5 Tips Heading Into Graduation

It’s May! Which means that graduation season is upon us. You’ve made it this far in your scholastic career and now it’s time to get out there into the “real world” and be a productive member of society. But let me ask you this, are you really ready for the “real world” and its job markets? Were you able to accomplish the little things in college besides doing all your work and passing all your classes?

College isn’t about just doing the work, getting out and getting a job. It’s about the experiences you’ve had, the character you’ve built, the goals you’ve accomplished and the connections you’ve made with your classmates, professors, and even guest speakers. College has also taught you to persevere and push through the rough times and the all-nighters; it has toughened up your skin and made you somewhat ready to be able to handle anything. But just in case you forgot a couple of things:

Here are 5 helpful tips as you head into your graduation:

1. Make lasting connections with professors and your fellow classmates:

Do not wait until your senior year to make this one happen. Right when you arrive at your school, make your face and name memorable to your professors in a good way. Ask questions and volunteer often. Most of your professors will still be your guide even after you’ve graduated from college, they’ve put a lot of work into guiding you and do not want to see you fail; professors will be there for advice and maybe even help you land a job. Same thing with your classmates. You’ve gone to battle with them, you’ve done group projects together, you’ve been up all night together, and you’ve talked spicy together- that’s bonding. When they get an internship and get hired full-time and you’re still out there looking for an internship they can help you out and vice versa. These bonds and connections will be your lifeline. Obviously, learning and implementing what you’ve learned is number one, but your connections and friendships will exponentially help you push forward.  

2. Amp up your LinkedIn for future employers:

As you traverse through your college career you will pick up some accolades and gain some recognition for doing good work, so what you’ll want to do is post them onto your LinkedIn profile. Why? Because your LinkedIn is what employers look at now, according to data from the Society of Human Resource Management over 90% of recruiters rely on the site. This means that employers will be seeking YOU out instead of the other way around, I mean, how cool is that!?

3. Keep applying for jobs and internships, don’t get discouraged from rejections:  

You should know now that it will be extremely rare to get the job or internship on your very first go. Getting that call for an interview takes 15-30 plus applications. But don’t get discouraged, perseverance and patience are vital when looking for employment and experience. As stated above, bulk up that LinkedIn profile and your resumé.

4. Keep working at your skills and get better at them:

Even though you might soon be done with your educational career doesn’t mean that you stop learning; the learning never stops. Keep teaching yourself new skills that can be utilized in your professional career and might set you apart from the rest of the templated resumés. But don't forget the skills you already possess, refine them and master them.

5. Remember to still have fun:

This whole thing can be a little daunting and scary, but never forget to have your fun and destress from all of it. Sometimes there just needs to be some separation from the work—it’s okay to step away from it for a bit. Hard work and routine often take over many people’s lives. It's imperative that you have some fun to recharge your batteries and be sure you're enjoying life. Even though you’re trying your damnedest to get to your goal, you shouldn’t sacrifice your well-being.