One of the most valuable things I have learned in this class has been a greater appreciation for the various ways firms hire to fill job vacancies. My prior knowledge of hiring was superficial. Now I understand the strategic choices employers make between internal and external hiring, and how that decision guides the recruitment process. It has opened my eyes to job applications. I now see how I can present myself as a more desirable candidate by aligning my credentials and presentation with the requirements of employers. Understanding how hiring managers approach the process, what they are seeking, where they post jobs, and how they filter candidates has made me feel so much more confident and prepared to begin my search for my first job following graduation.
This is stuff that I can use now in my life, but it’s also so useful in the long term. As I grow in my career and eventually look for promotions or potential jobs, understanding how hiring happens on both sides of the fence will be so worth it. I can use this information to speak up more for myself and to recognize opportunities when I see them.
Another major takeaway I’ve gained from this course was from our final blog post assignment. The reflective inquiries we were asked to ponder: What am I good at? What do I value? How did I get here? Where am I going? All really spoke to me. These questions are a great asset for ongoing personal growth. I often get caught up in routine and lose sight of my greater goals or sense of direction. Having reflection time like this makes me remember to get centered again and be purposeful in what I’m doing. These are the kinds of things that transcend academics or career, they’re life skills that I can use for the rest of my life.