Reading Time: 10 minutes Learn how to get over your fear of networking and make authentic connections to boost your career success, including a 60-second “elevator pitch”.

—Daniel A., Portland State University, Oregon

Let me start with a confession: I was not the world’s best group project member. In fact, I was pretty bad. Why? Because I was focused on the “project” and not the “group,” which means I bulldozed over the humans I had to work with to get that A. Little did I know that I had missed the opportunity to develop important people skills that I am still working on.

Hopefully, some of your group members will be more experienced with, and enthusiastic about, group work than I was. You might be worried if you’re working with a mix of older, younger, more experienced, and less experienced students, but there’s no reason to be. In fact, there are some real benefits to having a mix of ages and experience levels in a group environment. Here are some:

• Students returning to college after time away typically spent time in the job market, and that means they’ve had more time to refine their collaborative skills. Use this to your advantage by asking for their real-world tips on group work. Their experiences can help shape your approach.
• Older students typically know their strengths and weaknesses because they’ve had more time to figure them out. They will likely know where they’ll be most helpful. Just ask.
• Many nontraditional students are juggling full-time work, careers, families, and care-giving with their student life. While that may make them busier, it also makes them more likely to seriously focus on their tasks and want to get the most from the experience.

You might run into a few problems here and there with scheduling, especially if some of your group mates have more responsibilities than others. Here are a few ideas for working through schedule conflicts:

Use your first meeting to establish how many times you’ll need to meet and how long those meetings will be. Then get them on everyone’s calendar.

Be clear about what work can be done remotely. You don’t need to go over every single detail of people’s tasks in person. In fact, a lot of the work can likely be completed independently so you can use the meeting time to review and get on the same page. Clarify what work each of you can do remotely and how you’ll check in when you’re not face-to-face.

Set communication expectations. Exchange contact info, make a group text or chat, or start an email chain to send updates and check in. This can reduce the time needed to meet in person and can make your meetings more efficient.

Use collaborative technology in place of meeting times if scheduling gets hectic. A shared Google Doc or presentation gives everyone the chance to see progress and provide feedback, no matter where they are or what time of day it is.

Once you’ve figured out how to make it work for everyone, figure out how the project is going to work overall. Here are a few more tips:

• Determine individuals’ preferences. Your first meeting should establish who prefers to do what task. Your group members know their strengths and weaknesses, and they should use that knowledge to choose tasks that play to their strengths. Here’s where that experience comes in handy.
• Assign tasks and deadlines…but be flexible. Life will get in the way and humans will do human things—such as not deliver on their task—so be prepared that even if you have a clear plan in place for completing the project, there will need to be adjustments. It’s part of the process!
• Be honest. Ask for group members’ honesty as they work on their tasks. A member can’t deliver what was promised? That member needs to let the group know immediately. Make an agreement that honesty will be encouraged and supported.
• Get it done without malice. Many times, I have been the one who came in at the end and took care of the incomplete tasks, and many times, I had a bad attitude about it. I encourage you to keep focused on the completion of the project and do what is needed without getting angry at group members who didn’t do what they promised. This is a good lesson in meeting “real world” deadlines and working with people effectively.

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Are you doing what you want to do? Heading where you want to head? If you’ve chosen your major and minor, are you confident they will build on your strengths and support your life goals? Sometimes it’s not obvious where we should be going or what we are best suited to. Standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, assess primarily our mathematical and linguistic abilities. But there are more than those two ways to be smart. Recognizing our strengths (and what we need to work on) is key to a satisfying life.

Back in the 1980s, Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of education at Harvard University, contemplated the range of skills that humans use in life and the problem-solving and creative abilities that are valuable to society. That’s when he coined the term “multiple intelligences” and determined that humans demonstrate at least eight categories of smarts.

Hardly anyone will rank high on every type of intelligence. That said, we can harness our strengths, allowing them to guide our personal, academic, and career goals and decisions. We can also improve in the areas that don’t come so naturally to make sure those relative weaknesses don’t hold us back. Click to learn how.

1  Linguistic intelligence

Use words effectively to tell a story, explain, or convince, either in speech or writing—as demoed by journalists, lawyers, and marketers.

If you’re a whiz at reading, writing, and maybe even public speaking, linguistic intelligence is probably one of your strengths.

Natural career fits
Journalist, lawyer, marketing consultant, politician, social media manager, writer/editor

How to develop your linguistic intelligence

• Create a blog to practice your delivery and figure out how to engage others. You can relate it to a career interest or any topic that inspires you.
• Consistent practice will help you brush up on your skills, even if it’s simply for the sake of improving your conversation and email correspondence (which you’ll likely rely on in any career).

“Being more vocal in a conversation, not being intimidated, and being willing to state your opinion are great things to try! If you find it hard to speak with other people, speak in front of a mirror or practice with your close friends/family. Also, recording yourself is a great way to learn our strengths and weaknesses.”
—Laura B., second-year undergraduate, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador

“Read, write, and talk more. [Try] dense and informative topics such as scientific articles, economic forecasts, political writings, and philosophy. It may sound too simple to be true, but just getting more involved in intense subjects like these is actually an outstanding way to improve your linguistics.”
—Reza W.-L., second-year undergraduate, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Hone your vocab with addictive word puzzles

How to start a blog online

2  Logical-mathematic intelligence

Use numbers effectively (e.g., to solve math problems), notice patterns/relationships, and reason clearly—as demoed by scientists, social scientists, and computer programmers.

If you’re the one solving puzzles, calculating how much tip everyone needs to pitch in for the pizza, and deconstructing the fallacies in presidential candidates’ arguments, you’ve got logical-mathematical skills.

Natural career fits

Accountant, actuary, computer programmer, database designer, doctor, engineer, mathematician, website coder

How to develop your logical-mathematical intelligence

• Play Sudoku and crossword puzzles. Relish brainteaser puzzles and riddles.
• Logical thinking goes way beyond math. Question and investigate your and others’ assumptions. Learn to spot the flaws in arguments. Read about human irrationality and biases. Join a debate team.
• Make sure your budget’s working for you. Make or revise your spending plan using apps that help structure and organize the info. (This will cover you in all kinds of ways.)

“Numerical intelligence helps in every aspect of life because logical thinking is the basis for everything. I’ve always been pretty good at math, but I definitely sharpened my critical thinking skills when I debated competitively in high school. It improved my life in so many ways that I feel all students should be strongly encouraged to take part in competitive speech and/or debate.”
—Reza W.-L., second-year undergraduate, New Jersey Institute of Technology

“I was always bad at mental math until I watched these videos [below right]. When I started studying it on my own time and finding the stuff I was interested in (coding and physics), I found a way to appreciate it.”
—Karl J., fourth-year undergraduate, University of Lethbridge, Alberta

Lift up your logic with this fan-favorite puzzle app

Human quirks and foibles and what they mean for us

Tricks that make mental math easy [videos]

3  Spatial intelligence

Think in terms of physical space while being very aware of your environment, indoors and out—as demoed by architects, designers, and guides.

What do escaping mazes, playing video games, constructing objects from a kit, and mentally rearranging stuff have in common? Spatial intelligence—it’s key to success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as visual design and other careers.

Natural career fits

Architect, artist, physicist, civil engineer, game designer, interior decorator, outdoor guide, urban planner

How to enhance your spatial intelligence

• Try navigating your city without GPS. Take a look at your smartphone map and try to get a feeling for your destination in relation to your current location, but then put your phone away. (OK, fine—pull it out again if you get lost.)
• Playing chess boosts your problem-solving ability and creativity—important skills for careers that require spacial intelligence. Playing video games improves a range of spatial tasks. Also, grapple with Tetris, Rubik’s Cube, and other puzzles.
• Make stuff—e.g., build furniture or models from scratch or kits.

“I never really considered how objects relate to each other until I was in my first figure-drawing class in college. Figuring out how the model related to the space around them was both difficult to master and a (surprisingly) crucial piece of my higher education. This has become an important part of my career as a graphic designer.”
—Katie M., recent graduate, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

“Spatial skills are especially important for the sciences because they help you visualize what’s going on in nature without having to actually see it. For example, organic chemistry is heavily based on spatial and 3D thinking because the shapes of molecules determine how they interact with each other.”
—Reza W.-L., second-year undergraduate, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Solve the digital Rubik’s Cube

Play Tetris online

4  Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

Use your own body to express feelings or ideas, or use your hands to transform things—as demoed by dancers, sculptors, surgeons, and mechanics.

If you’ve got great dance moves, a steady hand when crafting, or a natural talent for sports, you’ve also got bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. You have control over your body and can use it to produce small, specific movements (e.g., with your hands) or large, dramatic ones (e.g., with your whole body).

Natural career fits

Actor, athlete, carpenter, craftsperson, dancer, jeweler, mechanic, personal trainer/fitness instructor, sculptor, surgeon

How to enhance your bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

• Join a sports team, dance or martial arts class, or drama group. Ask a friend to sign up with you and pledge to make it a no-judgment zone. This is about doing it and seeing what it does for you.
• Get hands-on. Find activities that involve touch and texture, like braille, massage, sculpture, or knitting.

“Joining my university competitive cheer team and performing in front of big crowds has helped me to build confidence and close friendships. It’s also provided me with many personal fitness goals to work towards. The physical element of stunting, dancing, and tumbling has provided me with a weekly stress buster.”
—Serena C., third-year undergraduate, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario

Find a local sports opportunity

Find free sculpture lessons online

5  Musical intelligence

Understand, create, or express musical forms—as demoed by music critics, composers, DJs, and musicians.

Do you play an instrument, sing, or create the best playlists? Are you always feeling the beat? Your musical skills are likely your strength—even if your singing voice is fit only for the shower.

Natural career fits

Conductor, DJ, music critic, musician, singer, sound engineer, speech therapist, talent agent

What if your dreams don’t align with your ability? “You don’t have to automatically discard your passion if it’s a weakness. You can find an industry that has to do with your passion where you could use your strengths. For example, you may be passionate about singing, but if you’re tone-deaf, it might be better to keep singing as a hobby. You could become a talent scout, a music critic, a concert promoter, or a recording engineer.”
—Hallie Crawford, certified professional career coach, author, and speaker based in Atlanta, Georgia

How to develop your musical moxie

• Learn an instrument or take voice lessons. This takes time and probably money, but is a worthwhile investment if you’re passionate about singing or music.
• Switch up the type of music you listen to. If you’re using Spotify or Google Play Music, challenge yourself to pick a different genre playlist every day. You’ll train your ear to recognize different pitches, melodies, and tones.

“Whether you’re trying to create better playlists or expand your knowledge of music, if you only listen to one genre, you’re limiting yourself. Approaching new artists/genres with an open mind allows you to observe different attributes of the music. I always take note of the background music in offices, stores, my friends’ cars, parties, etc. Music theory classes are a great way to get more knowledge.”
—Taylor R., third-year undergraduate, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, New York

Find free music lessons online

Sing up with this vocal training app

6  Interpersonal intelligence

Understand the moods, intentions, feelings, and motivations of other people, and know how to handle social situations effectively—as demoed by service industry professionals, public relations agents, social workers, and teachers.

Are you the first person your friends come to for advice and one of the last to leave a party? If you’re socially connected and comfortable communicating with almost anyone, your strength likely lies in your interpersonal intelligence.

Natural career fits

Business administrator, hotel or restaurant manager, journalist, nurse, psychologist, public relations agent, salesperson, social worker, teacher

How to lift your interpersonal intelligence

• Rather than sticking to surface-level “Hello” and “How are you?” conversations, make it a goal to have a substantive talk with at least one different person every day. If face-to-face communication is difficult for you, start a conversation online. Try to learn something new about the other person while also sharing something about yourself (keep your personal info private online, though).
• When a friend confides in you, listen. Put yourself in their shoes and consider what would help you in that scenario. Maybe you’re there to hear them without judgment, or help them access additional supports, rather than tell them what to do.

“We read tone differently online, so anything I write in an email I say aloud to myself first. I use the sandwich technique for cushioning messages that deliver bad news: Start off with a positive point, lead into the critique, and finish off with ‘this was good/I like this.”
—Karl J., fourth-year undergraduate, University of Lethbridge, Alberta

“If you’re not feeling confident about your ability to contribute to a conversation or connect, listen and take in the scene. Notice how other people succeed in conversation, email, public speaking, and so on. Practice how to introduce yourself to people in different scenarios: someone you want to network with in your career versus a friend of a friend at a party.”
—Taylor R., third-year undergraduate, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, New York

Cultivate empathy via these six habits

7  Intrapersonal intelligence

Accurately understand yourself (including your strengths, biases, and limitations), and make decisions based on your goals and interests—as demoed by counselors, career coaches, and business owners.

If you’re self-aware enough to recognize your positive traits and flaws, and can catch yourself in rationalizations and denials, bravo. You’re likely self-motivating, adaptable, and thinking about both your short and long-term goals.

Natural career fits

Business owner, entrepreneur, career coach, consultant, counselor, psychologist

How to enhance your intrapersonal intelligence

• Create your own personal development plan. Write down the goals that you’d like to achieve within the next year and reflect on the specific steps and decisions they require. For instance, think about which classes are in line with your career interests and what internship experiences could work for you.
• Think long term: Where do you want to live? What kind of lifestyle do you envision for yourself after graduation? How can your natural strengths and abilities help you get there, and what areas do you want to improve on?
• Apply for scholarships and grants. The application process is a good way to develop perspective on yourself in addition to the other potential bonus (free money).

“Writing in a journal helps me become more introspective, which has caused me to become more aware of myself and my surroundings. It’s been useful at work, when I’m interacting with co-workers, to develop my empathy and understand what they need or where they’re coming from. Plus I know my strengths and I can work to them.”
—Lauren C., fifth-year undergraduate, University of Victoria, British Columbia

Create your personal development plan

Tune into Happier with Gretchen Rubin

8  Naturalist intelligence

Recognize species and natural phenomena in the environment (e.g., flora and fauna, cloud formations, mountains) or apply that same lens to the urban environment—as demoed by conservationists, biologists, and veterinarians.

Do you naturally recognize and build knowledge about the living things around you, like which tree species grow in your neighborhood and which birds live in them? If so, you’ve got naturalist intelligence.

Natural career fits

Anthropologist, botanist, biologist, conservationist, environmental lawyer, florist, geologist, veterinarian, wildlife expert

How to nurture your naturalist intelligence

• Get comfortable with nature. Spending more time outdoors. Plan a camping trip with a friend, and make it a point to learn which plants and animals live in the area.
• If you’re interested in plants, consider starting a garden in your yard (or on campus, if you can negotiate that). Or care for a few indoor plants. You could try growing your own veggies, which will help keep you stocked with healthy ingredients and earn you bragging rights when you treat someone to a “garden to table” meal.

“Naturalistic intelligence can be helpful because you can recognize if there are any changes in the ecosystem, such as if a new plant species starts dominating a park near you. It can be very useful if you have an environmental career or if you are in politics because you can try for ecological solutions. If you put in effort to being aware of things like the type of ecosystem you live in or whether you live in a valley or on a bedrock, you can develop a deeper understanding of the importance of the natural world.”
—Lindsay M., third-year undergraduate, Queen’s University, Ontario

Find out which plants and animals live locally

Check out the 7 easiest veggies to grow at home

How these intelligences might look in your day-to-day life:

• That time you intervened in the awkward conflict at the bar? Your interpersonal instincts helped everyone get comfortable.
• Rocked that class presentation with integrated graphics and tools? Props to your spatial intelligence.
• When you spot the flaws and fallacies in other people’s arguments (whether or not you agree with them), you’re demo-ing logical-mathematical skills.
• When your insightful remix lifted your music grade to an A? Bravo—you have musical strengths.
• Remember your winningest soccer goal? Thank your bodily-kinesthetic abilities.
• Do others admire your self-motivation? That’s a vital intrapersonal skill.

Real life is multidimensional

“When we think about real-world problems, not just those on an IQ test or an exam in school, we see that there are many ways to solve problems, many ways to be smart,” says Dr. Thomas R. Hoerr, author of Becoming a Multiple Intelligences School (ASCD, 2000) and director of New City School in St. Louis, Missouri.

Build your life goals around your strengths

Different careers require different skills. “People who are able to use their strongest intelligences at work are more likely to be successful,” says Dr. Hoerr. “That’s not to say that we can’t improve skill in an intelligence; we can. But it does mean that we will find more success and pleasure when we work in areas in which we have strengths.”

Don’t neglect some of the weaker areas

At the same time, “success” (however we define it) cannot depend on just one or two life skills. “Obviously some [careers] rely heavily on a particular intelligence, but most require a balance of several,” says Mindy L. Kornhaber, associate professor in the Department of Education Policy Studies at Pennsylvania State University. If you are relatively weak in areas that are broadly relevant to productivity and happiness, like interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, look at how you can build those up.

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Student life is full of challenges, sometimes triggering a major case of enough already. You’re probably aware that the campus offers a bunch of services and resources designed to help you be healthy, resilient, and successful. Do they work? In surveys by Student Health 101, you say yes: These services can make the difference between passing or failing, an A or a B, staying in or dropping out. Students often say they regret waiting until they were in a crisis, and wish they’d accessed these resources earlier. Some report that for the longest time they didn’t know certain types of support existed.

Free stuff for students

Campus resources are usually available free or at a low cost. Of course, college gym membership, counseling, and so on are not literally free; their cost is covered by your tuition. If you don’t use them, you’re not getting what you’re paying for. In a recent survey by Student Health 101, more than three out of four college students said this is even more reason to access these services. If you wait until after you’ve graduated to learn yoga or get professional help with your social anxiety, it will likely be costly.

How to know what you have

The availability of resources at any given school depends on various factors. To learn what’s typically available and how can it make your life easier, click on each resource.

Here’s how to make sure you’re not missing out:

• Scour your college website
• Talk with staff, faculty, RAs, mentors, and other students
• Check out any building, event, or publication that suggests resources for students
• Look for student jobs and other opportunities to work with campus resource centers
• Review your orientation resources (e.g., Class of 2020 Facebook page)

Academic tutoring, office hours, and study support

“The tutoring center has helped me more than words can describe. I finally understand the work I’m doing, plus it’s free! I went from being an average student to being above average and helping other kids in my classes.”
—Fifth-year undergraduate, University of New Mexico

“They helped me bring my essay writing up to over 80 percent grade-level, elevating my writing ability from high school to university quality in one session.”
—Fifth-year online undergraduate, Trent University, Ontario

Academic advising

“It’s the difference between passing and not passing classes, going to summer school vs. not going.”
—Third-year undergraduate, California State University, Stanislaus

“Without my advisor, I would be so lost on which classes to take when. She provides me with opportunities outside of just choosing classes to better myself in my career.”
—Third-year undergraduate, Northern Michigan University

Recreational and fitness resources

“I wish I had started taking advantage of the recreation center and gym earlier, especially while access is free. Exercise is so important to staying healthy and happy, but I didn’t realize how big of an impact it can have.”
—Third-year undergraduate, Texas Christian University

“Changed my lifestyle and health habits completely.”
—First-year graduate student, University of North Dakota

Library services

“Getting support from librarians and library staff has saved me hours of work on papers and projects.”
—Fifth-year undergraduate, Michigan Technological University

“I rented textbooks from the library, which saved me a lot of money.”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, University of Windsor, Ontario

Disability, injury, and illness accommodations and services

“It changed everything. I finally felt like I was on an even playing field with my peers and didn’t have to stress that my condition was setting me back any more.”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, Stanford University, California

“I got sick with mono and didn’t go for help, and my grades went down. I wish I would have said something sooner to get time to finish school work.”
—Third-year undergraduate, Michigan Technological University

Counseling

“The counseling center helped me more than any paid therapist ever has. They helped me nearly overcome my phobia and deal with substance abuse and sexual assault.”
—Third-year undergraduate, University of Memphis, Tennessee

“It made a huge difference in helping me understand myself and relate easier to fellow students.”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, Berea College, Kentucky

Health services

“The health center saved me a lot of money, because I don’t have good insurance coverage.”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, University of West Georgia

“Excellent system, easy to access, and the doctors are very friendly. I wish I didn’t have so many hesitations and went to them sooner.”
—Third-year undergraduate, Mount Royal University, Alberta

Career services

“Make use of small amounts of time you get in the day to access career support. This can make an enormous difference in how prepared you are.”
—Third-year undergraduate, University of Miami, Florida

“It helped me a lot in preparing for job interviews and fixing up my résumé, and the facility is really great about [facilitating] different opportunities and connections.”
—Second-year undergraduate, Johnson and Wales University, Rhode Island

Residence life and mentoring

Financial support

Support for minority communities

Title IX (anti-discrimination) services

Your wish list: What you'd like to see on campus

These responses came from students at numerous colleges and universities across the US and Canada. Some of these resources may be available at your school.

• Free coffee
• Public sleep/nap areas
• Dance rooms or public art spaces
• Prayer room
  
• Sign language
• Drivers Ed
• Easier access to rental vehicles
• Support with budgeting, filing taxes, and legal issues
• Summer rec. center access
• Vegetarian/vegan dining stations
  
• Groups supporting eating healthy on residence meal plan
• Gender-neutral bathrooms and housing
• Clubs and scholarships for first-generation students
• Better support for transfer students
• Resources for young parents
• Resources for disabled students to gain life skills

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Internships are the “new interview”—your most likely route to a job, according to surveys of students, graduates, and employers. Here, experts say why.

Question: How much does an internship matter to employers?
Answer: A whole lot. “Practical experience is probably the number one thing that will move a resume toward the top of the pile.” — Jeff Reep, director of career services at Cedarville University, Ohio, and a certified professional career coach.

Question: What exactly can an internship do for me?
Answer: Provide essential experience and contacts. “Internships are oftentimes not only a learning experience but also a networking pathway to your first job. The more people you know in an industry, the better your chances.” —Lainee Beigel, attorney and founder of career coaching company Career Esquire, New York.

Question: I’m not sure what career I’m aiming for, so how can I choose an internship?
Answer: Think skill development. “Internships do not need to match up exactly with the job you apply for after school. Many practical skills are transferable across various industries.” —Lainee Beigel

Question: I can’t afford to take an unpaid internship.Am I doomed?
Answer: No. “Career-focused internships are preferable. However, it’s important to think about what skills and qualities you can emphasize. For example, as a waiter, you had to employ people skills and problem solving skills that can be applied to any job in any industry.” —Lauren Griffin, senior vice president at Adecco, a recruitment company in Boston.

Question: How can I make my summer serving ice-cream sound like a UN position?
Answer: You can’t. “Do not lie or embellish your resume or the jobs you did. You will be busted.” —Dana Manciagli, career coach, and author, based in Washington State.

Seven out of ten companies with 100+ employees offered full-time roles to their interns in 2012. They expected to hire more interns going forward.

Two in three employers say relevant work experience and interview performance are the most important factors in hiring (well ahead of academic performance).

Have a plan
5 steps to an intriguing internship & how they apply to two examples:

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Midterms month: time to evaluate our national or local leaders, get into bitter online arguments, and even vote. But as much as we complain when our leaders fall short of our expectations, we all know that leadership is a profoundly important resource in both civic and professional life. And even if we’re not headed for politics, we’re all headed for the job market.

In the context of your future career, you might be wondering:

• What exactly is professional leadership?
• What will leadership skills mean for my career?
• Which personal characteristics are the most important for leadership?
• What if I don’t have a “leader’s” personality or skill set?
• How can I gain leadership experience as a student?
• How can I present those skills to future employers?

For stories of two students who developed their leadership skills in different ways, read further.

“Roles and responsibilities I had never had before”
Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

William Edwards, 19
University of Central Arkansas in Conway
Degree: Health sciences/physical therapy

Program
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) provides men and women with an opportunity to prepare for service in the Army. “We make leaders from day one,” says Major Todd Gray, associate professor of military science at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Students who enroll in the ROTC “learn not just how to lead in the Army, but also at any company as soon as they graduate.”

More information.

What & why
William, a native of Texas, had turned down several soccer scholarships. He wanted a new way to challenge himself. “In the ROTC, I was instantly put into new roles and responsibilities. I had to organize my team and make sure they had all their equipment, showed up on time, and did their jobs. I was responsible for leading them from day one. In this program you learn to do things differently and take criticism.”

After
“I have surprised myself in my abilities to do things that I didn’t know I could do, like being a good time manager and commanding respect from my cadets.”

New goals
“I am committed to finding more opportunities to push me harder than I would push myself, whether that means taking on larger responsibilities each year, or something as simple as being the first to go at a task.”

Advice
“ROTC is a great thing to do and you can try it out without committing to it. Trying new things can’t hurt you.”

“Ideas are easy, practice is hard”
Disability advocacy academy

Lydia Brown, 21
Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Degree: Arabic major, psychology minor

Program
The Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Summer Leadership Academy brings together students on the autism spectrum for training in disability advocacy.

More information.

What & why
“We should be celebrating the diversity of students with disabilities, rather than trying to ‘cure’ them” (a concept known as neurodiversity), says Lydia. She was concerned too about the barriers to higher education facing students with disabilities. She helped create the No Wrong Door project, a listing of resources for students with disabilities; organized letter-writing campaigns, boycotts, and protests; and drafted legislation. When her school announced a panel on autism, she successfully advocated for the inclusion of an autistic person.

After
“I developed a much clearer idea of what leadership looks like. It is very easy to organize people around an idea, but very hard to put it into practice.”

New goals
“I founded the non-profit organization Washington Metro Disabled Students Collective to fill the gaps that still exist for students with disabilities.”

Advice
“Find leadership programs that line up with your values and passion.”

Which qualities do you most admire in our national leaders?

“I admire people who do not strive for fame but work hard fighting for human rights and equality.”
Dana G.*, fourth-year student at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
*Name changed for privacy

“I admire anyone who knows the value they bring to the table. Everyone has different sets of skills and talents. Also I respect those who know when to let others shine and step back.”
Jorge Z., third-year student at Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin

“I admire any person who not only looks out for our country financially but also socially. America is one of the newest countries that holds any power in the world. I pride myself on our ability to accept differences and be pro-social change.”
Elaine R., fourth-year student at Towson University, Maryland

“Anyone who is self-sacrificing. Who puts themselves last. Who does not have an agenda.”
Laura E., University of West Georgia in Carrollton

Which US politicians do students most admire—and most despise?

Most admired:

• Hillary Clinton [D] Former Secretary of State
• George W. Bush [R] Former President
• Elizabeth Warren [D] Senator
• Barack Obama [D] President
• Ron Paul [R] Former Representative
• Bill Clinton [D] Former President
• Ronald Reagan [R] Former President

Most despised:

• Hillary Clinton [D] Former Secretary of State
• George W. Bush [R] Former President
• Barack Obama [D] President
• John Boehner [R] Speaker, House of Representatives
• Mitt Romney [R] Former Presidential nominee
• Sarah Palin [R] Former Vice Presidential nominee
• Paul Ryan [R] Representative

Source: Student Health 101 survey. 750 students responded to this question.

Students’ top leaders: dead or alive

1. “My mother”
2. Martin Luther King Jr.
3. Barack Obama
4. Jesus Christ
5. Abraham Lincoln
6. F.D. Roosevelt
7. Mahatma Gandhi
8. Nelson Mandela
9. Ronald Reagan
10. Bill Clinton
11. “My father”

Source: Student Health 101 survey. 780 students responded to this question.

Which personal qualities do students rank highest for leadership?

1. Confidence
2. Communication
3. Honesty
4. Ability
5. Organization
6. Respect
7. Decisions
8. Good listener
9. Trustworthy
10. Empathy
11. Patience
12. Motivation
13. Caring
14. Reliable
15. Open-minded

Student Health 101 survey, June 2014

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How can you maximize your career prospects in our fast-evolving professional world? How can you use your time at college to position yourself for the job market you’ll face after graduation? The Job Prob, our monthly series, guides you through the steps.

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How is the professional world treating new graduates, anyway? What can you expect?

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Leadership skills: What they’re worth to employers, and how to get them.

Rain or shine?

We’ve all heard the reports of rising unemployment, slow job growth, and a bleak job outlook for recent graduates. The net worth of young adults has declined in the last thirty years, according to the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan research organization. This forecast has been unsettling to college students who are banking on landing that perfect (or at least decent) job after they graduate.

But your job prospects are brighter than you might have realized. While some occupational prospects continue to decline, the overall job market is looking up—especially for recent college graduates.

Students can use their college years strategically, acquiring the skill sets, practical experience, and networks that will position them for success in their careers.

To capitalize on this pick-up in employment prospects, use your college years strategically.

Mostly sunny

Nineteen of the 30 occupations that are projected to grow the fastest in the next eight years require postsecondary education, according to the US Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The employment scene for new graduates looks good,” says Tiffany Johnson, associate director of career services at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

In addition, hiring is picking up overall.  The class of 2014 will benefit from an eight percent increase in hiring over last year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations, 70 percent are in a health-related field—in part because our population is aging—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is good news for graduates in the sciences and health-care fields. Other growth industries include government, finance, insurance, real estate, and retail trade, according to NACE.

In case of a rainy day

There is rough weather ahead for certain occupations. Jobs in fields such as agriculture, postal services, photography, and broadcast journalism—where technological advances have displaced workers—are declining significantly.

Your academic résumé

Students who are not majoring in hot fields can round out their skill set and improve their marketability through strategic choice of courses. “If you are a liberal arts major, you should absolutely follow your passions. That said, even though you might not love business or accounting or marketing, it’s valuable to have a course or two that at least exposes you to a different kind of language. You’re in a risk-free environment: Why not take the opportunity to learn something new and challenge yourself?” says Nicolette Sherman, vice president responsible for human resources, at Sanofi North America, a leading healthcare company.

Practical experience and initiative

Employers are looking for candidates with practical experience, such as internships. They also value graduates who have developed their leadership and communication skills, or participated in international exchanges that demonstrate cross-cultural awareness.

“When I look at resumes I’m interested in how savvy people have been about how they invested their discretionary efforts,” says Ms. Sherman. “You’ve got to be able to show you’re going to take the initiative, that you have drive and passion, and you are motivated by your interests.”

Follow The Job Prob for:

• Strategic choice of courses
• Developing leadership skills
• Practical experience
• Building your network
• Revitalizing your resume
• Leveraging your online profile
• The job hunt

Top 5 growing fields

• Engineering
• Health care
• Construction
• Education
• Food services