As a senior who’s graduating in less than three months, the thought of having to leave behind my undergraduate college days is terrifying to me. It’s so hard to believe that I once was a freshman with no clue what I would be doing after college, but here I am.
I’m excited to say that I know I will be getting my master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and will be continuing the streak of being in school to 18 years total! However, many of my classmates and friends still don’t know what they’ll be doing once they graduate. AND THAT’S OKAY! Many people don’t have every step of their life figured out, but it’s all about how you look at things that matters.
There are so many options for students after they graduate college! Some might go and get their master’s degree right away, some might jump straight into the job force that relates to the major they just received, and some might take some time to travel or figure out what that next step is.
It’s okay to not know what your next step is. I wasn’t sure about going to grad school until last October, and even then, I was torn about what area to go into. It’s all about understanding what is right for you in your situation. Always look at all of your options though! Ask your family members for help, or your academic advisor about what would fit your goals the best. Most campuses have a Career Center that can help you refine your job/grad school search, brush up on your interview skills, or edit your resume to better fit the field you’re interested in. These are just a few resources that could really help you better understand what your specific needs, interests, and wants are.
One thing I’ve always tried to remember throughout my academic and extra-curricular life is “when one door closes, another one opens”. Rejection is a hard part of life after college, heck! It’s even hard while you’re still in college, but it’s important to remember that rejection can be a really good self-motivator. If you aren’t given an opportunity because of a lack of experience, then find an internship that helps you develop in that field! You’re not going to have all of the answers once you’re given your diploma, and as scary as that sounds…it’s still all going to be okay!
It’s also important to know how to communicate that your experiences in college can translate into your life/job after college, which is something the Career Center can help you out with too!
Graduating from college is a big life step. Celebrate your accomplishments, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. No one expects you to 100% know what’s going on at all times. Remember to be cautious about your decisions, but also do what’s best for you.
Take a deep breath and get ready for a new door to open!
~Lauren
(Lauren VanNess is a senior, majoring in Public Relations. She is a member of the Honors College, University Ambassadors (current president), 2019 Orientation Assistant for SOAR and a member of the Greek Week Committee.)