Isn’t first-year university way too early to be thinking about a career? As a matter of fact, there are certain things you can do, even in your first year, that will give you a significant edge later on—and some of those things, such as planning an exchange or finding a mentor, are even fun. So, without further ado, read on to learn our ten essential career tips for first-year university students.

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1. Take stock and ask yourself the difficult questions?

  • What are you good at?
  • What are you passionate about?
  • Where will my choices lead?
  • What if I don’t yet know what I’m passionate about?

2. Develop your soft skills

  • Soft skills (also known as ‘employability skills’) are skills that are not specific to any one industry or organization

3. Join clubs and societies

  • Clubs and societies can be a whole lot of fun, providing an opportunity to make friends, pick up new hobbies, and get involved in university life

4. Research vacation work and internships

  • You may discover work experience opportunities with smaller employers, or, at the very least, gain a better sense of the skills, marks, or experiences you’ll need to make a competitive internship application later on in your degree

5. Get to know your tutors or lecturers

  • These teachers can be an invaluable resource, providing feedback about any specific concerns you have about their course, helping to clarify academic goals, and, very often, able to supply career advice that’s specific to their discipline (and yours)

6. Consider an international exchange semester

  • The benefits of participating in an international exchange program are numerous: you’ll get to experience a new culture, make friends abroad, develop your independence and initiative, demonstrate the ability to cope with change (something employers value greatly), and expose yourself to new ways of learning within a new setting and among new peers

7. Make a budget

  • Life after university (and especially the aspect of that life which involves repaying any student debts) will force you to rely on prudent personal finance skills

8. Stay on top of careers advice and make sure to attend on-campus careers fairs

  • New opportunities arise all the time, and the job that suits you best may turn out to be one that you’ve never heard about

9. Draft a CV and cover letter

  • Even if you’re not planning to apply for jobs any time soon, drafting a CV and cover letter during your first year can be a valuable exercise for several reasons

10. Make sure to look ahead at postgraduate opportunities and, if necessary, complete any prerequisites

  • Many a student has reached the end of their degree only to realize that they skipped a crucial course, attained too low an average mark, or missed the deadline for an important test or application. Don’t make the same mistake!