How Well does UVA Prepare you for the Real World? (pt. 2)

Have you read part one yet? It’s all about how classes and clubs can help solidify your knowledge in a field. At the end of the day, the only way to be sure of your skills is just jump in and start working.

Coffee Chats

What better way to know whether you’re prepared to work a field than to hear what it’s like from an industry professional? A coffee chat is just one version of a discussion-style lecture with a representative of a company, where they’ll take you through what it’s like to work at that company and answer any questions about the profession you may have. Many professional-development oriented clubs, like the Black Commerce Student Network or the Society of Women Engineers, host these types of events. And while they’re open to everyone, odds are they’ll tell you to come back when you’re a third year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try your luck. And who knows, maybe you’ll luck into an internship. There’s no better way to find out whether you like something than to spend a summer doing it. And if nothing else, usually these events come with pizza - who doesn’t love free food?

Working with Professors

If you took a class you love in a field you want to pursue, why not become a teaching assistant? Answering questions will solidify any gaps in your knowledge about the course content, and working with the professor is a great networking opportunity. Not to mention you’ll make a few bucks in the process. Or did you hear that a professor was working on a really cool research project in a field you’re interested in? These projects are full of experimentation and problem solving. If you’re looking to push the boundaries of what you know and get a really deep understanding of a subject, research is the way to go.

Internships

Noticing a trend here? It’s no surprise that I’d recommend getting some real world experience in the field. Getting an internship may be challenging your first few summers at UVA, but it’s not impossible. Make sure to stop by the career center to get help building a solid resume; they’re experts on helping students land the job of their dreams. And even if you don’t think you have enough experience to pad out a resume, chances are they’ll be able to think of something that you’re overlooking. At the very least you can grab a booklet from outside of the career center full of tips and advice on everything from resume building to negotiating salaries. (For my fellow engineers, they’re usually in Thornton A-Wing across from the career center. You’re welcome.)

Just take advantage of the opportunities around

UVA is rife with opportunities to further your professional development, and being successful is all about taking advantage of what’s offered to you. There’s no definitive way to say you’ll be perfectly suited to a job - for the majority of professions there’s always going to be something new you have to learn. But mastering the skill of learning as you go will work wonders for your continued professional success.