Among the students who graduated from college in 2010, just 56 percent managed to get a job by the following spring. That compares with 90 percent of graduates from the classes of 2006 and 2007. (Here’s some data if you want to dig into it). Yet I met a recent college grad yesterday with a great job—she plans major promotional events like triathlons for a non-profit. She didn’t get the job by picking just the right major, by applying to any job she could find, or by formatting her resume a particular way. She earned the job by volunteering at the very same non-profit for two years while she was in college. She didn't need to convince them to hire her; she'd already proven she could do the work.
If you think the best way to beat the employment odds is to go to a prestigious college, or to pick a major not because you’re interested in it but because it has career application, you’re wrong. A proven path to a remarkable career starts with a remarkable college career, one that uses those four precious years of time to learn as much as you can, discover your talents, find mentors who can guide you, and yes, get some experience you can add to your resume. You don’t need a famous college to do those things.
If you’re in high school and want to get a career jumpstart, get yourself a part-time job now. Flip burgers. Bag groceries. Sweep floors. You’ll start learning the kind of skills you need to be successful later on, like how to deal with angry customers, how to sell, and how to stand out on the job. And before you even start college, you’ll have something to list on your resume and references you can give potential internships or employers.
Remember that how you spend your time in college will influence your job prospects a lot more than the name of the school on your degree will.