Taking Your First Steps in the New Year
January 2026. It’s hard to believe we’re here already, and if your social media feed is anything like ours, it’s filled with new plans and resolutions. Friends and family are accomplishing new personal and professional goals and sharing their milestones for all to see. What you rarely see, though, are the small steps that lead to big accomplishments. Not every milestone feels Instagram-worthy, but it is still important to recognize it. If you’re having trouble recognizing your accomplishments or need ideas on how to get started, keep reading.
Submitting Your First Application
Getting a new job or internship is exciting, but so is submitting your first application! Any step towards a new opportunity is cause for celebration because you’re knocking on the door. You’re taking initiative and putting yourself in a position to make connections.
Caden Yonish ’25 is a perfect example of how even just applying can create an opportunity. Yonish applied for an internship during his last summer as a student but was not selected. Fortunately, the hiring manager recognized his potential and recommended him for an internship with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This internship hadn’t even been advertised, but because of the connection Yonish made through his other application, he was recommended for and landed the internship. Read more about Yonish’s experience in the Fall 2025 issue of Horizons Magazine.
Create a LinkedIn Profile
You’ve probably heard the saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and when it comes to progressing in your career, these words couldn’t be truer. The connections you make can bring you to your next internship, career, side hustle or professional development opportunity. In the digital age we live in, being present and connecting with peers on LinkedIn can be very impactful, especially early on in your career. This is why the DelVal Experience II course covers establishing or updating a LinkedIn profile and the essential elements to include.
It is important that your LinkedIn profile reflects the professional you are. It should include a photo and your professional goals. Tell people who you are and what you want to do. Even if you do not have a strong work history yet, highlight some projects you’ve worked on or share an experience that you’ve had. For example, if you want to work in equine management, share the details of your experience working on a project for the Equine Business Management course. Anything to highlight your knowledge and experience can be impactful.
Bite-Sized Learning
Getting started with something new doesn’t have to mean investing time and money in going back to school or beginning an apprenticeship. A small, first step could be to simply learn more about the new thing and the only investment is a few minutes of your time. Watch a how-to video or a career panel online. Reach out to someone in the field to ask them about their experience. Follow a company on LinkedIn to learn more about their operations. Even something as simple as identifying one skill that you’d like to strengthen and looking for tips to do so can help you grow as a professional.
LinkedIn Learning is a great source for bite-sized learning courses covering a wide range of topics. DelVal students are able to access LinkedIn Learning for free with a Bucks County Free Library card. Sign-up is available online, as well, for students who do not have transportation available to get to the library.
Update Your Resume
There’s no rule that says if you update your resume, you must use it. Having an up-to-date resume just means you’re ready to pursue an opportunity when it arises. Plus, updating a resume can feel far more daunting when you need to find a new opportunity. By taking time to update it now, you remove a barrier during what can already be a stressful moment.
The Center for Student Professional Development (CSPD) at DelVal offers support in creating, improving and updating students resumes. Students can visit the CSPD Resume Resources page to schedule an appointment.
Research Opportunities
If you’re not sure when or where to start, begin by looking into opportunities you might be interested in. Think of a company that exists in your desired industry and review their open positions. Whether the positions are entry-level or high-level, make note of their requirements and what they’re looking for in a candidate. If there are any entry-level or internships positions available, bookmark the application deadlines and consider applying. By knowing what companies are looking for, you’re able to make informed decisions on how to pursue your goals.
Even if you’re not ready to apply or pursue a new job or internship, check out the Spring Job and Internship Fair on March 4 will be a great opportunity to meet local employers and learn about what they’re looking for from candidates. If you’re a current DelVal student and are interested in attending, RSVP today. The CSPD also holds several Recruiting Table Tuesdays throughout the semester. Students can visit ExperienceLink to view the schedule and search through the employer database.
No matter what you’re working toward, a common piece of advice for early professionals is to “just say yes,” which simply means don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what an opportunity may offer, even if it’s not what you first imagined, take advantage of the opportunity. Don’t let skepticism hold you back from something that might benefit you or fear keep you from doing things that will challenge you. Not every experience has to be groundbreaking or propel you to the next level. Some will simply show you another perspective. Maybe it’ll show you what you don’t want to do, which is still an important lesson. No matter what, any step you take it worth celebrating because it’s still a step towards your future.