Before the start of my college career in the fall of 2012, I needed plenty of help searching for my first job. Now that I’m in my second year at MSU and I have had two jobs and an internship under my belt, there isn’t one component I’d attribute to my success in finding jobs.

But there are a few things you can do that will set you apart.

In the competitive city of East Lansing, filled with career-hungry college students, the search doesn’t have to be so bad.

Use your first few jobs as a place to gain friendships and references. One of the lessons I’ve learned is that it’s important to network and get your “in” somewhere.

I was lucky to find my very first job at Capitol Villa Apartments. The end of the summer marks the beginning of change-over, which involves evaluating apartments and getting them move-in ready for next year’s residents. My friend was working there when I applied, so the transition was relatively easy. I moved down to Lansing and continued to work there throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Don’t hesitate to ask your friends, ask your family, ask anyone that you meet what their plans are for a future job and if they have any suggestions for you. As a journalism major, I knew I had to have many experiences under my belt before I even thought about applying to a newsroom or media station. Those experiences can be gained at a variety of workplaces, so don’t be afraid to diversify your job search if it means you’ll be able to add more skills to your résumé. Most of the knowledge and skills for a future profession have to be acquired before you graduate.

While your friends and family can help you network as you search for a job, it’s important you don’t wait until the last-minute to begin looking into internships and jobs. I’ve found it’s important to set aside ample time to apply and search on your own. My advice may seem simple, but start looking for summer jobs and internships early. And by early I mean the winter before (as in right now!).

Because of the hours I set aside to apply for a job, I found the perfect fit for me without even knowing it.

I’m sure most of us are familiar with the emails that flood into our inbox this time of year from the Academic Orientation Program advertising summer job opportunities. I know it’s easy to assume that this is junk mail, but it could be just what you’re looking for.

When one of my best friends told me he was going to be working for the Academic Orientation Program, or AOP, as a resident assistant over the summer, he suggested I apply too. Last February I filled out a page of information about myself and submitted it to AOP. An interview and a couple of weeks later, I was hired as a student assistant and small group leader aka. a tour guide for the following summer.

The communication and people skills I developed at AOP have helped me immensely as I prepare for my journalism career. I also used to be notorious for running late, and my summer with AOP helped shape me into a person that is consistently on time.

If you’re looking for a job off-campus, you might want to consider checking out one of MSU’s career fairs. Freshman year, my friends and I attended a career fair in Spartan Stadium. It was exciting to meet representatives from hundreds of well-known companies, and the event gave us the chance to practice introducing ourselves to potential employers in a professional setting.

I try to check the Career Services website to stay caught up on job postings and career fairs related to my major. You can show up to these with your résumé in hand and talk to potential employers. Locations for the career fairs are spread across campus and it doesn’t get more convenient than that.

But before you utilize these resources and start meeting employers, don’t forget to tidy up your résumé. If you’re inexperienced, at least offer your high school GPA and list a few references who you know will rave about you. Keep your résumé at a page, maximum, and bring any examples of previous work with you to an interview.

When you’re job hunting and working, you never know who you’re going to meet. That’s why it’s so important to network and get your name out there. Apply, apply, and apply more, even if you don’t think the job is related to your dream career. Put your best business professional outfit on and attend career fairs with your friends. If you remember these tips, before the spring semester is over you will be crossing “Get a job” off of your weighty to-do list.

Cayden Royce is a journalism sophomore. Reach her at roycecay@msu.edu.