As a senior, I have an acute fear of graduating. I fear unemployment, moving back in with my mother, or worse yet, the dreaded retail job. This fear has followed me since I finished my sophomore year and half of my time in college. Since then, I have been asking my siblings, parents, friends, hobos, pretty much anyone who would listen about graduating. I did not want to end up like so many of our generation, lost and searching for what we should do next. Here are some truths about graduating I've picked up along the way and have helped it seem far less scary.
5. You Can Change Your Career Path
Even if you've told your grandmother 50 times that you're going to be a lawyer, she, and the rest of your family, will not hold it against you if you decide to change what you want to do. You can even return to school and try your hand at something else.
4. Try Other Things
If you decided to get a degree in biology, intended on being a doctor, but love baking more than dissecting, perhaps try a few cooking classes, or seriously consider if medical school is for you. If it's not, don't dig yourself into even more debt over a career you're not 100 percent committed to. Try as many things as possible; there is no one answer to what you are going to do for the rest of your life.
3. Start Small
A career is not something that is going to pop out of thin air and land in your hands. This is not Harry Potter and you are not the chosen one for a high-powered job...yet. Instead, think small; working at a crappy job for a year helps build your resume, gives you experience, and helps you make invaluable connections to others.
2. Be Where You Are
Figure out where you want to live and work before leaving college. This will help you avoid your parents' basement or the super senior experience. You know the person I'm talking about—that girl or guy who graduated, but can't seem to let go of college.
1. A Retail Job is Not a Death Sentence
Working in retail or restaurants is not the worst thing that can happen. For now, it gives you a cushion. A way to start paying off debts and establishing yourself. This job also gives you time to consider where you want to be and how you you are going to get there. These relatively mindless jobs will really give you time. They are not forever, they are for now.
