Start looking for internships as soon as you can. Internships provide you with knowledge-building experiences in your field, along with networking opportunities. Surrounding yourself with peers who share similar interests and goals – and meeting people further along in their careers who can mentor you – can help you feel supported while you make important connections for the future. Once school starts, explore extracurricular activities and attend career fairs to introduce yourself to employers. Make sure you have a professional, appropriate email address to share with people you meet. Start with your name and keep it simple – you want them to remember you . Find a part-time job. If you’re planning to work part-time while in school, start looking for opportunities now – before you get to campus. This will help lower the stress of finding a job once classes start. Working during school can teach you money management skills and also help limit the amount of funds you need to borrow. If Federal Work-Study was included in your financial aid package, you may be able to find a job that’s relevant to your field of study. For example, you might try working at the science library if you are a biology major. But remember, being awarded work-study does not guarantee you a job – some schools match students to jobs, but most require you to find, apply, and interview for roles on your own. Often, the most competitive and interesting roles are filled quickly, so contact your school’s financial aid office to see what’s available and how to apply. Check out eight things to know about Federal Work-Study. Keep yourself (and your things) safe. Yes, you need to remember to lock your dorm room and use a laptop lock! Getting your laptop stolen can derail your studies, and leaving your door unlocked may put you or your roommate in harm’s way. Having a roommate for the first time can be tricky enough – be respectful and smart when it comes to protecting your shared space. Other tips to help you stay safe: • Be aware of your surroundings. Learn where emergency exits are in your dorm or wherever you are living, as well as around campus. • Know who to contact in an emergency. Schools often have a campus security or emergency number, so be sure to add it as a contact in your phone. • Protect your Social Security number (SSN), usernames and passwords. Your SSN may be one of your main identifiers when checking on things like financial aid or grades and could be used to register for classes. So, never keep sensitive personal information on a sticky note at your desk – usernames and passwords should always be stored in a secure place. 7 6
• 34 •
Powered by FlippingBook