Well, this is it. After nearly four years, I'll walking across the stage as a graduate of Shippensburg University. I still have a hard time believing that my next step in life is trying to get my first "real" job after spending most of my young life going to school.
As I prepare for my departure from Shippensburg, I ask that the students of the current freshmen class take a minute to reflect on some of the advice I've learned that helped get me through college.
Get involved with student clubs/groups on campus.
This is one of the biggest pieces of advice I tell younger students when they enroll on campus. Joining clubs/groups/fraternities & sororities is, by far and away, one of the easiest ways to make friends and socialize at college.
By joining a club that focuses on professional development within your major, or a social group, you're surrounding yourself with people who share a common interest that you quickly build friendships off of.
Most of the friends I've made during college were through the clubs I was a member in. I will forever cherish the memories I've made with the people I'm fortunate to have met in SUTV and FUSE.
Take on as many internships as you can.
The classes you'll take in your major will help prepare you to work in the field you choose to enter. Internships, on the other hand, with give you the necessary practical experience that can't always be guaranteed in the classroom.
By having an internship, you're showing off to potential employers the skills you learn in class and applying it to real-world situations. That automatically makes you more marketable than those who didn't have an internship, which could make the difference.
Don't stress out about what you want to do after college.
Let's face it, college is stressful. Students stress out about a lot of things, especially the question of 'what am I going to do once I graduate?' Many college students, including myself, are guilty of doing this.
The fact of the matter is that there will be some students who know exactly what career they want when they get to college. Others might need a little bit more time to figure it out. That's perfectly fine!
Students will need to make their choice soon, but until then, they should take their time and examine all the options available to them.
I encourage all underclassmen to enjoy their time in college. It'll be over before you know it.
