesn't give you all the skills, but the experiences you gain at school will set you apart.
Get involved
As students, you will probably hear this a lot, but the best way to gain good transferable skills is by getting involved in extracurricular activities, and event planning is a fantastic opportunity. Whether you plan events at the university, facilitate small workshops, plan teaching events, or be a part of a club, budgeting, time management, and teamwork are skills you pick up along the way. <- These skills right here are highly valuable!
If you can take the lead on a project, volunteer for planning committees, and gain real-world experience while still in school, it will bring me to my following points.
Develop your leadership skills
Leadership is a critical skill in any career. You don't have to be in a management position to develop this skill; you can build leadership abilities by taking on roles in clubs, volunteering, or working on group projects. Practice delegating tasks, motivating peers, and handling conflicts. Employers will seek evidence that you can take initiative and lead others, even in smaller or informal situations.
Look out for internships, practicum, work experience and pitches/competitions
The best way to gain practical experience is through internships, co-ops, or part-time jobs related to your field of study. These opportunities allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations. Even if you can't find a position directly in your future career field, look for any job that will allow you to develop transferable skills—things like customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving are valuable no matter your role.
Meet new people and build your network.
You hear this all the time, but it really is essential for your career and career growth. Building a network is also not easy; however, being at a post-secondary institution like Ontario Tech University gives you an advantage, allowing you to practice these skills and make those connections by attending events, joining professional associations, and connecting with professors and alumni. As a student, you can reach out to people in your field of interest and get more information and connections about potential career paths. Overall, it will help you land a job after graduation.
Build and master your personal branding.
Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world, both online and in person. Start thinking about your brand during your BA—this includes maintaining a professional LinkedIn profile, engaging in online communities related to your field, and showcasing your skills through portfolios, blogs, or personal websites. By graduating, you'll have a polished online presence to help you stand out to potential employers.
Overall, your time at Ontario Tech University is about more than just earning your degree—it's about building a strong foundation for your career. By focusing on key job-ready skills like research, communication, event planning, and leadership, you'll excel in your classes and position yourself as a standout candidate in the job market. So, make the most of your time here and actively seek opportunities to gain experience, challenge yourself, and develop the skills that will shine through during your next interview.
Your future career starts now!
With Love as always, Alex
