This blog is written primarily for students entering (or returning to) university or college—and for their parents.

Your university and college years should be a time to learn, have fun, and make new friends.

Regardless of what you study, it’s never too early to start preparing yourself for the job market, you will be entering when you graduate.

Rather than waiting until you are near graduation, here are steps you should take now to get started:

Think about how you present yourself to others.

Some call this “branding” – a term generally used in business. But the concept applies equally to individuals. Personal branding is the image or impression you form in the eyes of others. Some say it is “what people say about you when you leave the room.”

Your actions, dress, and social media presence influence how others think about you. You might want to check out www.DorieClark.com, who is considered the personal branding expert and has published several good articles and books on the topic.

Complete online assessment tests.

Assessment testing is a worthwhile process as it is an effective way to discover interests or skills you didn’t know you had. It can also help with course selection and direct you toward a career path.

Many tests are available online, and your school’s career services area might have some available. One popular test is the CliftonStrengths assessment. There is a cost associated with completing it, but it is excellent.

The Personal Values Assessment test is also an excellent tool. It’s free, and I am sure you will find your results informative.

Take advantage of public speaking opportunities.

Public speaking is one of the most critical skills for the workplace, yet so many people fear it. If you are good at public speaking, you will project confidence, which is an effective way to differentiate yourself from your peers.

The only way to get better at public speaking is through practice. Therefore, you should take advantage of every opportunity to practise, including making presentations in class, volunteering to introduce guest speakers, and offering to be the spokesperson for your team.

You might want to check out Toastmasters or Dale Carnegie programs. Both are well-established organizations that help people improve their public speaking. You can also visit www.TED.com to watch great speakers in action.

Visit the career centre on campus.

Every university and community college has a career centre. You should visit early and take advantage of the resources available to you. The career counsellors are there to help you learn about different career options, tell you about permanent and summer-time job opportunities, and help prepare your resume and cover letter.

Get to know employers in your area of interest.

Many schools have partnerships with local employers. Sometimes, employers send guest speakers into the classroom or invite students to tour their facilities. Occasionally staff from the employer offer to be mentors. Take advantage of these opportunities to network.

Start building your resume.

Even though these years should be fun, you should start thinking about activities to strengthen your resume. The best strategy is to gain practical work experience—related to your career interests—through part-time, summer-time, or co-op work. You could also use your time to diversify your skills. For example, you might learn a new language or study new technology. Not only will these new skills make you a more interesting person, but they might also be the deciding factor for an employer when it comes down to deciding between two otherwise equally qualified candidates.