Your college years will be some of the most enjoyable of your life. You’ll meet new people, form lifelong friendships and set yourself up for a successful career, which makes choosing a college one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Keeping in mind that getting a good job right out of school isn’t always the plan for everyone, it remains important to evaluate a college based on how well it prepares its students for an increasingly competitive job market. Here’s how you can better prepare for a job after college.

There’s no substitute for a high-quality education. Some schools have massive student populations and high-profile athletics, while others have name recognition and storied histories. But what matters most, above all else, is the type of education you receive. What is the quality of programming at the schools you’re interested in, especially as it relates to the majors you’re considering? At Daemen University, you receive a sophisticated liberal arts-based education made whole by an inclusive curriculum and bolstered by an impressive 12:1 student-to-professor ratio. That commitment to quality spells lifelong success for graduates.  

No one expects you to know what you want to do when you enter college. That’s part of what earning a college education is all about: finding yourself. But it is important that you look at the career support system in place at the school you’re considering. How active are they? What kind of roadmaps are in place to help students on the path to career success?

At Daemen University, our Career Services Department helps every student define their professional goals by creating an Individualized Career Action Plan (iCap). You receive a step-by-step plan that walks you through the necessary career-focused actions—from resume building to connecting with potential employers at Career Networking Events on campus. Career and job fairs are extremely helpful in making professional connections. So be sure that the schools provide them early and often so you can meet potential employers and ask them what they look for in job candidates. This gives you a leg-up on your competition once you graduate.

You’re no stranger to creating social media profiles. So once you become a college student, be sure to become a user of Handshake. This platform helps students find their desired careers. It’s a great way to schedule interviews, network with professionals and hopefully land your dream job.

Learning in the classroom gives you the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed as a professional. But gaining hands-on experience in a real-world environment allows you to immediately hit the ground running once you graduate. This is especially important if you’re looking for a career in a health-related field or education. So be sure to look at options for clinical placements. How soon can students begin in-classroom or field experiences? For example, Daemen education students begin their in-classroom experiences during their first year. Get more information about internship opportunities at Daemen University here.

Does the school provide multiple options for experiential learning? Examples may include service learning, site visits, study abroad programs, and field work. You can learn more about the Department of Service Learning at Daemen University here.