What is a key component of career readiness?

Developing a professional network is a key component of career readiness because it plays a crucial role in connecting individuals with potential job opportunities, mentors, and industry insights. A strong professional network can provide support, resources, and guidance, which are essential for navigating the job market and advancing one's career. Networking helps individuals to build relationships within their field, learn about job openings, and gain insights from experienced professionals. In many cases, job referrals come through personal connections rather than traditional job applications.

While the other options—understanding industry expectations, gaining volunteer experience, and building a strong GPA—are indeed valuable for career development, they do not encapsulate the overarching concept of career readiness as comprehensively as developing a professional network does. Understanding industry expectations is important for aligning skills with market demands, gaining volunteer experience can enhance one's resume and indicate a willingness to learn, and maintaining a strong GPA can demonstrate academic commitment and knowledge. However, without a network, opportunities for leveraging these other components may be limited. Thus, developing a professional network stands out as a fundamental element in achieving career readiness.