I am dedicating this post to all University students and Graduates. In 2016, I began my master’s programme in Business Psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus immediately after completing the compulsory military training in Nigeria. The course was quite challenging because I had a different academic background. To God’s glory, I graduated in 2018.
There was a huge sense of relief from academics; however, there was a welcome party in my mind for the reality of life: JOB SEARCH! Most university students and graduates know this feeling! The job search year was quite daunting, so I decided to start my coaching business in Nigeria.
In retrospect, I can say the mistakes I made were: waiting till graduation before having a plan and not having a mentor while in school. I’m glad I realized that quickly and took the proper steps when I graduated.
Related: Mistakes that can ruin your career.
Luckily, I had the opportunity to coach some students and graduates when I worked in an HR firm in 2018. One of our sessions was about career mistakes to avoid.
Today, I’ll be sharing some of the common career mistakes made by university students and graduates, so grab a cup of tea, pen and a notebook. Let’s begin.
1. Not having a professional CV.
Your CV shows your career achievements, skills and qualifications. Most students and graduates wait till they are ready to get a job before creating a CV. The truth is you need a have a professional CV before applying for a job.
Due to the pandemic, there’s an increase in the request for video CVs from employers. Therefore, it’s also advisable to make a video CV.
2. Lacking business and entrepreneurial skills.
It’s not uncommon to start a business immediately after your graduation. If this is your goal, then learn and improve your business and entrepreneurial skills. Most students do not create a business in school, such as trading, tutoring, etc. No matter how small, starting a business in school will increase your client base and improve your business skills.
3. Being afraid to take risks.
It’s normal to feel scared of changes and challenging opportunities but what can help you scale through is having a mentor, believing in yourself, and learning from whatever the outcome may be.
4. Not volunteering.
Most students get involved with activities that can boost their experience and be on their CV. Though student life can be demanding, it is essential to find opportunities to volunteer.
5. Having no professional goals.
It’s lovely to feel the rush of excitement as a recent graduate; however, there’s a whole new life ahead of you. Some people decide to take a gap year for various reasons, but ultimately, it’s essential to know how you want your future to be. If you are in a phase of uncertainty, this next point will come in handy.
6. Not having mentors.
Mentors are people who can guide you in your career path. They’ve walked in your shoes before you so they can provide sound advice on issues you face. They are your career guardian angels. Most students believe they will find a mentor when they start working, but your mentors can be your lecturer, HOD, and Dean can be your mentor. The importance of having a mentor early in life is that they prevent you from making avoidable mistakes and offer career guidance. Not everyone knows how to find fulfilment in their career hence the need for a mentor.
7. Having irrelevant experiences.
I shared with you about my career change from accounting to business psychology. Before starting my coaching business, one of my aunty’s friends told me I had professional experience(accounting) but no relevant job experience in human resources. If you desire a career change, it’s essential to get relevant experience in your new field.
8. Not assisting others.
The major mistake most graduates and students make is only to accept paid jobs. This point is similar to the volunteering activities I mentioned earlier, but the difference is, you create the opportunity for yourself. For instance, you can offer to help someone in your department who is struggling academically by organizing tutorial sessions. The importance of rendering help is that you build connections, get equipped with helpful information about your career (you can’t teach what you don’t know), and hopefully, the people may help you in the future.
9. Relying solely on parental support for a job.
Although this has been an effective method of getting a job due to parents’ connections, you can get a job by yourself when things seem slow from their end.
There are trusted sites that can link you with various employers. Asides from online job search, you can get a job by attending events virtually or physically, posting your expertise on social media, and so on.
In conclusion, learn from every experience and keep hoping and working smart for the best.
If you love this blog, kindly share the posts with your friends and loved ones. It will mean a lot to me to know your thoughts in the comments. Love, Grace
