The semester is finally coming to a close and finals are upon us ready to slay all of those who failed to prepare throughout the semester. As I finish registering for my last semester at Lehman College, I cant help but think of my future endeavors. There are seemingly dozens of doors to go through when it comes to looking for a job to start a career. The options are vast, yet I find myself without a clear path to follow.

I think of some of my friends who are determined to become doctors and are planning to attend medical school in the fall. Others, who want to get a position teaching in academia or at a k-12 school. I, on the other hand, have no idea what I would like to do post-graduation as I have some options that are appealing to me. For example, I could take the P exam and try to become an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, or I could join the United States Marine Corps as an officer.

Whichever route I take, I have a good feeling that I will be able to succeed in it. However, now I take some time to reflect. Attending a commuter school in New York City has had its benefits. I have been exposed to different cultures, ideals, and of course, careers. I have met people from all types of fields imaginable and I have been able to improve my understanding of what I should do immediately after graduation.

It starts today, although I am a little late, as to be honest, the best case scenario is to begin to look for jobs well in advance of graduation, preferably on at the near end of your junior year. I think creating a plan is a must for any student that is nearing graduation as having a plan will help avoid the panic and stress that arise from graduating without a job, and having to pay back loans to lending institutions. So go ahead, start your plans now, and don't wait until its too late.