tor with Peritus Public Relations
By: Laura Jane Stallo
Graduation can be an equally exciting and daunting time for some students. After years in the education system, it can be a welcome relief to be done with classes, though finding a career can be challenging for some.
While many students have a strong idea of the career they want to ultimately have, it can be difficult to figure out where to start, or even how.
Bella Tylicki, a recent UAB graduate, offers some insight into how she landed her job as an Account Coordinator with Peritus Public Relations.
“I started interning there (Peritus) the summer after my junior year,” Tylicki said, going on to emphasize,
“Get as much hands-on experience as you can before you graduate.”
While many students’ experiences will look different, it’s important to start as early as possible, and those first experiences can be as simple as shadowing someone for a day, or joining a club or reaching out to a professor.
There is a growing misconception among students that the only ‘good experience’ is paid positions or internships. However, there are far more ways for you to learn and gain skills that are applicable for a variety of positions.
“You can spend an afternoon doing something that is worthy of adding to your resume,”
Tylicki emphasized, going on to say, “It doesn’t have to be a super-organized, 30-hour a week internship, it can be a project that you assist on." The idea of ‘good experience’ is not only entirely relative, but most of the time, categorically incorrect.
There are a variety of ways that students can gain different experiences and skills, and how relevant those skills and experiences are to positions or careers they are interested in, is entirely relative. This just means that there are more options out there than you might be aware of.
If you are interested in more structured experiences like internships or paid positions, your professors are a some of the best resources.
“Get internships if you can, if you can’t, get connected with professionals in the field through your professors, through LinkedIn, and just reach out,” Tylicki said.
While it may seem daunting to some, your professors and department heads are the best starting place. Your professors may not only have previously worked in the industry you are interested in, but they will know people who are currently working in that industry or other people they could direct you to.
“Your network really is everything, who you know really matters,” Tylicki added, emphasizing not to “be afraid to tell people what you’re interested in, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”
Intention really does matter, and if you express a desire for something and show that you are intentional about achieving that goal, the people you talk to will see that and do their part to help you achieve that goal.
