16 May College Kid Graduation Advice
About to graduate? Here’s what you must know.
Blast from the past! Here I am years ago at my college graduation from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS!
As graduation day edges closer and closer college students across the country are in the midst of the job search process. Finding the right opportunity for after graduation can be an enormous source of anxiety – but it doesn’t have to be!
This is the advice I wish somebody had given me when I was graduating. Consider all of the factors before deciding to apply for and accept certain opportunities. It can be easy to let the looming “deadline” get the best of you and accept the first thing that comes along. Avoid this! You may end up unhappy and associate work with dissatisfaction for years to come.
Here are key questions to ask yourself as you proceed:
- What do you love doing? If money or any other obstacles were not a factor, what would you want to do? This is a critical thing to consider because more often than not we CAN pursue these opportunities and be successful in the process.
- What are you good at? Are you happy with the work you’ve done at school? Was your major fulfilling? Don’t repeat a pattern! If what you studied in school wasn’t entirely fulfilling don’t worry! You’ve gained a lot of skills that can be applied in other ways.
- Who can help you? Leveraging your network both in school and outside of it will be key to your success. Who have you interned for? Who helped you get those internships? Anybody you admire in particular that you could reach out to for advice on their career path? A strong network is key to a successful career – so start building yours now!
You’ll be more motivated to do a better job in a field you care about, doing work that you like with people you can learn from. Take the time now to consider all of your options and pursue the ones that are truly worthy of your time and energy!
