Graduation Day: It Will Come Sooner Than You Think!
Sep 27 '01 (Updated Jan 28 '06)
The Bottom Line Start your post- graduate preparation several months in advance.
Graduation day…it’s a time that students look forward to, from the day they first enroll in college. It’s a day that students anticipate and a day that they feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s a day of celebration, and a day to reflect on past achievements.
But it’s also a day to prepare for the next step: life after graduation
For the majority of students, life after school is something that’s both anticipated, but also somewhat feared. The young student can’t wait to get his face out of the textbooks and behind the desk in a good company. He/she can’t wait to finally be able to buy the things they want and start to fulfill their dreams. But is the transition really this simple? Let’s take a look.
What are Your Options?:
First of all, the new graduate needs to decide on exactly what he/she wants to do, in terms of career plans. Do you want to go directly to graduate school? If so, then you need to start applying for grad school and taking the necessary tests as soon as possible. Going to graduate school, immediately after graduation, seems to be a more popular option these days. Many students look at a graduate degree as a needed designation, to give them a competitive advantage in the workforce.
If you don’t feel the need to attend graduate school, or if you want to enroll in graduate school at a later time, then your other option is to find a job. Landing your first post- graduate job can sometimes take time and patience, but it varies greatly from person to person. I can remember some students who already had a job waiting for them, the week after they graduated. Then, I can think of others who were unsuccessful in their quest for employment for several months.
Sometimes, in order to get a job, you may have to accept a position in a company that is irrelevant to your field of study and your personal interests. This seems to be common among students who graduate in liberal arts fields and in education. Several of my co- workers right now, in fact, are people who graduated with education degrees and either couldn’t find a job right away, or found a teaching job and discovered that they didn’t really like it or that the pay was too low.
Preparing to Make Your Decision:
When graduation time is approaching, you need to have a plan of action ready to implement, with a backup plan in case things don’t turn out the way you expected. If you feel the calling for graduate school, then you need to start applying quickly- before you graduate. You also need to take the necessary tests (LSAT, GMAT, GRE, etc.) as soon as you can.
For most students, finding a job will be your top priority. You need to start interviewing as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Don’t wait until after graduation to begin your job search. Start looking a few months before graduation, and be sure to utilize your university recruitment center. You can get tips on writing your resume, assistance in finding a job, and access countless employment resources. You pay for this service as part of your tuition, so take advantage of it!
Where do You Want to Live?:
Let’s assume that you decide to enter the workforce right away. The next decision you must make is where you wish to live. When I graduated, I remained in a university owned house for the summer. The rent was cheap and it helped me to save some money, so that I could move out completely on my own in a few months.
Some students might choose to move back home with their parents for a while, in order to save money. This could work for some students, but I knew it would never work for me! I have always been independent, both financially and philosophically. There was no way that I could have accepted living under someone else’s rules again. I moved out of my parent’s house when I was 17, and I vowed I would never return. If you have gained independence and you value the right to do as you please, then I would really think twice before you move back with your parents. It won’t be the same as it was when you left after high school. You will want your space and freedom, and some parents may not be willing to give it to you.
Now, let’s talk about your future plans for a minute. Do you know what part of the country you really want to live in? Have you given this much thought? Well, let me give you this advice: If you have your heart set on living in a certain part of the country, you should try to relocate to that area as soon as possible! This is one area where I did make a mistake. I have always wanted to live in a warm, dry climate with little or no snow, lots of sunshine, and few barriers to making economic and personal decisions (in other words, a Libertarian atmosphere). Yet, I still live in a Ohio, a dreary place with lots of rain, snow, clouds, and controlling politics (It's no surprise that Ohio ranks 43rd in population growth, among the 50 states, according to the 2000 census). I should have made my escape a long time ago, when I was on my 20’s, but I didn’t. What held me back wasn’t fear (the primary reason that many people don’t make the move), it was money. I graduated completely penniless, so the prospects of moving across the country were bleak. If money had not been an issue, I would have packed my belongings and headed to the warm, dry air of the desert southwest. I also would have started the interview process when I was a college senior, and looked for employment in the southwest. But I knew that my financial situation wouldn’t allow this. Now, 12 years after graduation, I’m still living in a state that I don’t like very much. And it keeps getting harder and harder to plan my getaway because I have been working my present job for more than 10 years and I’m well- paid and well- established. If I make a move now, even if I find a good job in another city, it’s very doubtful that my new job will equal the income that I make right now. I will probably lose between $10,000 and $20,000 dollars the first year.
Other Financial Considerations:
There is one more financial factor to consider, and that is student loan repayment. Unless the rules have changed, student loans carry a 6- month grace period. This means that you will have six months to get settled and find a job, before your student loan repayment will begin. There are some exceptions to this, one of which is going to graduate school. If you decide to go to grad school right away, you can defer the student loans for a few more years, until you finish grad school.
Final Thoughts:
Life after graduation is a stressful time for many former students. It’s especially difficult for those who spent their college years living off of mom and dad. For these individuals, it will mark the first time that they must take care of themselves.
You need to start thinking about these options several months before the actual day of graduation. You need to have your mind made up, about whether more schooling is in your immediate future, or whether you want to enter the workforce.
Deciding where you want to live is another critical consideration. If you want to live in another state, try to plan your move asap! The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to escape. And your problems could be compounded if you meet a potential mate who doesn’t share your desire to relocate. This is especially true for men who meet a woman who has family roots in a certain area. Women tend to be more sentimental about the place they live, and they could be very resistant to moving across the country. That’s why it’s best to make your move as quickly as possible.
Don’t procrastinate until the last minute. Start making your post- graduation plans as soon as you can. It’s always better to be prepared.
For More Educational Reading, Click on the Links Below:
Advice on College Admissions:
Choosing a College or University
How to Help Your Child Choose a College
How to Apply to College
Should I Transfer Schools?
Should I Take Time Off?
Should I Go to Grad School?
Advice on College Life:
College Survival Tips
What is College Really Like?
What I Should Know About Dealing with College Roommates
What Should I Know About Greek Life in College?
What I Should Know About Alcohol Abuse in College
What I Should Know About Spring Break Planning
What Should I Bring to School
How Can I Succeed in College Academics?
How to Manage Your Time
How Should I Deal With Tough Times in School?
Advice on College Finances:
Should I Take a Part Time Job?
How to Pay Off Student Loans
How to Manage Your Budget
How to Negotiate Financial Aid Packages
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Reviews of Test Prep Materials, Services, and “How To”:
800Score.com
How to Take the GMAT
How to Take the GRE
What is the GRE?
Kaplan GMAT On- Line Course
Princeton Review GMAT On- Line Course
Reviews of Specific Universities:
Wright State University
University of Dayton
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