As graduation looms on the horizon, college seniors across the nation find themselves confronted with some serious questions.
The gaping uncertainty of “life after college” prompts many graduates to feel befuddled or dismayed when considering their next course of action.
While some will choose to leap directly into their chosen professions, others will seek out graduate programs with the hope of attaining higher degrees.
Fortunately, on-campus services exist to help ease the momentous transition — and sometimes trauma — of impending graduation.
The Office of Career Services located in Riverside is devoted to aiding students in their search for post-graduation employment and graduate program placement.
Among an assortment of informational presentations and seminars, they offer workshops, job fairs and networking events to help connect UT students with prospective employers and internship possibilities.
“Last week alone, we had 12 employer events scheduled in our office,” said Sheila Hood associate Director of Career Services.
Career Services is hosting a professional job fair on November 11 and an etiquette dinner the following evening.
Students interested in attending these or any other events throughout the year are encouraged to visit the event calendar at ut.edu/career/events.
Hood stressed the crucial value of such events as vehicles for getting connected and meeting other professionals in your chosen field of involvement.
“Statistics say that 75 to 80 percent of all jobs are found through networking, so students should take every opportunity to network,” she stated.
For those involved in the grueling process of constructing resumes or grad school applications, Career Services also provides extensive critiquing and polishing services.
Although walk-ins are occasionally accommodated, it is recommended that students secure an appointment either through paper forms in the office or via email at hire@ut.edu.
Hood expressed her adamant belief that newcomers to the university should waste no time in preparing for their future careers.
“Students should start preparing for the working world as soon as they enter the university, [by] gaining experimental education, joining professional organizations, participating in clubs and organizations on campus and taking a leadership role in them, attending job fairs to gain information and later to apply for internships and jobs,” she said.
According to a 2009 study released by the University of Washington in partnership with the Kaplan Center, students should begin researching programs and securing strong professorial recommendations at least six months prior to their application deadline.
Applicants should be convinced of their personal motivations in pursuing higher education and
honest to themselves about their strengths, weaknesses and accomplishments.
Prospective graduate students should take time to rehearse their presentation and interaction skills and devote themselves fully to studying for standardized admission tests in their chosen field of study.
Whether applying to graduate school or trying to break into the world of work as a UT graduate, the statistics for success are far from discouraging.
A survey of 513 participants from the 2008 graduating class indicated that an astounding majority of 96 percent of students achieved their personal post graduate goals within a year of leaving UT and that nearly 50 percent had already done so by graduation.
Sixty-seven percent of the surveyed students found rewarding employment, 17 percent were accepted to prestigious graduate schools, 7 percent managed to balance both and 5 percent fulfilled their dreams for the future in other unspecified ways.
Through personal dedication and the guidance of the Career Services Center, students graduating this December and Fall can easily expect to weather the storm of uncertainty and meet with success in their future endeavors.
Jeffrey Palmer can be reached at jeffrey.palmer@spartans.ut.edu.