After seven years at Merrimack, I can tell you this: no one has it all figured out and that’s okay! You might feel behind, uncertain or overwhelmed by career talk. Career readiness isn’t about being perfect, but it is about being prepared.
My LinkedIn headline reads: “Building Career Readiness Opportunities for College Students.” I take that seriously and want you to know why.
What Career Ready Students Are Not (Necessarily):
- The first to have a job lined up post-graduation
- Involved in every club or leadership opportunity
- Working two jobs while taking five classes
What Career Ready Students Do Know:
- That practice makes progress
- How to talk about their skills and experiences
- How to use and nurture their network
- Rejection isn’t failure, it’s a redirection
- Showing up matters, even if you’re unsure
How do I make space for career readiness opportunities on campus? The answer is seen in many different ways, and I hope that you find it when you’re ready for it.
💡 My advice after seven years on campus
- Start early – Make time for your future now! Waiting until you’re about to graduate can place unnecessary stress on your future self. Get curious and take it one step at a time.
- Use your free resources – From LinkedIn Learning and PathwayU to the Merrimack Professional Network and resume reviews, there’s a career center full of people and tools built to help you. (FYI: They would cost you over $1,000 to access without Merrimack’s help.)
- Go where the people are – Events on campus, including student organizations, guest speakers or recruiting events, are full of people who can help you and inspire you.
- Listen to stories – Alumni and employers visit campus because they want to support students. Ask them how they got to where they are, what surprised them and what they would do differently.
- Be imperfect – You don’t need to be “ready” to apply to that next position or attend that event. Simply show up and try. It can help to understand your soft skills (sometimes called durable skills) like communication, professionalism and critical thinking.
- Careers aren’t always linear – Students change majors, change directions and discover jobs they didn’t even know existed. Your path may zigzag, but that’s still progress.
🍨 A few more scoops from my network
Getting started can be the most difficult part. One suggestion from Kim Bilawchuk (Career Inspirationalist) is to “get a buddy to check in with a couple of times a week, even by text.” Kim’s note here is about ensuring you make your career journey a priority. Start by, “set[ting] aside a few hours a week to focus on reaching out to connect with professionals already in the field. Consider any social gathering as an opportunity to meet people who can share their career advice. Let it be easy!”
On a related note, Alex Baldwin (Communications & Operations Specialist) says to have “mentors and peers who you can regularly check in with about your progress towards goals you want support on.”
🏁 When You’re Ready to Take the Next Step
Start small. Stay consistent. And remember: your career journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. When you’re ready, we’re here for it.
Make an appointment, browse the virtual career center or stop by an upcoming event. You don’t have to scoop the whole sundae at once—just one thoughtful bite at a time.
