How can recent college grads and those about to earn their degrees build solid careers? The good news is that there are all sorts of strategies that can pay off relatively quickly. Those who are in school right now and wondering how to cover next year's tuition have plenty of options, including having a parent cosign on a loan. Plus, the summer break is an ideal time to do a paid internship with a company you'd like to make a connection with.

Strategies for Business Students and New Grads
Strategies for Business Students and New Grads Pixabay

Other powerful techniques for building long-term career success include earning a master's degree, saving money by attending college online, studying abroad, acquiring public speaking skills, focusing on the hottest business subjects as majors, and more. Here are relevant details about a few of the most effective approaches for recent business grads and those who are still in school.

Internships Can be Game-Changers

If you're still in school or recently graduated, a paid internship can be the ticket to a long-term position that pays well and offers substantial benefits. The trick to finding the right openings is to use your network and make a few cold calls every day. Many intern positions, particularly paid ones with large corporations, are never publicized. Hiring agents tend to put the word out among peers and let the best candidates come to them. Note that some businesses set starting and end dates on projects but leave open the possibility of permanently hiring interns who perform well and who have the desire to continue working for the company. Take time to explore what's out there, and avoid unpaid internships unless you can afford to work for nothing during a summer break from college.

Parents Can Cosign for Student Loans

One of the savviest moves a future business major can make is to get a cosigner for a college loan. From a parent's perspective, cosigning is an effective way to assist youngsters without spending a dime. That's because moms and dads are acting as guarantors on the loan instead of providing cash directly to the student or school. When parents decide to act as a cosigner for student loan obligations, their children gain access to potentially lower rates, much better chances for loan approval, and all-around more favorable terms. Unfortunately, far too many future college students try to navigate the borrowing landscape all alone and end up not getting the funds they need for an education. When adults cosign, college can become a reality instead of just a dream.

Consider the Benefits of Graduate Programs

Even for those who hold a school diploma with a relevant, marketable major field of study, like accountancy or IT, there are some significant advantages of attending graduate school. Not only does an advanced degree look fantastic on a resume, but it may help you take advantage of new career opportunities, and it represents an entirely new set of skills. It's a fact that holders of MBAs and other business-centered post-graduate degrees earn more over their lifetimes than those who never earn master's diplomas. Plenty of successful business leaders say that their master's degree programs were the turning point in their careers. One reason for that grand praise is that lots of talented people uncover a niche interest after digesting the more standard curriculum featured in college programs.

Online Degrees Can be Major Bargains

In the digital age, many young adults are taking advantage of the less costly way to earn a formal, four-year degree. Online study is popping up everywhere. Now that nearly all the nation's major universities and colleges offer at least a few computer-based courses, hundreds of other institutions are doing the same. The major benefit for those who opt for online curricula is that schedules are flexible, costs are much lower, and some classes are self-paced.

Studying Abroad Boosts Resume Power

One of the most interesting and enjoyable, but still challenging, ways to gain access to more jobs is to study abroad. A large percentage of colleges offer summers, semesters, or entire academic years in places like Ireland, Japan, China, India, Mexico, France, and more. There can be additional expenses associated with overseas study, so be sure to inquire before signing up for a particular program.

Develop Presentation and Public Speaking Skills

Hiring agents for corporations often lament applicants' lack of public speaking skills. One way prospective business professionals can set themselves apart from other candidates for top positions is to acquire solid speaking and presentation skills. One way to develop talent is to join a debate or speech team while in school. Another less time-consuming method is to take a course that uses business presentations as a way to teach the basics of formal and informal speaking. Outside of the academic world, there are excellent options for picking up these essential skills, including toastmaster-type clubs in which the common goal is to learn how to speak in front of a group of other adults. Most courses cost little and teach multiple kinds of speaking skills, including formal, informal, humorous, and impromptu techniques.