College days can be a stepping stone for students looking to enter the competitive job market in their chosen field. To distinguish yourself from the competition, it is important to start grooming yourself from college. Let us look at a few ways you can prepare yourself in college.

2. • College days can be a stepping stone for students looking to enter
the competitive job market in their chosen field. To distinguish
yourself from the competition, it is important to start grooming
yourself from college. Let us look at a few ways you can prepare
yourself in college.

3. • Enhance soft skills
• Generic soft skills like communication, leadership, collaboration,
and time management hold an important place in an employer’s
diary when they look for prospective employees. College
students can develop soft skills by participating in group
activities by taking a lead role in it.

4. • Develop self-management skills
• While in college, one should start learning to get things done on
their own and not wait for professors or friends to take the
initiative. Being reliable for your actions will boost your self-
confidence. Schedule a weekly or monthly plan to follow up for
your studies.

5. • Get an internship or part-time job
• Having a prior experience in your field will not only expand your
subject knowledge but would also give you an edge over others
while you apply. Do not worry if the internship pays you less.
Gain maximum number of recommendations from your
professors and lecturers as it will help build your image in your
curriculum vitae.

6. • Become a subject matter expert
• You should be very clear with your basics in the subject you are
specializing in. Technical students can stay updated with the
latest technologies and software. For humanities, students
should understand the latest questions and debates being
discussed in the current period. For business and commerce,
students can stay updated by reading a lot of news about
business updates on what is happening in the market.

7. • Connect with friends and professors
• Surround yourself with helpful and valuable people who can
add meaning to your work. Create a network of peers who will
not only bring challenge to your task but also lend a helping
hand to increase your pace of learning. Engage with professors
and learn new practices to get things done. Take an active role
in group discussions and projects.

8. • Network with industry mentors
• Network with industry and company executives. You can meet
corporate leaders at various offline or online events. With the
success of social networking websites like Twitter and Linkedin,
the world has become more connected than ever. It is easier to
get in touch with your heroes and corporate idols.

9. • Take part in seminars and conferences
• Most cities and towns host career seminars about motivation or
career advice. Conferences are also a good ground to understand
what skill set you need to develop or what avenues you can explore,
given your strengths and weaknesses.
• Get the fundamentals right
• There is no substitute to hard work. If you have not worked hard and
studied the basics with honesty and mastered them, life could be
difficult after college. Spend time in the library, be inquisitive, ask
questions, and try to maximize your learning of the application of the
concepts. A sound understanding of what you learn in college goes a
long way in impressing your peers and seniors in the corporate
world.
• All the above discussed ways can help you become job ready while
you are in college. Of course, there are other snippets of advice your
teachers, parents, and loved ones will give you. Listen and learn
from their experiences as well. After all, learning never stops.