This week I want to discuss what to expect after college. I know this is a little different from past topics as these things will not happen until you graduate. However, during college is when you will prepare, and learn about yourself, and the skills you may need for whichever path you choose after completing your degree. College provides you the time, and opportunity to learn about yourself, and helps to decide which careers might bring you joy. So, take advantage of the time you have in college to join clubs, and attend different socials to learn more about yourself. While in the classroom, learn about the skills you may need for future positions, and learn about yourself outside of the classroom.
I know for me; I learned the most about myself when I was faced with a challenge to overcome in college. These challenges can come in many sizes, and forms. One challenge we may all face is learning how to work together in a group. Others can include being a transfer student, or a non-traditional student, or finding out you are in the wrong major, and want to switch. Each challenge is presented, will help you learn more about yourself.
Around junior year is the best time to start searching and considering what your plans will be after graduating from college. The most common routes students take are entering the workforce, attending graduate school, med school, or law school, or joining the military. For any one of these options, there are steps you should be taking while in college to help prepare for the future.
If you choose to enter the workforce right after you complete your undergraduate then internships are the best way to develop skills for your career, build connections, and potentially secure yourself a job upon graduation. Aside from internships, take advantage of your career services center on campus. This office is filled with resources to help prepare for interviews, develop resumes, write cover letters, and much more.
For students looking into furthering their studies, the process only changes slightly. Career development offices often have seminars to help students prepare for graduate school. They will also review resumes, and cover letters for graduate school applications. In order to apply for graduate school, you will also need to take your required entrance exams. For students looking into law school, the LSATs would need to be taken; medical schools require the MCATs; and other graduate school programs require the GREs or GMATs. For information about each test and find a time to take the exam please use this link. Most students take these exams once during their junior year, and a second time in the summer or first semester of their senior year. Another tip when applying to graduate schools is to check the deadlines for each school, as the dates may vary. Some graduate school applications may be due as early as November of your senior year, so start planning, and researching early.
If you are interested in joining the military, there are some great benefits which are provided to college students. Once committed to serving in one of the branches of the military, talk to a recruiter. The earlier you do so, the better as some branches offer different benefits from others, including covering student loan debt.
As you can see, planning a few years out, and thinking at least two years ahead, is the best way to make sure you are ready for the path which lies ahead after college graduation.
Please like, comment, and subscribe to my blog to receive a notification when I release new content each week. Please share the challenges you faced in college, and what you learned from them; or share your post-graduation plans. Also, if you have any specific topics you would like me to write about please add them to the comment section.