By Indeed Editorial Team
See original article here: https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/career-goals-for-college-students
Updated 2 December 2022
Published 12 May 2022
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.
By developing career goals, students gain skills and competencies that can guide them towards their intended career path. Setting these goals allows students to define their objectives and outline the steps necessary to achieve them. Having realistic and attainable career goals can be helpful for you as a college student, especially if you know what career goals are, why they are important and the steps to accomplishing them. In this article, we discuss 8 career goals for college students, highlight their importance, review some examples and provide some tips to help you get started.
8 career goals for college students
Understanding the definition and the importance of career goals for college students is imperative. For college students, career goals are academic or career-related objectives that help determine their career path and monitor their progress. Therefore, they are able to develop their skills and broaden their knowledge of the field they wish to pursue, which provides them with a sense of fulfilment and growth.
For example, if you are interested in pursuing your career in blockchain, then becoming a certified blockchain developer can serve as one such career objective. Take a look at the following career objectives to help you set your own:
1. Learn a specific skill or specialisation in your field of interest
Focusing on gaining expertise in your areas of interest helps you appreciate the field and increases your employability. The purpose of setting a goal is to help you focus on the skills that are necessary for getting a job after graduation, particularly in competitive industries. For example, as a medical student, one of your career objectives might be to keep up with new medical research to propose effective treatment plans.
Example: My professional goal is to read medical journals and attend conferences to keep updated with the latest developments in medicine.
2. Network with professionals
Before graduation, consider establishing industry contacts that can provide you with valuable information. Through these connections, you can find employment or receive recommendations for jobs in the future. For example, if you are a computer science student, attend hackathons, conferences and coding events where you can meet professionals from different industries. Connecting with them helps you understand industry trends, find out the top companies to work for, determine the programming skills required and learn about upcoming technologies.
Example: My goal this year is to attend the advanced manufacturing workshop to learn more about the latest developments in semiconductor chip manufacturing and packaging.
Related: Top 7 Networking Skills (How To Develop And Highlight Them)
3. Earn top grades to attract more job offers
Achieving top grades in your semester exams can make you a favourable candidate during the recruitment process. Some top companies also have grade cutoffs for attendees at their placement exams. Additionally, employers may find that students who achieve top grades are highly skilled and knowledgeable and can add value to the company. With high grades, you can consider applying for internships before graduating, which may convert to a full-time offer based on your performance.
Example: Obtaining a minimum cumulative grade point of 9 in the final semester exams can help me qualify for several placement tests.
4. Find an internship
You can apply for internships in your final year to set up a clear career path in the industry you want to pursue. Working for a specific period for a company is an excellent way to learn more about the industry. Internships provide the opportunity for interactions with leads, managers and fellow interns, allowing you to develop your technical and communication skills. As an example, if you are studying mechanical engineering, consider taking up an internship that helps you learn how to turn concepts into reality by creating, analysing and running simulations, drafting reports and testing products.
Example: My career objective would be to intern for a start-up that works on natural language processing and deep learning.
Related: SMART Goals: Definition And Examples
5. Complete certifications and courses
Consider setting goals to earn extra credentials or certifications depending on your chosen career path. During the certification course, you are required to complete mini-projects and take quizzes to enhance your knowledge and develop additional skills that can enhance your credibility when applying for placements. It is a good idea to consult with professionals in your field when choosing certification courses.
Example: It is my career goal to complete courses on cryptography and encryption before graduating so that I can demonstrate my capabilities in these fields.
6. Join a college club
Active involvement in a club can improve your resume and provide opportunities to meet other people with similar interests. Taking part in club meetings, sharing your perspective and organising events also improve your organisational and communication skills. Explore clubs in your college that align with your interests or consider starting your own and invite other students to join. Including your extracurricular activities on your resume can be a great idea, since hiring managers may be curious to know more about your interests outside of the classroom.
Example: This year, I want to join the literature club at my college to take part in plays and creative writing workshops and contribute to the annual literary magazine.
Related: How To Build A Career: A Complete Guide In 8 Steps
7. Work for a specific company or organisation
Most students have an idea of what kind of company they would like to work for. Students often choose these companies based on their values, their public reputation, salary offers, additional benefits or a general appreciation of the products or services they offer. It is important to choose a company where a student feels comfortable and confident as they begin their career. Think of what kind of company you would like to work for, its values and the kind of environment you enjoy working in.
Example: A career goal for me is to work in a company that has a great work culture, challenging work, good work-life balance and focuses on solving problems.
8. Earn passive income
Passive income allows you to earn extra income while attending college. This can help in covering daily expenses or clearing any debts. It is also a great way to learn about budgeting and saving. You can consider tasks such as affiliate marketing, blogging, content creation, social media marketing, creating podcasts, making videos, trading and freelancing. Make sure you research and find jobs that align with your interests.
Example: As a career objective, I want to generate income using my blog. I intend to blog about current events, lifestyle and book reviews.
Related: 20 Side Jobs For Generating Additional Income
Why are career goals important for college students?
Establishing career goals can prove beneficial for your development. Here are some examples of why they are important:
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Provides a pre-determined plan: A focused career path reduces career stress and helps students remain focused on what they want to achieve.
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Improve specific industry skills: Having a career goal can also help students focus on specific skills that could be useful in their future careers, such as accounting for aspiring bankers or software development for an engineer.
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Establish connections: By attending seminars and workshops, students can maintain professional relationships with industry experts and seniors in the field. This can lead to internship and employment opportunities.
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Increase your salary potential: Having professional goals helps students improve their skills and expand their knowledge, allowing them to join companies that offer higher salaries and career advancement options.
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Estimating educational expenses: When students define their career goals and have a clear idea of what they want to achieve, they can estimate the total expenses they may incur, which include accommodation costs, study materials and tuition fees.
Related: 13 Steps To Be Successful in Life: Tips And Advice
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Tips for setting career objectives
You may have different career goals based on your educational interests, professional aspirations and financial situation. Listed below are a few suggestions for defining your career goals:
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Make your goals a learning opportunity. By choosing goals that challenge you and motivate you to keep learning and improving, you can reach your full potential.
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Ask for feedback. You can stay focused and make improvements over time by taking timely feedback from your teachers, seniors or mentors. For example, if you wish to improve your communication skills, you can lead class discussions and ask for feedback from your teachers.
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Seek support from family and friends. Families and friends can be a source of support when you feel overwhelmed or have difficulty focusing.
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Maintain a journal. Consider keeping a journal in which you record your objectives and a tentative timeline by which you plan to achieve them. This helps you remain focused and motivated.