Graduation is a time for celebration. But what comes next?
Photo Courtesy of HuffPost
In less than 30 days, the lives of countless college seniors will change forever. With graduation quickly approaching, it can be difficult for students to enjoy their accomplishments without thinking about life after graduation.
Graduating from college and starting a new chapter can be intimidating yet fulfilling. However, it can also be one of the most depressing times for those who have yet to find their way post-undergrad.
The pressure many seniors face is to not only please themselves but to also make their families proud. Graduating and obtaining a job or getting accepted into graduate school can be stressful for any college senior.
Jaterikca Hill is a graduating nursing student at Florida State University. With several years of experience in the medical field, Hill received her CNA license in high school and has interned at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare as a nursing assistant.
“I'm so excited to be finishing up my degree but the thought of not only finding a job but passing the NCLEX exam will be most rewarding,” Hill said.
Hill hopes to work as a registered nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital in her hometown of Atlanta. Her long term goal is to start a mentoring group where highschool and college women will receive a mentor to guide them as they matriculate through nursing school.
According to an article published in Forbes magazine, about 44 percent of college students graduate and work in jobs that do not require a degree. Thus, a large percentage of students are underemployed. However, graduating senior Kayla Brown will not fall in that group.
“I cannot wait to start my career,” said Brown, a graduating senior majoring in criminal justice at Florida A&M University.
Brown has received a conditional job offer from Orange Country where she will be working as an corrections officer.
“Coming from a family of police officers and being a military child, I knew this would also be my career path. My family has paved the way. I'm fortunate to have a job right out of college,” said Brown.
Brown has had numerous internships within Leon and Orange counties where she has gained hands-on experience that has set her apart from all other applicants.
According to “6 Hardcore Facts About Life-After University” by Toby Nwazor, it is much more difficult to obtain a job after college. The Huffington Post article also described job hunting as a job within itself. The process of hunting for a job can take months at a time before you receive any notification or conditional job offer.