<p>I am a first year at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. I am a business major and have a guaranteed place in the Business School as long as I keep a 3.0.</p>
<p>It felt that, in HS, I knew what I had to do to get into a good college: leadership, extracurriculars, be interesting, etc.</p>
<p>I feel like I have no idea what it takes to get a decent job after a graduation. I am scared that I will be unemployed after graduation, stuck at a low-paying job or even worse - a job that I hate. </p>
<p>I was wondering what I should be doing between now and my senior year to make make sure that I have many opportunities available when I get out of college - whether it be consulting, law school, going to graduate school, working at HR at a firm, or even ibank. (I really have no idea what I am going to be doing!) </p>
<p>I think all I know so far is that I have to keep a decent GPA (but I don't even know what is considered decent!), that I should network, and that I should get internships (but don't know how!)</p>
<p>Maybe somebody here can guide me a little through how it really feels like to try and find a job!</p>
<p>It's going to be a bit awkward at first. You're going outside of your comfort zone to go to the career center, and it will be very new to go into a job where you're doing more than filing. Get to know your professors (even ask questions about their research) and see they might know in the private sector, but as BO5TOn says, its all internships.</p>
<p>Internships, for sure. (go to career center)
Network through proff and internships as well as students (join a club)
Keep you gpa up</p>
<p>Apply for jobs; put your application in for bank teller positions or similar positions that don't require anything more than a HS education but will be more than flipping burgers (may get direction at career center). The work experience will be rewarding, might lead to good things, helps the network, might give insight to what you want to do, and helps with interview skills.</p>
<p>If there is an organization on campus that is related to your major, get involved. Take a leadership role at some point. </p>
<p>When companies are on campus, make it a point to attend information sessions and converse with the speakers. Come with an understanding of the company (ie research their website) and have some questions in the back of your head but let all conversations flow naturally. I would try to get business cards when I could, but don't be too pushy. Also, be cognizant of your peers as you don't want to annoy them (or the recruiters) by taking up too much of the employers time.</p>
<p>If you are interested in a company and received contact information, follow up with an e-mail thanking them for the information session and telling them that you are very interested in the company (and/or u can ask additional questions here). If you made a good connection with one of them at the info session this will definitely help.</p>
<p>Be prepared for your interviews. Just because you made a connection or spent considerable time with a company, doesn't ensure you have the job. If you mess up the interview it could be game over regardless. Also, for that reason, don't just key in on one employer. ALWAYS keep your options open. Make sure that you don't burn any bridges with other companies after you have an offer. I've seen offers rescinded, so definitely remain cordial with other recruiters.</p>
<p>make friends with as many snooty rich kids as you can, those are the ones with the connections who will have the best jobs. A job they might consider as a joke and hand you, may be considered a great job for you. Personally, I know quite a few students who have got their foot in the door in organizations they would never have dreamed of, thanks to a few well connected classmates whos parents of friends put in a word.</p>