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A few months ago, I wrote a post about being nervous about the start of our summer student. Yesterday, I hosted a baked potato bar for the municipality's 20 summer students and picked their brains about our economic development goals. What I learned is that most of them are utterly terrified about the impending end of their education - they're really unsure of how to get a job and be in the workforce. So here's some (unsolicited) advice for those summer students... * A summer job is a great chance to try new things. So consider the upside to any task that lands on your plate - search for the skill that's new to you, even if it's "withstanding this task." * Learning what you DON'T like to do, or what DOESN'T interest you about your field, is hugely valuable. * Decide what you want from your summer experience. Talk to your supervisor about how to make it happen. * Ask your supervisor (and your co-workers!) about how their journey. You'd be surprised at how many people are delighted to be asked about their experience and you'll pick up lots of subtle tips for getting where you want to be (or where you want to avoid!). * If you're in a workplace with other summer students, connect with them. They're learning things too and you should compare notes. Plus, no one knows what you're going through like someone who's going through the same thing. Lean on one another! * Ask your supervisor (and your co-workers!) to connect you with people in your field. They likely have a network of people with just *slightly* different skills. And they may work with contractors who open up new doors to something that's not traditional in the field. Explore, explore! * Ask for a letter of reference. Highlight what you what you want highlighted. And remember: You did it! You got the job, you navigated a new workplace, you survived the summer, you saw and learned some things, you gained the skills. You are on your way. And we believe in you!

You can earn up to 4 units toward your degree, allowing you to catch up or get ahead in your studies, helping you graduate sooner or enhance your skills for a summer job. Choose from two convenient sessions: a four-week fully online session or a two-week session that is in-person, online or hybrid.

This Monday marks the start of our Summer Student Programme—a project I’m deeply passionate about because it gives young people some of their first professional work opportunities. It’s always inspiring to see their enthusiasm and potential. It also got me reflecting on my own journey. I recently dug out my very first CV, which I wrote when applying for a receptionist job (back when I was just starting out). Looking at it, I couldn’t help but smile at how far I’ve come and how those early roles shaped the person I am today. Moments like these remind me of the importance of pausing to reflect on our growth and how small beginnings can lead to incredible opportunities. To the students joining us on Monday: embrace the experience, make the most of the learning, and know that every step of your journey matters. What’s one thing that shaped your early career? I’d love to hear your reflections. #CareerJourney #YouthOpportunities #ProfessionalGrowth #Reflection

Can we call it? Is it official? 👀 🎄🎁 As we close out the first week of December, the temptation to nudge tasks and projects into the new year is high. You may find your work is split into two camps: make progress now that you'll be thankful for in January OR get a fresh start on it in 2025/make it January's problem. Which camp are you in? Tell us in the comments ⬇️ #VirtualInternships #WorkLife #HolidayMode #CircleBackSeason

🌟 Fall Semester is Almost Here at Kansas State University!🌟 As we gear up for the start of classes next week, the campus is coming alive with excitement and anticipation. Maybe it's just me, or that I'm excited that Chick-Fil-A reopens today, but I'm stoked overall! My calendar is filling up fast with student appointments, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to support our K-State Wildcats as they prepare for a successful semester and our planned Fall career events! This time of year always brings a renewed sense of energy and purpose. 💡Pro Tip for K-State Students: Now is the perfect time to update your resume with those valuable summer experiences. Whether you interned, volunteered, worked part-time, or took on personal projects, every experience counts! I cannot stress that enough! 📄Why It Matters: These experiences not only showcase your skills but also tell a story of your growth and adaptability. Employers love to see candidates who take initiative and make the most of their time—so let’s make sure your resume reflects that! 💪Let’s Do This Together: If you’re feeling unsure about how to articulate your experiences, don’t worry—you’re not alone. I’m here, along with the awesome staff at the K-State Career Center, to help you craft a resume that stands out and truly represents the incredible work you’ve done. Let’s make this semester at K-State one to remember! 💜 Also taking a page from my awesome connection and friend Richard Cooper II and will be adding the following section to my posts. Breakfast: Dr. Pepper & Ruffles (I know, lets not tell my PCP) 🥤 Song of the AM: Lemon Glow by Beach House #highereducation #careerservices #resumes #internships #appliedlearning

Local businesses reported that they really valued the experience of last summer’s placements, with some great young people learning lots from them and adding positively to their workplaces. Do you want to support young people to gain valuable skills and experience? Do you want to work with us to identify potential future employees? Why not come along to the employer engagement event or if you want a chat before then give either me or Scott a shout!

As we approach 2025, several key trends are shaping early careers recruitment.  Employers are placing more emphasis on practical, digital, and soft skills over formal qualifications, while also seeking candidates who are agile, resilient, and able to thrive in fast-changing environments.  Hybrid work remains a vital component of early career strategies, offering flexibility and improved work-life balance for employees, however it also presents challenges with visibility and engagement that both employers and young professionals need to work to overcome.  Early engagement with GenZ through internships and apprenticeships is growing and this cohort demands diverse, inclusive, and socially responsible workplaces, and employers need to respond; now more than ever, a strong employer brand is crucial for attracting talent. #EarlyCareers #YouthMarketing #GenZ #EmployerBranding

Looking back before moving forward: #Part2 Coming to a new country in your late 20s as a young professional is nothing short of an adventure. By the time I moved to the USA, I brought with me nearly five years of work experience from India. Yet, navigating a new job market in an unfamiliar environment was undeniably daunting. When I started at Suffolk in September 2023, I often found myself staring at the towering buildings of Boston that surrounded my campus, wondering if I’d ever truly find my footing here. I knew I had a lot to offer and felt confident in my skills as a marketing professional. What I lacked, however, was a network and experience in this new landscape. Networking events were a challenge—I found myself shy and awkward, unsure of how to pitch myself as the ideal candidate (ironic, considering marketing is my profession). I often laughed at the conundrum of my life: I had led pitch meetings for brands, yet when it came to branding myself, I hesitated. But 2024 brought incredible mentors and opportunities that helped me break out of my shell. Receiving the Graduate Fellowship Award from Suffolk was a turning point—it allowed me to work on campus from day one. I was fortunate to work with Professor Kimberley Ring Allen at Suffolk in the Hub and Professor Zhen Jane Zhu as a Graduate Assistant in the Marketing Department at Sawyer Business School. Their guidance and mentorship were invaluable—they not only challenged me to think critically but also inspired me to push boundaries and grow as a marketing professional. These roles became my first steps toward building connections with students and faculty while gaining valuable experience. After my first semester, the pressure of finding an internship weighed heavily on me. That’s when the Suffolk University Center for Career Equity, Development & Success, especially Amy Whitish-Temple, stepped in. From resume-building to interview strategies, their support was invaluable. I’ll never forget one call with Amy where sensing my anxiety, she said, “Don’t worry, good things are coming your way!” For an immigrant student navigating uncharted territory, those words were a beacon of hope and encouragement. And sure enough, good things did come my way—in the form of a dream summer internship. To be continued in #Part3 💫

Here's what I learned in the past 2 years of college that changed me - 1. 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆 Your thinking, attitude, behavior, and learning will depend a lot on who you spend your time with. Be picky. 2. 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 Don't try to do too many things at once, but don’t just depend on your college/teachers to tell you what to do. Multitasking is good, but give yourself time to get used to it. 3. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 There are multiple career paths within your field. For Business/Commerce majors, it could be Finance, Marketing, Strategy, HR. You won’t know what resonates with you if you don’t try new things. 4. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱 Talk to people—your friend's friends, colleagues,seniors, teachers, alumni, even the watchman or cafeteria guy. Don't just talk for the sake of it; show genuine interest in them and what they do. Leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Unstop. 5. 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 While we're busy pursuing our dreams, it's our family that has our back, that wishes the best for us regardless. It’s our innermost circle, you can be vulnerable with them. So find time to make that call, share your stuff with them. 6. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 Cliché, but yes, it is important. Learn the difference between what you think you want and what you actually need. 7. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 College is a world of its own, there are a hundred things going on everyday — embrace every little opportunity that comes your way from joining clubs , doing fests internships,trips to making new Trust me, you’ll make unforgettable memories. 8. 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Yess...ten years from now, you'll know who you were and where you came from. Capture photos, journal...have your Chhichhore moment. 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗽 - If you’re in a new city, take the time to explore. Each city has its unique charm. Don’t overlook your hometown either; you might be surprised by what you discover in familiar places.

Summer Jobs for teens – what are the lessons to be gleaned? This article from Investopedia shares some great key takeaways to share with teens who are working over summer break. Key things to share with teens include: -Getting a summer job can boost many skills and habits beneficial to a career. -Securing a summer job may boost a teen's confidence, as it can give them an opportunity to feel success through the application, training, and working process. -Skills that working a summer job may help build include time management skills and an ability to build a network. -For teens who already have an idea of the future career they may want to pursue, applying for summer jobs that relate to that field can help build familiarity with and contacts in that sector. -An expanded social and professional network can provide new learning experiences and open the door to new opportunities. Learn more in this article here: https://lnkd.in/gtEABE59 Photo Credit: Sterling PR