Internships: How to Assess Career Readiness

Do you wonder how well you'll do in the profession when you graduate from college? Internships, co-ops, and other work experiences are a great way to improve your skills and get feedback from your employers about how you measure up against key qualities that companies value. These qualities include critical thinking, teamwork, and professionalism. By taking on various roles within an internship or co-op, you can get a better sense of what area you might want to specialize in and also get a feel for what it's like to work within a team environment.

A Concentration on Today's Workforce Skills:

While colleges and universities have just always worked to prepare students for important abilities in their fields, institutions are now focusing on the behavioural competencies or soft skills that employers want. This has become increasingly important in a workplace which has been significantly enhanced by automation and technology.

However, while soft skills really aren't explicitly taught in schools, internships as well as other collaborative projects or job simulations can be among the most productive ways for students to develop these competencies.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) knows a lot about what students need to do to succeed in their careers. The NACE Center for Career Development and Talent Acquisition does research and works with others to create a shared understanding of what it takes for students to get started and keep moving forward in their careers. It has established eight competencies that are linked to high-demand talents within employers. The following are the NACE competencies and brief meanings:

Career and self-development: Using learning sources and taking advantage of professional growth possibilities.

Communication: Exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with people inside and outside of an organisation in a clear and effective way.

Being able to understand and respond to the circumstances surrounding you is an essential critical thinking skill. Equity and inclusion in the workplace are important for a variety of reasons. For one, it shows that you are aware of the diverse range of perspectives and experiences that your employees bring to the table. Additionally, workplace diversity can also help improve communication and collaboration among employees. By valuing equity and inclusion in the workplace, you are demonstrating your commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive environment for all employees. Lastly, leadership is another highly sought-after quality in today's job market.

Leadership:

Recognizing and leveraging on personal and team capabilities to achieve goals

Professionalism is defined as understanding and displaying effective work habits - even in different situations - and behaving in the best interests of the bigger business.

Teamwork is the process of establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with the purpose of achieving a common goal while respecting varied perspectives and shared responsibilities.

Understanding and responsibly exploiting technology to improve efficiency, complete tasks, and achieve goals

A increasing number of the country's leading schools and institutions are assisting students in determining how they precisely fare in these abilities by utilising a technological solution created by the NACE and industrial organisational psychologists at SkillSurvey.  

After completing internships, co-ops, or other work experience, the tool collects input from students' employers and supervisors. This feedback is used to help students assess how they rank on work behaviours related to the NACE Competencies. Colleges and institutions that use this assessment method can provide career-readiness reports to assist students learn about their job strengths and chances for growth.

Supervisors can provide students with a lot of helpful information, but it's also important for students to be able to assess themselves. By compare the input from their supervisors to the students' own self-assessments, students can get a well-rounded view of their progress and skills. This way, they can develop a plan for their own self-improvement.

Comparisons to a wider database of all students (including those from other institutions) who were graded using the same survey criteria following their internships, co-ops, and other employment arrangements.

Many students even utilise their evaluations to show their preparation for the industry, publishing them as certifications on LinkedIn.

If you're a student looking for an internship or already have one, find out how you'll be evaluated for the experience. Consider utilising the above list of competences as a starting point for talks with your programme supervisor, boss, or coworkers.

It is useful to learn how your coworkers and bosses perceive your habits and routines. With that knowledge, you may hone in on the areas where you can improve before graduating. Furthermore, career preparedness feedback will help you increase your competence in soft skills, such as critical thinking, that today's companies value.

QUOTES FROM WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS THAT WILL INSPIRED YOU TO SUCCEED

 If you want to learn more about what it takes to be a female entrepreneur, look no further than these inspiring quotes from women who have already made it. These entrepreneurs offer their pearls of wisdom on what it takes to create a successful business model in your community.

The business world can be challenging, and sometimes it might make you question your abilities and motivations. But don't worry; you can conquer the challenges of becoming an entrepreneur! Drawing inspiration from people who have gone before you might be beneficial. Women founding their enterprises have increased significantly during the past decade, and their inspirational and clever remarks could motivate others. So check out some women entrepreneur quotes to help you take your business from startup to success. 

WHAT IS A WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR?

A woman entrepreneur is a woman who organises and operates her own business. Almost all major global corporations were started and run by men in the past. However, since the 1970s, there has been a shift in society's views of females, which has led to a drastic increase in the number of women in business. Today, women who want to start their businesses feel more empowered than ever before, and successful women entrepreneurs are more than happy to share their inspiring quotes with others who may need some motivation to get started.

MOTIVATION FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Women may be motivated to start their businesses for different reasons than their male counterparts. While the financial or economic gain may be a primary driver for some women, others may be motivated by other factors.

Women entrepreneurs often want to achieve success to prove themselves, and they may also want a sense of independence and to be role models for others. Many female entrepreneurs have brilliant ideas that they'd like to share with others to make their life simpler.

Some of the qualities and skills that women entrepreneurs possess can lead to success. These qualities might include:

Being adventurous

Willingness to take risks

Having motivation

Feeling conscientious

Being intelligent

Using empathy

Possessing patience

Having an education

Being hardworking

Using many skills

When it comes to starting a business, everyone's motivations can differ. However, business success requires a strong and determined man. Listening to the advice and stories of others can be highly beneficial for those considering starting their own company. It might give them the support and motivation they need to continue working toward their goals.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR QUOTES

These women entrepreneurs have some inspiring words for anyone who's facing challenges while starting a business: 

"You can't be a successful entrepreneur without fail. It's part of the journey." - Stephanie McMahon, WWE 

"Be persistent and don't give up." - Coco Chanel 

"There is no substitute for hard work." - Mary Kay Ash 

"To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to have faith in yourself." - Oprah Winfrey

Here are some great quotes to help you get motivated and feel more confident in your work: 

"There's no need to apologise for setting high standards and rates." — said Nicole Feliciano 

"You can't be a successful entrepreneur without fail. It's part of the journey." - Stephanie McMahon, WWE 

"Be persistent and don't give up." - Coco Chanel 

"There is no substitute for hard work." - Mary Kay Ash 

"To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to have faith in yourself." - Oprah Winfrey

Here are some great quotes to help you get motivated and feel more confident in your work: 

"There's no need to apologise for setting high standards and rates." — said Nicole Feliciano 

"Nobody is going to believe in your vision as much as you do." — Latasha McRae 

"One of the best things you can do is surround yourself with smart, driven people." — Marissa Meyer 

"Remember that it's more important to work on the right thing than it is to work hard simply." — Caterina Fake 

"A strong team that you trust and can rely on is everything." — Alison Pincus 

"Don't ever let anyone else have the final say in what you're doing." — Anonymous

Here are some quotes to help keep you motivated when it comes to your career journey: 

"Don't be afraid to change your plans. Sometimes, the unplanned moments turn out to be the best ones." — Anna-Katrina Shedletsky.

"It's okay to ask for help. It's smart to seek professional opinions frequently–you don't have to figure everything out alone." — Ellison Anne Williams.

"Don't let fear stop you from being successful or making decisions." — Netta Korin.

"Choose a career path that has meaning to you, not just one that will make you rich." — Anita Grantham.

"Being able to learn new things is one of the most important traits a leader can possess." — Padmasree Warrior.

Achieving success is all about taking that first step, even if you don't feel ready. It's also crucial to remember that success seldom comes easy - it will take hard work and dedication. Be prepared for the unexpected and use it to your advantage whenever possible!

@Seven jobs that are relatively lower-stress and may be a good fit for you

If you regularly feel stressed and anxious, it may be helpful to consider some of the top careers for people with anxiety. Dealing with anxiety can be difficult, as symptoms can make it hard to predict how you'll feel from one day to the next. You are not alone in your struggle; according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 40 million persons in the United States suffer with anxiety.

It's important to remember that there are plenty of great opportunities, even if it sometimes does not feel like it. Many people with anxiety disorders have successful and fulfilling careers that work well with their mental health needs. When considering what you want to do, check out some of the best jobs for people with anxiety disorders.

Although people with anxiety disorders share some common symptoms, each person is unique in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. That's why it's essential to identify your strengths as a first step in determining which job might be a good fit for you. After that, analyze what activities you excel at and what inspires you. If you have a particular interest, check into prospective occupations that are related to that interest. For example, if animals have always been important to you, veterinary medicine or animal welfare jobs might help you feel fulfilled.

If you want to pursue a career with potential challenges, talk to your employer about accommodations they can make to help keep your stress and anxiety under control. Identifying your triggers is an excellent first step in managing your anxiety. Think about what triggers your symptoms and try to avoid those situations.

Pursuing a career can be daunting, and if you voice your concerns to your employer about the challenges you face, they may be more willing to help out. Many organizations offer flexible work arrangements to their employees to support their needs and desires in and out of the workplace. If you're worried about a particular stressor in the workplace, try to identify a solution that will help you manage it before asking your boss - they'll be more likely to say yes to a specific request than to come up with a solution on their own.

7 JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY

Here are seven jobs to consider if you're looking for a career change and you want to find a job that will work well with your anxiety.

Accountant

If you're the type of person who enjoys working with numbers more than people, a job in accounting might be a good fit for you. Accountants typically don't interact with their co-workers much, as they spend most of their time working independently. The primary duties of this role include researching and compiling financial transactions, reviewing records, and performing calculations. Even though accountants may convey their results to customers, their involvement with others is often minimal.

If you're looking for a career in accounting, know that it's a field where you'll need to be able to handle deadlines and work quickly under pressure, especially during busier times of the year. For example, tax accountants are extremely busy between January and April. You'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in accounting to pursue this career path. You may also take the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam to become a certified public accountant (CPA test) (CPA). The average accountant earns an annual salary of $84,000.

Dietitian

As a dietitian, you would be helping people learn how to maintain healthy eating habits. This profession is important because, often, mental health is closely related to physical health. Working as a dietitian and helping people overcome ailments would contribute to healthier lives altogether.

The primary duties of this position include creating nutritional plans and providing support and dietary advice based on each client's needs. The average annual salary for this position is $65,500, and the hourly rate for this position falls between $20.45 and $45.02.

Graphic designer

Graphic design is a field well suited for creative individuals. It entails developing logos, websites, marketing collateral, graphics, and other visuals for businesses. Some graphic designers work with just one client, while others serve multiple clients. Usually, a college degree is required, but in some cases, experience and software skills might be enough to qualify you. A graphic designer's hourly wage is $29.70 on average.

Librarian

Working in a library can be incredibly calming for people who experience anxiety. The atmosphere is typically quiet and relaxed, providing a low-stress environment for those working there. Libraries can be great places to work for people who need a calm and collected setting.

A librarian's duties include the following.

Librarians play an important role in helping people find and check out books and other materials. They are also responsible for cataloguing and organizing the materials within the library. In addition, librarians handle patron requests for books and library material. Some librarians also assist with library events, such as reading programmes or activities for neighbourhood youngsters. The average annual salary for a librarian is $81,000 per year. This job requires a degree in library science.

Maintenance worker

For people who might struggle with social anxiety, a job that keeps them isolated from other people could be appealing. Grounds person or maintenance positions often involve working alone; even if other people are around, there is usually little interaction required. Being a grounds person requires caring for an outdoor area or garden in a particular location. The primary duties include looking after plants and trees, keeping pathways neat, and cutting back greenery. The average hourly wage for this type of job is $16.95.

No two days are the same for a maintenance worker - one minute, they might be called upon to do something as simple as changing a lightbulb, and the next, they might start working on fixing a hole in the wall. Because of the job's unpredictability, maintenance workers must stay calm under pressure and think on their feet. Good problem-solving skills are necessary for anyone in this field. And because they often work in close quarters with other people, maintenance workers must be good team players.

Software Developer

Software development is a rapidly growing field that offers plenty of opportunities for advancement. As a software developer, you may have minimal interaction with co-workers and may even be able to work remotely, depending on the company you work for and your position. Your primary duties will include creating, designing, and building computer programs. Some developers focus on functional software, while others make engaging and appealing games. To pursue a career in software development, you'll usually need at least a bachelor's degree in a related field. The average annual salary for this career is $121,000, or $58.20 per hour.

Writer

If you're the type of person who likes to work independently and doesn't need much interaction with others, a career as a writer might appeal to you. Many writers work remotely, providing a more solitary atmosphere and may be helpful if you struggle with social anxiety. When it comes to writing, there are generally two paths you can take: producing content for other clients, like blog posts or marketing materials, or creating your content by writing novels or different types of books.

A career as a writer is often seen as a low-stress job, but this all depends on the type of work you wish to pursue. For example, if you choose to work as a journalist, you may face tight deadlines. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for a writer is $39.

Having anxiety doesn't have to mean that your life is over. There are plenty of career opportunities out there that could help you keep your symptoms and stress under control. Do some research to find out which path might be the best fit for you, then get your resume ready and start applying for jobs in your field of interest.

The application process can feel very daunting, so scheduling some time for breaks is best. Get up from your desk or step away from your phone, and take a few deep breaths to keep your stress levels in check. It might also be beneficial to speak with a mental health professional who can advise you on some healthy coping strategies for anxious feelings. Another way to calm your mind is through meditation, which can also help you to focus on positive thoughts.