New graduates prepare for life after college

UW-River Falls is expecting 479 students to graduate this fall and with the United States in a recession, concerns about life after college may start to surface.

However, according to experts, they may not need to worry.

Graduating students have a lot on their plate during their final few months of school.

Not only are they making an effort to pass all of their classes so they are able to graduate, but they are starting to look for jobs, internships or graduate schools.

With the recession, concerns about being hired right out of college is a concern that is on quite a few students’ minds.

However, according to an article by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers are expected to hire approximately 10.2 percent more recent college graduates in 2012 than they did in 2011.

“My main concern is just not finding anything that I’m passionate about,” said Anastasia Anderson, a senior marketing communications major.

Anderson plans to graduate this fall and said that she started looking for jobs around Thanksgiving, but didn’t get into job searching too seriously until December.

The NACE article explained that in 2010, on average, employers reported about 45 job postings where as in 2011 it increased to around 105 postings.

Currently there is a new average of about 116 job postings being made.

Career Services, which is located in 211 Hagestad Hall, is prepared to help those graduating apply for jobs by providing career assessments, individual career counseling, helping develop resumes, cover letters, portfolios, polishing interview skills and many other services that can be found on the Career Services website.

Students are able to make an appointment with a staff member to help you on the pathway for success.

“December graduates should remember that Career Services will work with alumni free of charge,” said Melissa Wilson, director of Career Services.

Helping to make sure that a graduate remains successful during their life is something Career Services strives for.

To have the materials you will need ready to go for an interview is key.

“They (employers) want someone that can hit the ground running,” Wilson said.

“Their application needs to be flawless.”

Anderson said that although she hasn’t been into Career Services quite yet, they have come to her senior seminar class a few times to talk to them about interviewing and what they’ll need to apply for a job. She said that she plans to take advantage of the service even after she graduates as well.

For Anderson, she feels she is ready to graduate and said to make sure you have good time management, but also make sure you have time for fun because college goes by fast.

Although she’s been busy with schoolwork, she has already managed to land herself a job.
“I just got a job at the YMCA where I am creating events for youth to participate in,” Anderson said. “I would love to continue to work with the Y and work as an event coordinator and plan events and triathlons.”

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, there will be a Minnesota Job and Internship Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

This fair has a larger variety of potential career opportunities than the previous Career Fair on campus and students and alumni are encouraged to attend.
“There is a link on our website to sign up,” Wilson said. “It’s linked under Spring 2013 Career Events.”

There will also be other upcoming events in Spring 2013 for those who are not able to graduate quite yet but it’s in the near future. Some of those events include: Runway to Success, Networking Social, Etiquette Dinner and Mock Interview Day.