How to Get the Most Out of Your Bachelor’s Degree
June 15, 2023 | by Kandi Buck, Global Campus
Professional Development
Along with earning a degree, professional development can put into action the skills you learn while studying in your program and add more value to your resume. Once students enter the professional world, they may feel that development comes naturally. However, gaining knowledge from other professionals in your industry in a more formal way can teach you skills you need to learn in conjunction with a degree program.
Advice: Ask your advisor if there are any free development programs through your university's professional and workforce development department. Follow your local chamber of commerce's event calendar for free workshops. And connect with your community's small business center, which is usually connected to your university.
Make A Portfolio
A portfolio is excellent to have when you start applying for jobs after graduation. The easiest way to do this project is to work on it as you progress through your degree program. As you build your portfolio, you will be able to see the work you are completing and get better feedback along the way, improving the work you do in the future. Your portfolio can be a simple website or a document.
Tools: Canva is a tool that allows you to make designs with photos and graphics. It is best used to make slides when building a portfolio. Squarespace is a reasonably priced website builder that will allow you to put all your projects on one page.
Join An Association
Being involved is the best way to be competitive in the job market, especially if you are studying online for your bachelor's degree. Joining an association will allow you to connect with alumni and community professionals and practice or build the soft skills you need to thrive in your career. Most professionals can connect with each other regardless of the industry they work in, so when choosing an association to join, it's OK to consider being a part of one that is not necessarily in your market, although you will find better job opportunities with organizations that correlate with your field.
Associations: Many communities have young professional organizations for people under a certain age. Check out some organizations/associations related to specific industries.
Earning a bachelor's degree is time-consuming, and it can take away from some other important things in life. But, if you want to make the most out of it and gain a headstart, land that promotion, and feel confident throughout your career, these additions will help you achieve your goals.
Kandi Buck
Marketing Coordinator
Kandi Buck is the marketing coordinator for the Global Campus at the University of Arkansas. She manages the social media accounts for the Global Campus’ online programs and professional and workforce development. She is working on a master’s in agricultural economics in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.
Professional Workforce Development
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