Student Perspectives provides an inside look to the career exploration and job search process from a student’s point of view. This feature is written entirely by students who want to share their experiences and provide feedback on our services.

One of the best ways you can prepare for the job market is by taking initiative on the steps it takes to get there. Giving yourself goals to work towards will give you some direction, but goals also need action or else you may fall into the trap of all plan and no action. By questioning your personal attributes and defining the things you want to achieve, your career goal recipe will be one destined for success.

It begins with passion. As students, we study to become experts in the fields where we find interest. We hope that our professional lives will continue to feed the things we are passionate about. Long term career goals will help you achieve the position you want over time and short term ones are the steps you will take to get there. For example: having a summer internship in the field where you find interest to gain the experience you need to land your dream job after graduation. Career goals help you channel your passions into action.

Add some inspiration to your recipe. Setting goals help keep you grounded as you move through your educational career, but it doesn’t have to be rigid. As a matter of fact, it shouldn’t be. You are gaining more skills and experience as you work towards your goals and you may learn more about yourself along the way. Staying inspired along the way by surrounding yourself with like-minded people and developing your personal brand will fine-tune all of your personal attributes. Being the best version of yourself is a reflection of exactly what you hope to achieve.

As you are crafting your career goal recipe, be sure to keep in mind that knowing what you don’t want is just as important as knowing what you want. Everyone’s recipe for success will be different. You know what your strengths and weaknesses are and the aim is find professional niches where these strengths can be exemplified, but if you don’t know exactly what that is, then it’s time to get curious and explore the things that interest you. It may take some research and soul-searching, but for your career goal recipe, you need to find the things that catch your eye and they will keep pulling you in the right direction.

Ashley Joseph is a senior in the B.Arch program at NYIT. She is originally from Guyana, South America, but grew up just outside of New York City. She is inspired by people, art, and books. You will probably always find her exploring a new place, reading a good book or painting. Her future goals include working in the field of Historic Preservation Architecture while also finding new ways to merge Art & Architecture.