“What are you doing this summer?”
“Do you have an internship?”
“What professionals are you in contact with?”
These are the dreaded questions no college student wants to hear, especially one looking to break into marketing or communications. Comparison is the thief of joy, and unfortunately, “comparison” is practically today’s students’ middle name. As the end of the semester rolls in, college students everywhere are stressing over their futures, worrying they won’t obtain the career opportunities they’re hoping for.
As a marketing or communications student, any experience is good experience. To combat everlasting career anxiety, here are five ways you can act now to be successful later:
Build a creative portfolio
What’s better than speaking about your work? Showcasing it. A digital portfolio is not only a great talking point, but also a way to differentiate yourself from potential competition. Portfolios exemplify who you are as a professional and enable you to highlight your personality. Your portfolio can include campaign mockups, freelance work, social media graphics, and even a passion project you completed for fun. Employers love to see action, and a portfolio simultaneously demonstrates professionalism and real experience. Try bringing your ideas to life with Picsart’s Ad Maker.
Network with alumni and professionals
Nothing shows you’re a good communicator quite like networking does. Countless jobs are obtained through networking, which confirms that there’s significant value in building a network of connections. Universities often hold guest speaker events, alumni discussions, and mentorship meetings. Conversing with industry experts and school alumni can be a great way to advocate for yourself in a dynamic field, like marketing.
Join on-campus marketing and communications groups
Student organizations are beneficial for more reasons than one. They allow you to obtain leadership positions, practice communicating with like-minded individuals, and open the door for career exploration. Many marketing professionals recommend gaining initial experience early on to build the knowledge and skill set needed to aid the transition into more senior roles that align with your ultimate career goals.
Take initiative on a passion project
A passion project is an amazing piece for your portfolio, and can highlight your key interests. Whether it’s pitching a campaign for a local coffee shop or rebranding your favorite clothing store, passion projects serve to showcase your creative skills while reflecting your drive and interest in marketing.
Advocate for yourself and don’t let fear stop you
It’s cliché, and you may have heard it a hundred times, but sometimes, we are our worst critics. It can be nerve-racking to send that first email, even if it’s just a short introduction about who you are and the opportunity you’re looking for. At the end of the day, advocating for yourself builds both contacts and confidence. Ask to shadow someone at a local PR agency during holiday break, or show interest in interning at a local firm. All it takes is one response, one “yes.” The best opportunities are right in front of you.
No matter where you are in your college journey, remember that progress is built through consistency. The more you explore, connect, and create, the more confidence and knowledge you’ll build along the way. Marketing is a field that rewards curiosity and initiative, so give yourself room to experiment and grow (and now is the perfect time to do this). The work you’re putting in now is laying a foundation for future opportunities.
Author: Lindsey Levine
Empowering the Creator in Everyone
Picsart is the world’s largest digital creation platform. Its AI-powered tools give creators of all levels the ability to design, edit, draw and share photo and video content anywhere. It’s used by consumers, marketers and content creators for both personal and professional design, and is available to businesses via API partnerships and integrations. Picsart has collaborated with major artists and brands like Discord, PopSockets, Shopify, Taylor Swift and more. Download the app or visit picsart.com.
