The first few weeks of my senior year of high school were spent getting well-organized and ready for my very last chapter in the place that I had called home for the past three years. My mind was constantly filled with thoughts about the future and where life would take me after I graduated.

While sitting in the library with a handful of friends, I decided that I should go through some current job postings, just to get an idea of what I would soon be looking into and applying for. I came across a handful of jobs that truly interested me and it almost seemed surreal that this was my new reality.

After scrolling through a few pages, I noticed something unusual that all of the postings had in common. Under the requirements for each posting read, "at least __ years of experience in the field needed."

Confused, I thought, "How am I supposed to have all this experience when I just graduated?" The thought sat with me for a while until it finally hit me that this was the new norm.

Regardless of whether you just graduated or are new to the field, all current job postings are now requiring at least one year of experience. Not only are individuals expected to graduate high school and go to college, now they are expected to juggle their studies, in addition to holding some type of position during their college education so that they have "experience".

Most college students are also expected to juggle some type of extra-curricular activity, and most work part-time to be able to afford the cost of college away from home. With a packed schedule, college students don't seem to get enough credit.

A bachelor's degree is no longer all an individual needs to get themselves out and flourishing in the real world–society today expects so much more. It is expected of individuals to now go above and beyond just obtaining a college degree. They want to hire someone with experience and an understanding of the field.

As time goes on, this topic will only become an even more competitive one. Companies will expect even more out of potential new employees and will want them to be the very best of the best.

To the incoming college student–use all of this information to your advantage. Get involved, join clubs early, and get your foot in the door whenever an opportunity comes your way. The sooner you establish your place in all different types of organizations, the less overwhelming it will be when you suddenly realize how much is expected of you when you get to the real world.