*Republished from the February 2017 issue of The Kayseean
By The Kayseean Staff (2017)
You are nearing the finish line! What you do in these last few months of the school year before graduation is critical. You should, of course, keep your academic record in good shape, but you should also look toward opportunities to develop interpersonal skills.
A healthy social life can be beneficial in both the personal and the professional sense. Let’s see why…
1. Start Networking
If you haven’t already, attend a Bristol Chamber of Commerce Breakfast held the first Friday of each month in the King University Dining Hall at 7:05 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. First off, it’s a great breakfast. Secondly, you’ll be nudged out of your comfort zone. You have an opportunity to talk to professionals. Many will not be in the field of your choice, but that’s not the point. The biggest take-away from this experience is getting over yourself – getting over your fear of speaking to someone you do not know, asking that person a few questions about themselves and their occupation, and then getting over the dreaded fear of actually having to answer some questions about yourself. It all sounds simple enough, but many college-level students lack the basic comfort level needed to conduct the simplest communication encounters.
In the post-college years, networking can help you secure a substantial amount of jobs and other professional opportunities. Networking is the exchange of information among individuals with a common interest. It is ideal that students start to learn the concept of networking now, as the value of professional relationships only increases in college.
Many prospective employers like to receive applications from candidates with whom they share a connection. Connections could be having graduated from the same university, belonging to the same Greek organization, or even having mutual friends. Do not underestimate the value of connecting with people in your field of interest. These individuals can share important tips about whether the field is right for you, where to look for jobs, and how to manage tricky situations.
2. Develop A 30-Second Elevator Speech
One of the cool things about the future is you do not know what is going to happen. Dynamic experiences await you, so be prepared. One of the simplest ways to be prepared is to write and memorize a 30-second elevator speech about your interests, skills, goals, and then quickly re-direct the conversation to the other person –“Now, tell me about you!” That’s right – this can all be done in the time it takes to ride the elevator for 30-seconds – taking you from the bottom floor to the top. You never know who you may meet and with whom you may have the opportunity to network briefly.
3. Enjoy Yourself
Graduation is a turning point that is bittersweet for seniors; it signifies exciting new beginnings, but also immense, and often scary, change. Many of the people you are used to seeing every day—teachers, administrators, classmates, etc.— are people you might not see again.
Therefore, there is no better time to start spending more quality time with those who matter to you. This may include going to social events, such as end-of-year celebrations, award ceremonies, and graduation get-togethers. It may include going to more club meetings, participating in volunteer activities, enjoying yourself at the prom, or attending your college’s sports games.
It is highly imperative to finish high school strong, as college admissions offers can be revoked if a student performs poorly in his or her last semester. Keep up the good work, but also allow yourself to have some fun this spring. Find a balance between a solid social life and a productive semester of classes.