This post originally appeared on LinkedIn Pulse and was re-posted with permission from author Kate Szumanski.

Students who purposely focus on their career and professional development -- instead of leaving it to chance or luck -- increase their odds of securing an internship or job that suits their interests and needs.

But how? How can students prioritize their internship and job searches when so many other things, such as school work, extra-curricular activities, part-time jobs, and friendships, compete for their time and attention? There's lots of noise -- good and bad -- that pulls us in too many directions.

It isn't easy to stay focused. But with some discipline and a plan, students can prepare for their futures without sacrificing their other important responsibilities and enjoyment of life's pleasures.

Here are my Top Six Tips for prioritizing the internship and job search for college students:

1. Promise to visit the Career Center at your university once every two weeks when the semester begins in August. Make appointments and record them on your calendar. Create a system of accountability so that you stay attentive and on task.

2. Spend your summer wisely by preparing for Fall Career Fairs and on-campus interviewing. Buy an interview suit and killer shoes. Polish your résumé and Linked In profile. Practice your "elevator speech" so that it's authentically you. Research companies and career paths that interest you. Return to campus smarter than when you left it.

3. Network with alumni, friends, and family. Ask questions. When you engage in meaningful conversations with experienced and emerging professionals, you'll discover commonalities and a willingness to lend support. Mutually beneficial relationships help launch and grow careers.

4. Attend career development events and employer information sessions on campus. Invite your like-minded friends to join you so that you don't feel as if you're "going it alone." Make the most of this "face time."

5. Utilize ALL technology resources that your campus makes available to you to identify internship and job opportunities. Only in college do employers actually come to YOU. Take full advantage of such opportunities; put your tuition dollars to work for you.

6. Get inspired and stay motivated by experiencing art. This might seem superfluous, but it's not. Trust me. It might even fall under the broader umbrella of healthy self-care, i.e., exercising regularly, eating well, laughing, playing, singing in the rain, dancing like no one's watching, etc. Maybe music, theatre, or paintings inspire you. Whatever it is that stirs your soul and ignites that spark within, experience it, live it, dream it. Go to a museum, listen to great music, or see a play on the stage. Allow yourself to get lost in a new world.

Bonus tip: If you haven't already, purchase the soundtrack to "Hamilton: The Musical." It will blow your mind. Play "My Shot" loud before a job interview!

And remember, students, don't throw away your shot to live a beautiful and meaningful life, discovering and pursuing the career of your dreams now and forever.