Author: Jahdoi Russell, Peer Professional
The phrase “balancing act” perfectly describes a college student's experience. We desperately want to keep a steady balance and progress adequately without tipping over. Trust me, you are not the only one who has felt buried under the responsibilities that come with advancing as a college student. Staying on track with academic success can be a heavy burden. When we prioritize this above everything else, we often overlook or disregard the importance of career development.
Having a schedule full of academics, work, student involvement, amongst other things is unequivocally difficult to juggle all at once. With that being said, the pressure to “have it all together” has surfaced many times throughout my college career. The question is: How can we maintain a firm balance while juggling numerous college responsibilities?
Acknowledging the cruciality of career development and understanding the definition is a significant first step. According to the NSLS, career development is the process of improving one's occupational status and professional growth. It involves making decisions for long-term learning and aligning personal needs with career advancement opportunities (Success, n.d.). It is a misconception that career development starts after you graduate and secure a job. Ideally, the process of career development should start while you are still in college.
As college students, we naturally prioritize our academics and can easily forget the necessity of developing our professional skills. Friendly reminder: you have control over the trajectory of not only your academics but also your career development. There are several resources that UNC Charlotte offers as a means to help alleviate the stress that tends to creep up on us as we navigate through our college careers. A prime example of these brilliant resources is the Career Center. With access to career coaching, practice interviews, career meet-ups, and so much more, ask yourself what is holding you back.
Don’t get me wrong, my first year of college was overwhelming, to say the very least. Getting satisfactory grades was the only thing on my mind; career development was not on my list of priorities. It was only when I took the initiative to work at the Career Center and seriously considered my professional life that I found myself climbing to new heights. Outlining present actions that serve you in achieving your goals is a helpful task that benefits your future.
The Career Center offers an opportunity to strengthen your professionalism and provides insight into different career communities. Allow these opportunities to be the beginning or continuation of your professional advancement. That one career event or drop-in appointment that you decide to attend can help immensely. Career development encompasses everything from enhancing your resume to learning how to find relevant internships in your desired career field. There is a plethora of resources right at your fingertips, go out on a whim to see how fruitful they can truly be.
Is my schedule currently jam-packed? Yes, but the knowledge and experience I have gained are priceless. I've discovered that the key is to intentionally work toward your career goals and pursue them at a pace that doesn't tax you. These deliberate actions assist in making well-informed decisions as a college student regarding aspects such as your major, courses you enroll in, organizations you join, and internships you pursue.
The process isn’t going to be perfect; you may lose your balance from time to time but you will undoubtedly get back to a steady pace. Ask yourself, “Where am I now, where do I want to be, and how can I develop a plan to get there?”. There are services available to assist and guide you through all of the necessary steps in your college career.
Resources:
Success, T. N. S. of L. and. (n.d.). Career Development 101: A Complete Guide to Professional Growth. Www.nsls.org. https://www.nsls.org/what-is-career-development