4 Ways to Get Experience With No Previous Job
If there’s anything that collectively stresses every undergraduate college student out, it’s finding a job or internship relevant to their major. This is especially true as graduation approaches. But what if you just don’t have the time or opportunity to obtain relevant real-world experience for your desired career or goal? Fear not, here are five things you can do on your own time using patience, dedication, and a whole lot of discipline to build some experience having had no previous job experience.
1. Start a blog.
As many companies take to the internet to communicate or plan with their customers, the demand for people who have skills in all things digital is increasingly high. If you are someone who is planning to pursue a job in areas such as photography, the arts, web design, graphic design, or anything similar, making a blog that showcases any kind of work samples can make you stand out significantly from other job applicants. It not only exposes your skills to the world, but it also demonstrates passion and interest in your career choice.
2. Contribute to any publication or club of your choice within the college community.
People who are passionate about something often share their passions with others! By getting involved in the school, you can connect with students who have similar interest as yourself and thereby learn things you didn’t know before. Everyone has a story. By meeting more people who enjoy what you enjoy, you can take things in directions you never imagined before. College is also a time for networking and expanding one’s horizons, so meeting new people is always beneficial.
3. Volunteer at a local nonprofit organization
Lots of times, nonprofit organizations seek volunteers to help around with day to day operations. This is an excellent way to see how a nonprofit organization works as well as meet some people who have work experience in that area. Places like these usually work around your availability, so you can come in as much as you are able to. Volunteering at a local nonprofit organization can even lead to a job in that area.
4. Open a Twitter account and update it with posts relevant to your intended field of study
Say you want to be a journalist. By opening a Twitter account that you update with information you feel is important, you can fill it with relevant sources and pages that will keep you up to date as well as inspired. In an era where technology is essential for day to day operations in our society, the internet is a key principle that allows one to access knowledge at one’s fingertips. Twitter is unique in that it is the easiest way to communicate with someone who would otherwise be difficult to reach. Famous journalists, photographers, and politicians, and even famous singers and actors have been known to respond directly to tweets from fans.
Establishing yourself beyond your regular academic duties is a great way to show your motivation and dedication to something you are passionate about. At the end of the day, you want to find a job that will accept you for your visions and ideas.