May 16, 2006 – It is never too early to begin developing "good" skills in college that will make the transition from college life to the working world a bit smoother. I have compiled a list of some of the ones I deem to be pertinent.
Saving and Budgeting
Ever notice how college students are always in the latest fashion trends or taking exotic spring break trips and dining out every day? Even if your parents are your personal bankers, make it a habit to save a minimum of $5.00 of that $50.00 weekly check. It may behoove you to open up a savings account for this extra stash. This can serve as good nest egg for future plans post graduation.
Pay Bills on Time
Avoid the pitfalls of going into unmanageable debt and then being late on your payments. This starts the trend for college students to have bad credit, making you subject to high interest rates which can affect your housing options later, whether you decide to rent or buy.
To Be Early Is To Be On Time
Going to class late and waking up late are all "normal" in college, but these will quickly get you fired in any job. Understand that if your job starts at 8:00 a.m. and it takes fifteen minutes to get yourself together and ready for the day ahead, then you need to arrive at 7:45 a.m.
Work Like the Rent Is Due
Make each effort count. In college you may find that you have the "option" of slacking off on a paper or exam knowing that you can work harder on the next one. Learn from now to make each and every attempt at a task your chance to give your very best or else, again, you can find yourself out of work. Even during employment, if you are assigned more menial tasks of filing or answering the phone, make it the best and most efficient filing and answering service and do so in a timely manner.
Always Something to Do – In college we are given outlines for assignments and class topics that will be covered over the semester. Diligent students will find themselves either right on or ahead of schedule. Extra free time – outside of volunteering, relaxing, etc. — should be used to review and get ahead in school work. In the working world, 15-minute breaks are allotted throughout the work day, which is okay, but consistently being bored and showing it are not. Be proactive and ask for work, or if you have been asked to organize a shelf, and the shelf in the adjacent room needs to be organized as well, ask to complete this task too. Managers take note of this, especially if done in a timely manner and done well.
Never Miss a Chance to Make a First Impression – Network! Roommates, professors, advisors are all chances for you to build your educational and professional alliances. Not everyone will make a lasting impression on you, but chances are your first encounters with some of these people will give you a sense of who you may want to keep in touch with.
Ask for Help
Professors and employers like people who are self-motivated and independent. However, do not run the risk of making huge mistakes when you could easily ask for help and guidance. This does not show weakness, but someone who is concerned about their work and dedicated enough to a task they seek to master.
Be Consistently Better – Always believe that there is room for improvement. You should never settle for less than your best. Set your expectations high and take the necessary incremental steps to achieve them. Keep that confident feeling of knowing that even if you do not end at the top, you gave your all.
Again, it is never too late to begin working on these self-improvement tips, even at the summer job you will be starting shortly. I have found that making a conscious effort to implement some of these practices daily, makes it less of a routine and more of a habit, one that you can easily live with and something that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Christine M. Boschulte offers advice to college students to develop good habits to make their transition into the working world a bit smoother.
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