Many students feel hesitant to apply for a “career” job as graduation nears.
At Mohr Career Services, we sometimes hear from seniors that they feel they should complete a senior summer internship before applying to a post-graduation job. Like imposter syndrome, this is not an uncommon feeling. However, it is not typically necessary to try for a last-minute internship.
Here’s why: employers know that new grads have been learning skills in the classroom, but that they will need time to apply what they have learned as they begin to gain on-the-job experience. Some companies offer rotational training programs, some assign new employees a mentor, and most anticipate giving new hires time to get up to speed. The point is, no one expects new graduates to be seasoned professionals—even if you’ve seen some entry-level job postings that ask for a lengthy list of skills.
The truth is that you will always be learning. For the past several years, you’ve been developing critical thinking skills in the classroom, building teamwork abilities through group projects, and honing customer service/communication skills during part-time jobs and internships. Now, as you prepare to take your first post-graduation career steps, be aware that learning doesn’t stop. You will learn how to navigate the culture at your new job, how to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios, and how to find opportunities for continued professional growth. While you might never feel like you are 100% “done,” that’s a good thing. That means you are continuing to grow and develop into a more valuable contributor.
Now, if there are one or two skills that you keep seeing on EVERY job announcement and you suspect you may need to build them in order to be a competitive candidate, that’s fine. Use your resources while you are still a UO student. Remember that the UO is a LinkedIn Learning campus. Log into LinkedIn Learning through your LinkedIn account. You will be asked for your UO SSO. Then, start learning! Another option is to review the offerings through Professional Edge and register for a skill-building minicourse. Once you have completed a course, add it to your resume and to your LinkedIn profile. Your skills will help you stand out in this competitive job market and may help you to have more confidence in your career readiness.
The main takeaway here is that you are not alone. Many students are experiencing the uncertainty that comes with big life transitions. That “imposter” feeling might be there for a bit—but it shouldn’t hold you back. Acknowledge the feeling; sharpen a skill or two, if necessary, but move forward anyway. Reach out to professionals and/or alumni for a conversation to learn more about a specific type of job/company/industry. Apply for the jobs that interest you. Believe in yourself. You’ve got this!
If you would like some support in crafting your professional future, please schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor at Mohr Career Services. We are here to help!
