College goes by faster than you think. It’s easy to get caught up in classes and social events, but if you’re even a little unsure about your career goals, freshman year is the perfect time to start figuring them out. So what exactly is “professional development,” and why should you care?
Professional development is all about preparing yourself for life after college—whether that’s landing an internship, building a resume, or figuring out which career path fits you best. The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have. One way to begin is by joining a student org related to your interests. For example, I joined a writing club in my first semester. Not only did I meet people with similar goals, but I was also introduced to guest speakers and networking events that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
Another step? Go to career services. Seriously. Even if you’re undecided, they can help you explore majors and connect you to resources like resume help or internship listings. I went through my second semester, and it helped me realize I wanted to pair my Literature classes with Writing classes as well.
Finally, try finding a summer opportunity that builds experience, like volunteering or shadowing. It doesn’t have to be a big-name internship, anything that teaches you about your interests is valuable.
Starting early helps you figure out what you want. You get to try many different options and explore multiple pathways. You might end up finding a passion you never even knew you had.
