Career Expo as Underclassmen
This blog post was written by Peer Career Ambassador, Aditya Agarwal ‘22
College is an exciting, yet anxious time for many first-year students. It is many students’ first time away from home, and while this may be a fun time, it is also the time to start developing a professional career. The largest professional event at Babson is upcoming, and you should be prepared to attend.
Although it is difficult to gain an internship as an underclassman, it is never too early to start trying. Many underclassmen worry about networking and are nervous to start, but it is crucial to take the first step out of your comfort zone. Networking can initially seem very overwhelming but it may be easier to think of it as an event where you make friends. Talk to employers as you would with other people, keeping in mind that these “friends” are slightly more important to your career than your average friend. Simply dressing professionally and attending the career expo will be an advantageous experience to help prepare you for your next networking event.
Here are a few steps to follow before heading out to the expo:
- Be clean– shower, wash your face, shave any facial hair and ensure that you look and feel clean
- Dress professionally– put on that suit and tie! Make sure your socks are not white and your shoes match your outfit
- Be prepared– print a few resumes, bring a pen and a notepad to take notes with
- Name Tag– keep it on the right side to draw the employer’s eye to your name
- Smile– be relaxed and comfortable while talking to the employer. Ask for advice and steps you can take to make yourself a viable candidate for the next few years
- Follow up– send a thank you email and connect with employers on LinkedIn!
Networking is a skill that takes practice. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Fail fast and learn so that when the time comes, you will be well prepared. As my FME professor used to say, life is just luck, but the more extensive your network, the luckier you get.