BY: D’Cara Hood
When you graduated from high school, how many of you thought finally, it is over? I am on my own ready to tackle the world! You were quick to thing college here I come. Then you suddenly realize holy cow, this was more than what I signed up for. You have more than average homework ridiculous exams, and professors who love you dearly. You contemplate to yourself that this will one day be for the greater good!
Those now four or five years have passed you by, and you made it to the finish line. Graduation is upon you, then reality hits you like a ton of bricks. Some graduates have the details of their life panned while others seem to find the task impossible. What could possibly be next for me? College graduation is an exciting time, but with that comes fear, anxiety and stress. Students are faced with major decisions such as relocation, landing a job, or to continue their education. Instead of having a midlife crisis, it is more like having a mid-quarter life crisis.
Colleges and Universities award more than one million degrees every year to deserving scholars. You think to yourself hey, I am in that one million that’s an accomplishment. Often weeks even months go by, and you are still stuck in that retail job with a bachelor’s degree now we know that’s not what we worked for. I found myself talking to recent graduates, and even with my expected graduation date rapidly approaching, I am like a deer in headlights. Graduating and being responsible for your own bills seems to be the consensus. You are not use to $800 rent, light bill, cable and Wi-Fi bills. By this you are just ready to shout uncle and say can I be a kid again.
I feel like the absolute key to being successful after Graduation is having a strong network. Being involved while you are in school, completing internships only gives you the thumbs up to go and reach for the stars. Creating a strong online presence and a LinkedIn account gives your future employers a place to start to find the best you! So, I know graduating and hitting the real world is scary but hold your head up. It is your first day out, so go and show the world!