The scary reality of adulthood

As graduation creeps upon us, the reality of going out into the real world has seniors beginning to think about their future and ultimately, their life after college.

Finding a part-time job during breaks seemed so simple and easy for the last three years, but now, it’s time to find a full-time occupation. You have to find a job that you can go to every single day and not get bored.

Growing up, I was always told “if you love your job, you will never work a day in your life” and that is the kind of job I want after graduation.

I want a job that I actually look forward to and don’t dread or think negatively about. A job where I can be myself, do something I am good at and make enough money to support myself.

All of those things sound easy, but when I started looking for jobs and applying… that was not the case. There are so many different job titles, companies, requirements; the list goes on and on.

So, how do I know if this job is right for me? How do I know if this is truly what I want to do after I graduate? I don’t think it is even possible to answer these questions until you start a job.

So what is a senior to do? Personally, I am looking for jobs that just sound interesting for the time being. They don’t necessarily have to be what I majored in (nowadays it only matters that you have a degree) because I don’t even know if my major will help me at the end.

But what do I know about finding a job? I am currently going through this mess that you just read about.

It’s a good thing people online know what they are talking about (hopefully) and can help me figure out the right way to find a career fresh out of college.

According to the Business Journal here is how we can increase our chances of having a job lined up, while wearing our cap and gown.

1. Forget landing your dream job. Focus on what can get you there in the future. While your first job out of college can serve as a springboard for our professional future, it is not going to make or break you career. These days, college graduates are staying in their first job for 18 to 30 months and then moving on. Make sure you pick something interesting that will present you with challenges that will make you more marketable for your next job.

2. Map out each week of the semester, so you can visualize how you’ll achieve your goal. Jumping headfirst into hundreds of job listings can be incredibly overwhelming and demotivating, so it’s important to first think about who you are, what you’re interested in, and what you’re qualified for, so that you can tailor your job strategy to meet your unique goals and deadlines.

3.Make an appointment with Career Services—ASAP. The most valuable services that the Career Services provides are one-on-one meetings with career experts who can review your resume, conduct mock interviews, connect you to alumni, and help you practice your 90-second pitch.

4.Network your heart out. While it may feel extremely uncomfortable to sell yourself as a potential candidate, remember that most people you speak to are eager to help students because they were once in your position themselves. The important thing is to make connections and keep in touch.

5.Keep an open mind, and apply to everything. The more applications you submit, the higher your response rate will be. Above all, keep an open mind. There are no “right” or “wrong” jobs, only different kinds of experiences. Don’t limit yourself to one company, one position, or even one industry, because you never know what opportunities you might miss by closing off your options too soon.

So what did this ultimately teach me as a senior looking for a job? Well, I am on the right track, and for now that is good enough.

I know what I need to do to get my name out there, and all I can do is to network and apply, over and over until the right job falls into my lap.

It might be harder for some people than others, but before we know it, we will be graduating and hopefully starting the career of our dreams.