Class of 2015 graduates get ready for next chapter of their lives
0By Felicia Proctor
Who is terrified of graduating from college? Everyone is typically excited to graduate from high school and move on to college, or just to get out of their parents’ house. but, when it is time to graduate from college, there is a lot more to think about! What am I going to do after graduation? Where am I going to get a job? Do I go to graduate school? Do I get married, or is it too soon? How am I going to pay off my student loans? Graduating from college is a lot different than graduating from high school. It is a lot more responsibility, and it’s frightening.
Most people have a great time in college, but then comes the day when you realize that time doesn’t last forever. Life slaps everyone in the face whether you like it or not. It is not easy for everyone to come to these realizations. People think that since they will have a bachelor’s degree under their belt that they should be hired immediately. That is not always the case.
You need a strong resume, experience, and great interviewing skills. Hopefully, you learn all of this in college. When you finally get to the point where you have applied to places until you are blue in the face and have not gotten any responses back, then freak-out mode starts. How am I going to afford to live on my own and support myself if I do not get a job? Most have relied on parents through college, and now it is time step up to the plate. Half do not even know what they want to do after they graduate.
The New York Post said that only 17 percent of college graduates in 2014 had a job lined up before graduation. College students learn skills needed in the work place, but not all employers think college is experience. There will never be a chance for 100 percent of the students graduating having a job lined up but 73 percent say that they were actively looking for jobs.
The job market is tight these days. Companies have had to down-size due to the economy, so it is harder for new graduates to be able to get into a good entry-level job. Most places will hire someone that is older because they will not have to train the person. It is a sad situation because students work hard in college to make sure they will be the best they can be in a job some day, and it might take a while to get that job.
Knowing people in your field is in your best interest. They can’t necessarily get the job for you, but they might be able to get you an interview. Word of mouth will be your best friend. Always put your best foot forward when working and never give them a reason to think badly about you. Getting your foot in the door is the best thing you could do. Even if the job is not the best paying or not what you want to do, there is always room too advance. Network and have faith that someone will give you a chance to prove your power and show them what you can do.
It may be a scary thing to think about, but graduating from college is a great milestone in life. There may be people out there that do not get the chance to have the experience of going to college. Going to college is definitely a great experience and not something anyone should miss. Graduating from college is a great accomplishment, regardless of the fears that may accompany it.