Attend a career fair.

“I had never felt so out of place. I didn’t recognize a single person and everyone seemed to know what they were doing. I had no idea how to approach an employer, let alone talk to one. For a few minutes, I just debated leaving. My purple folder looked so unprofessional and I had just recently put together my resume. I had no idea if it was even the correct format. Everything inside me told me I wasn’t ready. I was only a freshman, so maybe I should just wait until next year. I finally worked up the courage, took a deep breath, and walked inside the ballroom. I had looked up a few companies with chemical engineering positions prior to the fair and walked up to the first one I recognized. I didn’t know how to begin, so I just threw myself into conversation by introducing myself to the company representative, offering my resume, and talking about my career goals. As our conversation went on, I began to feel more and more comfortable.”

“I remember walking into my first career fair at Clemson and genuinely feeling like I didn't belong there. Everyone was engaged in conversations with recruiters while I was awkwardly walking around trying to find an open recruiter to talk to. My heart was racing, my hands were sweaty and I had no clue what to say. Looking back now, after attending two more career fairs, I realized most of the anxiety I had was in my head, and I wish someone had told me that earlier.”

“I went to my colleges career fair 3 years ago, and it is the reason I am where I am. Went to a pretty no name school, and had applied to hundreds of places online with no luck, was losing hope as summer approached, decided to go to a career fair, and ended up getting an interview with a local software company(<50 employees), and got an offer, and was able to intern there for over a year full time during the summer, and part time during the semester.”