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Things I Wish I Knew Before Beginning Undergrad
By Olivia Mitchell
09 - 23 - 2025
Things I Wish I Knew Before Beginning Undergrad
Life does move pretty fast if you don’t stop once in a while to look around, especially in undergrad. Graduating with Latin honors in Spring 2025 with my bachelors of science with my friends and family cheering me on as I strutted across the stage left me feeling accomplished with the smallest ounce of regret. We’re taught that regret and grieving the past isn’t healthy; I see it as mini-self assessments. There’s always going to be someone you’d wish you had to tell you about ten special little tips to help make your life an ounce easier. Below are a few things that I wish I knew before beginning undergrad:
Building Your Network Begins in the Classroom
The awkward ice breakers on the first day of class, semester-long group projects, and student organization interest meetings are the stepping stones to building your network. We’ve originally been taught that networking should be in an environment filled with uncomfy suits and empty conversations, when in reality a genuine conversation can be sparked from proximity. Learning about your peers and classmates can go a long way toward helping you create a foundation for greatness. Ask that one person you have been wanting to get to know to coffee and who knows, that person could help lead you to a new opportunity.
Attend as Many Professional Organizations as Possible
Not everything you do in undergrad needs to be directly tied to boosting your professional or academic career, but it should be something to think about when contemplating where you want to be in the next five years. A great way to network while learning about specific career paths is to check out some of the professional clubs on campus. In undergrad I discovered the Public Relations Society of America and American Marketing Association, tackling the iceberg of organizations I wanted to get involved with. Choosing an organization to join can feel overwhelming, so book an appointment with one of our Career Counselors through Handshake to help you develop your early career. You can also meet recruiters and companies at our career fairs, giving you a chance to put a face to a company you might be interested in the future.
Own Being a Student
With education becoming less accessible for students every year, a few hardships may occur throughout the journey. Sadly, money doesn’t fall from the trees on Main Street, but college student discounts do exist. Something I discovered coming to VCU is that we all get a free Adobe Creative Cloud subscription account when we enroll. Yes, I mean all of us. Visit the The Workshop located in the VCU Library or Adobe, to learn more about how you access your account or visit Tanvi Dev at Career Services to learn more. Another amazing resource we have as VCU students is Linkedin Learning. Linkedin Learning is a unique resource students can use to learn about any topic their minds may wonder off to for completely free. The best part about Linkedin Learning is that you earn a certification that can be displayed on your Linkedin profile and resume, making you stand out as an individual. Students forget that learning continues beyond the exams. Educational resources are all around, you just have to look a little harder to find exactly what your brain is craving to learn. With Linkedin Learning, we have access to over hundreds of free classes to learn niche topics including playing the guitar, social media marketing, and how to face your fears of public speaking. The best part is you can watch a short 10 minute video to learn something new for the day.
It is Never Too Early to Gain Experience
Experience is all around you just like the opportunity it is to learn. Looking for an internship is not set in-stone that will happen in your Junior year. Life happens, plans change, and companies are continuously evolving. One thing I wish I did was begin my internship search in freshman year. Researching what skills and criteria these companies look for in an ideal candidate. Industries are looking for two things: experience and passion. So show it. Show them you can take initiative: join a student organization, take on a fellowship, find a mentor, or ask professionals for an innocent coffee chat to learn more about an industry you want to break into. A curious mind can lead to endless possibilities.