One thought that many students all over campus think at some point during their four years of college education is what they are going to do after graduating.
This one thought has the potential to shape a student’s future career and lifestyle and has to be given serious consideration. To do this, students have to start with a plan to prepare for life after graduation, a strategy that will help them knock out any loans that need to be paid back, and any post-college processes that must be dealt with depending on what the end goal of the plan is.
Planning for life after college takes time and a considerable amount of effort and research. Career Planning advises Saint Leo University students to start planning as early as possible so that they might be better prepared come graduation. Now there are several paths that a student may want to take upon graduating such as going straight into the workforce, going into a graduate program, or maybe even taking a little time off before looking for graduate programs or a new job.
If students are considering graduate school then it is advised to start preparations in their sophomore year to get an understanding and realistic expectation of what the process for applying will be like. On the Saint Leo website, Career Planning has outlined a basic guide to planning and applying for graduate school. To start off with, it is advised that students take practice tests for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT and start working on a resume.
The GRE and other such tests are standardized tests that a student has to take if they want to get into a graduate program. Students can figure out which of the tests they may have to take in regards to the graduate program for which they are applying, or thinking of applying. A resume is also necessary because there are limited openings available for each program, and so it would be like applying for a job except the sole goal of this job is to learn.
In students’ junior years, Career Planning recommends to start actively looking for graduate programs. Career Planning has several resources as well as links to helpful resources like the Graduate Guide and the US News-America’s Best Colleges websites. Students should also begin figuring out when they need to take their required standardized tests and sign up for them, when application deadlines are, and start discussing potential graduate programs with faculty members and career counselors.
Senior year is when students really need to pool all of their research and planning and begin taking action. It is advised by Career Planning’s guide to take any required tests in September or October, start writing the “statement of purpose,” research financial aid possibilities, and request recommendations from faculty members. The “statement of purpose” is a personal statement or essay detailing why students are applying for a specific graduate program that most graduate schools require for their application process.
Around the end of the fall semester of senior year, students need to order their official transcripts from the Registrar’s Office, finish and polish their “statement of purpose,” and begin mailing their applications as early as possible to meet deadlines. Some schools will have an online application process, some will have students mail physical copies of everything to them, and others may have some combination of online submission and physical mail so be prepared and plan accordingly.
Now in the spring semester of senior year, Career Planning advises students to contact the schools who they have applied to and schedule interviews and visits, and also about any potential financial aid. Once April comes around students should keep a look out for acceptance letters, and maybe rejections, and discuss with a faculty member or career counselor the possible options, if there are several acceptance letters, that students may have.
However, for the students who do not like the idea of attending graduate school, and having to go through two more years of college, there is always going straight into the job market and paying back those loans sooner.
Searching for a job can start at any time, from a student’s freshmen year to a student’s senior year. The more time students give themselves the more jobs they can find. Career Planning has a Four Year Action Plan that outlines what students should start doing from the first year they start college all the way up to senior year that can be found on the Saint Leo website under the “Resources” tab.
Career Planning has helpful tips and links, such as LionsLink, to help this process along as well for students to check out. LionsLink is a website geared specifically towards Saint Leo students and employers who are looking to hire Saint Leo students. Now to get started on obtaining a job after graduation students have to do some researching and planning, just like the students on the graduate school path.
Students looking for jobs have to think creatively for what their new bachelor’s degrees can be applied to, or jobs that can utilize those particular skills. Career Planning can help with the job search if students are still unsure of what specific career they would like. However, if students have a basic understanding of what they want to do then they should go ahead and take a look around for jobs. Students should utilize online job searches like LinkedIn to get an understanding of what is available for their future careers. Career Planning even has an Excel spreadsheet to help organize and manage job targets.
Another tip from Career Planning is to focus on job positions that have been publicly posted. This means that those positions are current and the companies are looking to hire. For students who do find jobs they want to apply for it is recommended by Career Planning to research the employers to find out as much as one can about them.
A good resume and cover letter can make or break an application process aside from the interview. Employers are going to be looking for applicants who stand out or who would represent their companies well. Joining clubs and organizations and taking leadership roles all look good on resumes and will make students a much better candidate than the other applicants.
When it comes time for the interview process, students should know what will be expected of them and how to get ready for their interviews. Students should always make a good first impression on their potential employer. This means students cannot show up late or wear something casual, as if they were going to the mall or a friend’s house. Investing in a nice suit or dress is always a good idea, but try not to wear any fragrances as students will never know if the person they are meeting is allergic or not. Interviewees should either be on cont. on time or arrive early. It is also helpful to turn off cell phones and other noisy devices before the interview. The last thing a student should want is their ringtone going off in the middle of their interview and causing a distraction.
Students should also be respectful no matter who their interviewer is, whether their interviewer is just a step above entry-level or the CEO. Also, students should use their communication skills wisely. Enunciate well and speak clearly when answering questions, make eye contact, and sit up straight. These help show the interviewer that students have some type of communication and social skills, and projects confidence to the interviewer. Career Planning has several helpful resources that provide extra information on what to do for the interview process.
Networking is also a useful tool to searching for jobs and applying for them. The more people students know, the better their chances are for finding and landing a job right for them. Career Planning hosts several networking sessions throughout the school year, so keep an eye out for them.
Whether students choose to apply for a graduate program of their choice or enter into the job market once graduation comes is entirely up to them. Career Planning will have resources available for students to successfully navigate either option.
