Peer Career Consultant Blogs

Santa Clara University hosts a plethora of professional development opportunities, skill-building workshops, and recruiter events. However, I know from experience that it can be intimidating to go in “blind” without knowing exactly what to expect. As a Peer Career Consultant, the best advice I can give to students just starting out, is to treat these events as a low-stakes practice field.

The best way to take advantage of the resources SCU provides is to view every event as a learning opportunity. No matter the context, you will gain something by attending and lose absolutely nothing. Even if you aren’t ready to hand out a resume yet, you can attend just to absorb information. Observe how other students ask questions, the way they speak to recruiters, and even how they interact with their peers in a formal setting.

Once you’ve observed, the next step is imitation. Notice how others behave in a professional environment, try on those behaviors, and see what feels most natural for you. Professionalism is a muscle; you have to flex it to make it stronger. I recommend setting small, tangible goals for yourself: attend a career fair and challenge yourself to talk to five new people, or simply make sure you introduce yourself to the students sitting next to you at a panel.

The more you practice and exercise these networking skills, the more they will become second nature. The goal of the Career Center is to help you build a foundation so solid that when a high-pressure opportunity arises, like an interview for your dream internship, you can fall back on your training. Even if you’re feeling those inevitable nerves, your practiced habits will allow you to project poise, confidence, and competence effortlessly. Good Luck!

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