New grads can often be very indecisive when it comes to choosing a career path. Especially Communication majors since the career options in that field are endless. It comes to no surprise then, that new grads have trouble finding the right path for them.

The overwhelming number of job opportunities could make it tempting for upcoming grads to apply for just any old job posting, however this method can get messy.

There’s a major difference between applying for just any job vs. applying for the right job.The question is – how do you know what job is right for you ?

To make this process a bit easier i’ve provided my top 5 pieces of advice.

1. Find yourself an internship or two: Internship experience not only looks good on your resume but it’s the best way to figure out your likes and dislikes. The more internships the better, because each new professional experience you gain can help determine the right career path for you.
2. Take advantage of all your resources: Go to you career center and attend as many networking events and workshops as possible. Talk to a career coach and get the inside scoop on the field you might be interested in. Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers. Go on LinkedIn and connect with people who work in various positions, then go out for coffee and pick their brains about their professional experience.
3. Pay attention in class: Despite what you may think, often times you can actually apply what you learned in your classes to your professional career. If you are enjoying a particular class and not enjoying another one, that should tell you something about your future job preferences. If you do like a class make sure you talk to your professor, usually professors have a lot of professional experience related to the class they teach and can give you real insights to a fulfilling career choice.
4. Research, Research, Research: If you’re serious about finding the right career for you, then instead of watching Netflix in your free time get online and research jobs. There’s lot’s of career blogs,websites,and books that can help you narrow down your job choices. If you do find a job that interest you online, make sure you research the company and the job position. Websites like glassdoor.com can give you a peek into the company based on employee experiences. Again, you can also go on LinkedIn and get in touch with people who have worked at the company you might be interested in.
5. Income is Important: Your income not only determines your financial security but your lifestyle. If you take a job that you really love but the pay is too low, then most likely you will have to find yourself a second or even third job. In this case it wouldn’t be worth keeping the position you’re currently in because it’s taking a major toll on your life. You have to determine your financial needs and based on that you need to find a job that will give you the security you’re looking for.

Choosing a job isn’t like picking apples, you don’t just blindly apply for a position because it looks appealing on the outside. You have to bite into it and make sure it has all the components that you’re looking for. The job application process may be tedious but putting in that extra time and consideration can make a huge impact in your professional life.

New grads – never settle for just any job, make sure it’s the right job because you’d be surprised how far this decision can take you.