Ever since I began my summer internship with Brilliant Ink, I’ve caught myself making connections between the work we do and my everyday life. The other day, I was roaming the UC Berkeley campus and noted how many freshman orientation groups populated the area. It didn’t take long for the feelings of nostalgia to set in and I thought about my own first day, three summers ago. I suddenly realized I lived through a so-called college life cycle just how those in the workforce experience an employee life cycle at every job they hold. There are numerous experiences which parallel the stages of college life and the employee life cycle. Here’s some of mine:

The Job Hunt --> The College Search: Some high school students (and even middle-schoolers) spend years researching potential colleges – their requirements, the culture, available resources, etc. While I did not seriously sit down to consider which colleges I wanted to apply to until the summer before my senior year of high school, the whole college experience was still something that weighed heavily in my mind. Just as it is with a job hunt, engagement begins before day one - the better first impression that college websites and campus tours make on potential applicants, the more excited they will be.   

Interviewing/Hiring --> College Apps/Acceptances: Filling out college applications, complete with academic records, resume information, and personal statements is much like an interview process - it is grueling. Just as interviews serve as a way for employers to get to know potential employees, so too do the admissions staffs - a glimpse of college hopefuls based on their applications. And receiving a college acceptance is as exciting as a job offer!  

Day One/Orientation/Onboarding --> Student Orientation/Welcome Week: This is another crucial time. As concluded by Brilliant Ink’s research, “the better the first 90 days, the higher the engagement levels.” Likewise, if students feel more welcome through their orientation and welcome week activities, they are likely to be more engaged in opportunities their school has to offer – this positive engagement will hopefully persist and even increase throughout their college years. My orientation group consisted of about fifteen people. Not only did we eat meals together, but we also played ice breakers and learned some of UC Berkeley’s songs and chants!

Daily Grind Communications --> College: Years 1, 2, 3, 4: You spend the most time here. I’ve found that the way to keep my engagement levels up is to be a part of organizations and groups in and around campus – oh, and making sure you actually go to your classes. Getting involved inspires you to be a contributing member and student!

The Path Ahead --> College Graduation and “The Real World”: “When employees see a path to success, they’re more likely to be engaged for the long haul.” In the same respect, when students are able to see how beneficial their college educations are for their future careers, they are more likely to do well in their classes. When it comes time for graduation, they are equipped with the experience and knowledge to succeed in that big bad place we call “the real world.”  This is why it’s so important to craft the best possible experience for your people and tap into their inner brilliance :)