When I arrived at UW-Madison, “professional development” sounded like something reserved for juniors with LinkedIn Premium and business cards. But looking back, freshman year was the perfect time to start.
My best advice? Explore early and often. You don’t have to commit to a major right away, I didn’t, but start attending events that pique your interest. I went to career fairs and spoke to professionals from all different backgrounds. I had coffee chats with upperclassmen. I went to a Careers in Public Service online panel during my first semester and left with three new career paths to consider – and the email of a speaker who later became a mentor.
You should also get to know the Career Advising staff. They helped me revise my first résumé and gave me tips for finding summer internships, even as a freshman!
Also, don’t underestimate student orgs. Joining clubs connected to your interests (like Badger Consulting or Women in Economics) gives you hands-on experience and expands your network more than you’d think. And yes, LinkedIn is your friend; start building your profile now, and you’ll be ahead of the game by sophomore year (500+ connections!).
The earlier you start thinking about your professional future, even casually, the more confident you’ll feel when it really counts. Plus, freshman year is all about trying things on for size. So attend that info session. Email that speaker. Say yes to opportunities, even if they feel a little intimidating.
Trust me: future you will be grateful you did.
Ananya Rajesh, J175