It’s funny to think that after three strenuous years, I (along with the rest of the 2017 class) will be graduating college in May. My years in college have flown by so quickly that I’ve barely been given a chance to catch my breath and think about the future after graduation. The real world is terrifying compared to the fun and games that college has given me, and not knowing where I’m going to end up is pretty scary. But I’m here to tell you that it is okay to not know what you want to do after you graduate, because eventually you will end up where you’re supposed to be.

After going to countless networking and career oriented events (yikes) I have learned that it is actually rare to graduate college and go directly into the field that you think you’re best suited for. So many people who I’ve talked with have told me that they never imagined being in the careers that they are currently in, but they’re so grateful that they took risks and ended up where they are now. The most important part about searching for your career is to know yourself and be yourself during the process. Knowing yourself can help you find a job that will suit your personality; from understanding who you work well with to your most noticeable skills. It’s also important to keep an open mind in anything you are offered; like I said, you never know where you’re going to end up. No matter what kind of job you're looking for, here are five job hunting tips to help you.

1. Always, always, always be early to EVERYTHING! From career fairs to interviews. It shows that you are dependable and that you have great time-management skills.

2. Don't be afraid to ask tons of questions! While networking, it's important that you stand out from everyone else in the room, and having great questions about the company is a good way to accomplish that.

3. Research the company BEFORE you get to an event or interview. Going along with the last tip, you can't ask knowledgeable questions if you don't know some history about the company. It'll also make you sound smart and will definitely impress the company employees.

4. Smile, use poise, eye contact, hand motions, and be bubbly! Your positivity and nonverbal communication will definitely attract others in the room.

5. Don't get too overwhelmed, and have fun! In the process of searching for your first big time job next semester, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your last year of college! College years are the BEST years of your life, and you certainly don’t want to look back and regret not having fun your last year because you were so focused on making sure you had your job lined up. So seniors, don’t freak out about not having your life together quite yet because I’m here to say, none of us have our lives together just yet. We have to take it day by day and learn from our mistakes. But no worries senior, we will get there one day.