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With graduation just around the corner, seniors are finding finals week stressful with the combination of last minute papers, finals, presentations and more. Many students are finding themselves asking, what am I going to do after graduation?
Within any field, it is going to be tough finding a job in these tough economic times.
“I have not found full-time employment yet,” said current UWG alumna Alison Hibbard. “The search is going, but not looking hopeful. I've been lucky with finding fairly steady part-time work in my field.”
Hibbard graduated last year with a B.A. in education, and is still looking for a teaching job.
A current UWG alumnus, Keith Hales, is having the same problem as Hibbard. Hales graduated in 2007 with a B.A. in history and a minor in political science, and has been looking for a job ever since.
“In today’s flooded job market, employers are flooded with applications and it is very difficult to stand out among all the other candidates,” said Hales.
Finding a job after college is vital. With a job comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes paying bills. More than likely the bills will be heavier than before. Most student loans allow time to get a job with a normal six month grace period after graduation. After those six months, one has to start paying the monthly bill. Some students are also going to have to start paying for health insurance because they will be no longer eligible to be on their parent’s coverage.
“There are things you do not really think about when you are a student and being supported by your parents,” said Hibbard. “Health insurance, for example, was a challenge for me. I went without it for a little while before finally getting accepted for a new plan. I definitely think differently when making decisions, specifically financial decisions.”
Hales has also found himself to be more financially responsible since graduating.
“I have matured and grown up in so many ways since graduation,” he said. “I have become more responsible with the meager income that I support myself with.”
It is normal to find oneself constantly getting asked by friends and family where one plans on going in life. The first question students are asked is usually about career choice. After finding a career, one then has to decide where to live. But repetitive questions about jobs and location can seem like a broken record --there is more to graduating than that.
Know that freedom from exams and countless hours of reading and studying can seem like such a free feeling. Keep one’s head in the game and become a great role model for the other students in the lower years.
Remember not to take anything for granted while enjoying the last week before graduation, especially the friendships that one has made. Eventually, friends will all move separate ways, and some might even miss the college life. Growing up is tough, but all have to do it someday.
It is all a humbling experience. Knowing that one will not be a student anymore is very surreal.
Congratulations seniors!
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