I wrote this online article for The Ohio State University Office of Student Life department Buckeye Careers. The article ran during finals week in early December and featured ways students could get a head start on career planning during winter break.

I met with the Buckeye Careers team before writing to understand what main points they wanted to emphasize to students. I shared a first draft with the Buckeye Careers assistant director and appreciated her perspective as the subject matter expert. She coaches students on elevator pitches every day so knows the best way to present the information. In her edits, it was helpful for me to know that students don’t necessarily think of themselves as experts so asking them to “showcase their expertise” isn’t the right language. 

I wanted the tips to be practical for busy students and presented in a light-hearted tone with festive headlines. Students have a lot of resources available at Ohio State and it can be overwhelming to know where to turn for help. My goal was to write clearly, not hiding the information.

Featured on Student Life home page:

Your Student Life: Winter Break Personal and Professional Tips

December 3, 2024

Winter break is a time for rest and relaxation but it’s also an opportunity to start thinking about your well-being and your future career. Here are a few ways you can set yourself up for personal and professional success while still enjoying holiday traditions, hot chocolate and cozy fireplaces.

Here comes internships: Think ahead about future plans
BuckeyeCareers wants to remind students that it’s never too early to start thinking about internships. There are some employers recruiting year-round and some who are hiring for their internship programs a year ahead.

Make a calendar and check it twice: Plan out which spring semester career fairs to attend
Look in Handshake to see the schedule of upcoming virtual and in-person career fairs. Register for the ones that interest you and mark the dates on your calendar. Also, check in Handshake for any type of career-related events, including workshops and follow employers you are interested in to receive notifications when they post new jobs, host a workshop or plans to attend an event on campus.

Out with the old, in with the new year: Update your resume as well as your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles
Halfway through the school year is the time to reflect back on the skills you’ve gained and projects completed. Add these relevant experiences to your resume as well as your Handshake and LinkedIn profiles. Make sure they showcase the breadth of skills you could bring to a role. Be sure to include campus employment on your resume because it’s real-world work experience where you learn important skills like leadership, professionalism, teamwork, communication and critical thinking.

Rockin’ around the elevator: Develop your introduction pitch
Take time to think through how you want to introduce yourself to potential employers at networking events and career fairs. This short introduction is called your elevator pitch because it’s a way for you to “sell yourself” and should last about as long as an elevator ride. Your elevator pitch should include:

–          Who you are: Your name and something unique about you like your year in school and major

o   Hello, my name is ____________ and I am completing a ____________ degree in ____________ at The Ohio State University.

–          Your future career goals and career interests

o   I am interested in a career/internship in ____________ in the ____________ field/ industry.

–          How you’ve been exploring that interest

o   I have been involved during college in ____________.

–          Key skills or experiences that show how you are qualified

o   And developed skills in ____________. I have also had an internship/employment position as a ____________ with ____________ and discovered that I really enjoy ____________.

–          A question or request for help

o   Could you tell me more about ____________? 

Practice saying your elevator pitch so it feels authentic. The more you say your elevator pitch the more comfortable you’ll become when it’s time to introduce yourself to a hiring manager or recruiter.

Sleigh bells ring: Schedule a career coaching appointment
It’s not too early to make an appointment to meet with a career coach who can give you individual guidance. Buckeye Careers’ career coaches help you clarify your goals, develop an individualized career plan, provide feedback on resumes/CVs and cover letters, as well as practice interviewing skills. To make an appointment, log in to your Handshake account, click “Career Center,” and click “Appointments.” You can also drop in for a quick career question by going to Handshake, “Events”  and searching “Buckeye Careers: Drop-In Appointments.”

Buckeye Careers and your college’s career office are here to help you prepare for a successful career. Take advantage of the resources available to you, like Handshake and the numerous career fairs, workshops and networking opportunities offered throughout the academic year. Also, follow Buckeye Careers for Students on LinkedIn to get timely updates on events and insightful tips to help you feel confident in your search.

Debbie Wakefield

Marketing Specialist
Office of Student Life