Written by Accounting Student & Career Center Intern, Ethan Lam
As a student entering my penultimate year at USC, these are some tips I wish I knew when I was a new student on-campus. These are small bits of wisdom I learned during my time as a student transitioning into a young professional. Ultimately, these lessons helped me land opportunities with companies like Snapchat and Deloitte.
No matter your background or interests, being aware of these tips will help prepare you for recruiting and finding your place on campus.
1. Bring Professional Clothes With You
Have pieces ready for unexpected business casual settings. In high school, you might only wear formal or business attire to banquets and prom. In a university setting, one may wear professional clothes more often.
Professional clothes don’t always mean sharp blazers or blouses, though. When the time is right, a nice pullover or quarter-zip will also convey professionalism while giving you a friendlier energy.
When you join a professional club, go to networking events, or attend speaker panels, remember to dress to impress!
2. Create a Handshake Account
Handshake will be your one-stop shop for everything career-related on campus. If you want to have your resume reviewed, you can book an appointment through this platform.
The platform is also tailored to your school-based career services. For example, Leventhal students have direct access to their career advisors and counselors through the platform.
Besides connecting students to career services and resources, Handshake also boasts an extensive list of on-campus jobs, internships, and full-time opportunities. You can also find networking events and recruiting events from employers looking for Trojans to join their organizations.
3. Create a LinkedIn Account
LinkedIn provides an easy way to stay connected with classmates, professors, and professionals! It is also a great platform to begin networking with working professionals from your desired industry by reaching out for coffee chats.
For me, LinkedIn has allowed me to talk with people in entertainment, tech-privacy law, and accounting. It has also allowed me explore different roles in these industries. When I was interested in marketing, I used it to search for different roles in communications and account management.
⭐My specific tip for LinkedIn: Make sure to have a clear picture of yourself for your profile! If you need a new headshot, stop by the IRIS Booth in STU 110 to take an updated photo.
4. Transition your high school resume into a college-ready one
Eager to join student organizations or apply for on-campus jobs?
To start, highlight any extracurriculars and club positions you had and emphasize the impact of your contributions using the STAR method. Be sure to put USC, your major, graduation date, and the specific school you study under over your high school education. A quality resume conveys your passion and strong attitude to student organizations and employers, even if you are a first-year student.
Not sure what to write? We have a blog article that addresses this: You Have More Experience Than You Think: 5 Resume Tips for When You Have “No” Experience
The Career Center is always here to support students and their resume needs. Book an appointment through Handshake after registering for classes!
Good luck with the start of classes, Trojans!
