Alumni can offer valuable 2020 hindsight. Current students would do well to seek their advice.

Reviewing their own academic careers alumni might suggest fully researching your major before declaring, some would advise to seek federal work study rather than take out many loans, and others might reveal that an internship would have helped them find employment.

The wonderful thing about seeking advice is that one has the opportunity to take it and act on it.

Current UAF students have available to them the opportunity to maximize their learning and their future employability by using campus resources now. Academic Advising, Career Services, Financial Aid, the UAF Alumni Association, and Rural Student Services, to name a few, exist to assist students with successful navigation of their university life and help the transition into a meaningful career.

Now is the time to contact these offices with your questions or needs.

Campus offices are usually the busiest at the beginning and ending of each semester.

Today there is not a line at Financial Aid, Career Services is now scheduling about three days out, and there were appointments available at Academic Advising at the time of this writing. Why wait?

What can you do to enhance your college experience? Attend the next Leadership Lunch, go to a Life Science Seminar Series lecture and ask questions, invite a professor to have lunch with you and a friend, apply for a summer internship (applications usually due in March), and/or participate in the Career Services Job Shadow Program. These events are for you, not someone else.

First year students might consider joining a club or organization and become acquainted with students, faculty and staff who share similar interests.

Sophomores need to actively begin career exploration; look at the "What Can I do with this Major" link on the Career Services website. Ask a professional what they like about their job.

The Internet is an overwhelming but valuable tool; make it work for you. Blogging can be very beneficial but be cautious about what you post; employers have been known to withdraw offers after viewing a potential employee's internet profile.

Juniors should actively engage in campus job fairs. Consult with faculty, advisors, and experts in your chosen field.

Are you mastering the knowledge/qualifications to successfully compete for your desired job? If you are majoring in business, for example, make a list of companies, their recruiters and recruiting practices. The same recruiters often return to campus year after year.

The senior year begins with an organized. thorough job search/grad school campaign. Network with as many employers as possible through campus job events and community events, as 80 percent of jobs are obtained by initially talking with someone.

Employers are concerned why some students don't interview well or why some resumes seem a little thin considering the wealth of opportunities provided by the UAF campus and the Fairbanks community. Select activities that will teach you the knowledge, skills and abilities you need. Learn to effectively represent yourself in person and on paper.

It truly is the journey and not the destination. Let us help you get there. The icing is the diploma; it sits on the cake of academic performance and research backed by a variety of experiences including internships, student employment, club/team membership and volunteer experience.