Does this sound familiar? Have you committed to making this goal a reality this year? Pursuing your degree is a significant step in the right direction. Many employers now consider a college degree a key requirement for career opportunities—but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The next crucial element they seek is career readiness.
What is Career Readiness?
According to the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), “Career Readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. Career readiness is the foundation upon which a successful career is launched.”
The top skills employers are looking for include:
- Career & Self Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
What can you do to improve your Career Readiness?
Start by developing your own Career Development Plan. This includes exploring your career goals—whether you’re seeking a new job with a different employer or aiming for advancement within your current organization. Identify the key skills you need to strengthen to grow and succeed in your field. To stay focused and motivated, set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to guide your progress effectively.
Need to gain experience?
Internships are a great way to build hands-on experience in your chosen career path or industry. Explore SUNY Empire’s Internship Initiative to discover exciting opportunities. Interested in learning more? Attend one of our upcoming 411 on SUNY Empire’s Internship Initiative workshops, where we’ll cover everything you need to know about finding and securing an internship.
Need help through this process?
Explore SUNY Empire’s Career Hub. The Career Hub is your go-to virtual resource for curated career content, designed to support you at every stage of your professional journey. A special thank you to SUNY Empire’s Student Government Association for sponsoring this invaluable resource and helping students and alumni achieve their career goals.
Reach out to the career team at CareerServices@sunyempire.edu to set up a 1:1 appointment to discuss developing your own personal plan.