Describe your job search process. What were some challenges you faced or things you learned from the experience?

I faced various challenges while searching for a job. I found that I wanted to work outside and make real change, and most jobs in Tallahassee are customer service oriented or simply crunching numbers. I also found that, with all of the FSU students in town, it was very difficult to find openings in the few places I was interested in working at.

If you used any Career Center services, resources, or events to obtain your job offer, what were they? How did they support your application process?

In my Introduction to Career Development class, we used a variety of online tools to determine what kind of work best suits us depending on our personalities and interests. This class is closely linked to the Career Center, and therefore the Career Center indirectly helped me realize what type of work I would like to do. Without them, I may not have realized what I want to do. Furthermore, the Career Center is reviewing and providing a critique of my resume currently. They want to assist me any way they can.

Have you participated in any experiential learning opportunities (Internships, volunteer experiences, research, leadership roles, military experience, etc.)? How have these prepared you for moving into a full-time role?

I have actively searched for jobs that are outside of my comfort zone in order to gain valuable experience. For example, I worked for the government of Jacksonville as a camp counselor for children over the 2022 summer. This, along with my other work and volunteer experiences, has prepared me and informed me of what type of jobs I like or dislike. It's important to know what you dislike before taking a full-time job.

What advice do you have for current students that will be launching a full-time professional job search?

For current students looking for a full-time job, I would say continue to search for what you want and do not compromise. If you aren't sure about a certain job, ask about internships or part-time work first.