In high school, college was the next big step in our lives. Now that we are all in college, our next big step seems more like a great big fall into a bottomless pit: a slightly more stressful situation. This bottomless pit is better known as the real world: a scary place with no lights and monsters around every corner. The idea is a daunting one, especially with the weight of finding a job on our shoulders. The sad reality is that many graduates have yet to find a job that even remotely resembles their major one year out of college. What’s even scarier is that loans need to start being paid off a short six months after graduation.
Students who manage a job, their school work, and extracurricular activities know now how hard it can be to make sure everything gets done and that responsibilities are managed. Sometimes it really does come down to prioritizing. Others know how hard it can be to actually find a job while in school or even during the summer. Jobs that were once open to teenagers are being given to adults who have lost their jobs. Times are changing, and they are changing quickly. Students trying to find acceptable internships can tell you how hard it really is, especially for some majors with particularly picky requirements. Because of budget cuts, students are finding that internship programs are the first programs to go. Once the gateway to finding a job, internships now are harder to come by and sometimes do not result in employment opportunities afterwards. All these things make the real world slightly more unappealing. Do I really have to go?
Because jobs and internships have been cut down and are becoming more competitive, students need to prepare themselves for what is to come. The real world is a competition and it will be every man or woman for him/herself. That being said, it is safe to say that students should take the time they have here to make sure that they present themselves to future opportunities and employers as best as possible, because one degree short of best can cost you a job. With all of the resources here on campus, there should be no reason students can’t be as prepared as they can be for the future. Career services offers a variety of services to students, including resume help, internship help, and classes on interviewing tips and techniques. If anyone is not too confident in going to an interview or in writing a resume, the people in Career Services are more than willing to help. Please go visit them!
However, the one major key element that I feel many people need to work on is the level of professionalism that we portray in various situations. I see the lack of professionalism throughout this campus sometimes. It’s something that has to be addressed, especially if people want to succeed after college. A majority of the time, the lack of professionalism comes into play at meetings held on campus. Professionalism is something that students, and even some teachers, should not put off learning. Take this time, and the useful tips below, to better yourselves as professionals. Also, use classes and club meetings as prime locations to practice.
Excellence is the driving force of professionals. They live to excel at what they do and do it in the best possible way. They put in their maximum efforts in getting the task done, without holding back. For students, this means give everything your best effort. Don’t do anything haphazardly, just because you feel someone else will pick up your slack. Whether you are on the e-board of a club or just a general member, be as involved as you can be. Make the effort to succeed, because excellence will only happen if you strive for it.
Professionals take their job very seriously, follow disciplined routines, and take pride in their work. The seriousness is reflected through their punctuality and sincerity at work. They believe in maintaining the quality of their work. Students take everything seriously, especially classes. You pay for each class you take and wasting a class is like wasting money. Part of taking something seriously is arriving on time for things. Punctuality is an important skill to try to master. Always remember the following. If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, why bother coming at all. Apply this to your classes, meetings, and every scheduled event; it shows your dedication to things.
Lastly, professionalism deals a great deal with how you speak to other people. Many times, people break professionalism when something has upset them, or they feel the need to complain about something. Attitudes start flying and tones are usually anything from pleasant. Add in the sarcasm, and you will find yourself in a recipe for disaster. Respect seems to fly out the window in situations like these. Always remember to keep your cool, be respectful, and say what you need to say in a calm, collective way. No side gets heard if both sides are firing at each other at the same time. Always remember, if someone even suspects a hint of attitude, your chances of getting through are close to zero. Be respectful to people managing clubs, meetings, activities, and classes. Give as much respect as you can, because in the end, you end up gaining so much back.
To those of you graduating this spring, all I can say is good luck. It’s not an easy world to navigate. When some people fall, they hit the ground hard. However, there’s no reason to not build your parachute while you’re here. That way you can lessen the impact. Take the time you have left to fix things that need fixing. To those who have more time, use it!
