College Seniors: It’s Almost Time for the Real World!

Hey, seniors, it’s time to get serious! Graduation is coming up, and it’s time to start making a post-graduation plan. Stop putting off your future and start progressing toward your goals instead! The process can be very scary and overwhelming, but I have a few tips to guide you through it.

A Portfolio to Stand Out

Something I highly suggest is building a portfolio of your work. A portfolio shows employers, colleges, and scholarship committees more about what you can do than a cover letter and resume can on their own. You can also add portfolios to career sites such as LinkedIn as a way to advertise yourself to employers. There are several free and easy-to-use websites you can utilize to put together a portfolio. Some examples I’m familiar with are Adobe Express, Canva, Notion, WordPress, and Wix.

There are a few general things to consider putting in your portfolio: an “about me” page, your work from past courses, any other sample work, skills, accomplishments, awards, certifications, and references. There might also be specific things that you’ll need based on your intended major/future career field. So, I recommend researching example portfolios that pertain to your field to get an even better idea of what your portfolio should include!

Time to Start Job Searching 

It’s time to start planning what you are going to do post-graduation, which means applying to jobs and internships! This process is overwhelming at first, but there are many resources to help you find opportunities. Cumberlands has a Career Services department that offers free resources such as access to recruiting sites, resume and cover letter workshops, interview techniques, and career fairs. You can also ask your professors if they know of any connections. Some good websites to use for job searches are Indeed, Handshake, Glassdoor, or going to the direct websites of companies you have in mind. You can also join online career groups.

A great platform for this is LinkedIn. You can join groups and networks that are special to career fields and advertise yourself within those circles, which could lead to employers noticing you and contacting you. Cumberlands also offers Cumberlands Connect, a website made specifically for their alumni. By joining this platform, you can tap into an enthusiastic network of alumni who can offer guidance, mentoring, and career opportunities.

Making Living Arrangements

Something that isn’t often talked about but is important to think about is what your living situation will be after graduation. There are multiple options, such as getting a place of your own, rooming with someone to split costs, moving back home, and sometimes certain internships will provide housing. When deciding this, consider where your career may be at, your financial state, and your lifestyle preferences to understand which option is best for you. 

If you know that you want to rent or buy a place, it is a good idea to start saving for it as soon as possible, as well as doing research on apartment/housing options and potential areas to live. You might also want to consider whether or not you’d like to have a roommate. Sharing your space can be a great way to cut down on costs. If you’re thinking of rooming with someone, then add “roommate search” to your list of “to-dos” so that you don’t end up having someone random live with you last minute (talk about awkward). 

If you decide to go back home to live with your parents or other relatives, you’re not alone! A lot of recent graduates have chosen this option to save money. For instance, it is much easier to save for a downpayment on your future home if you are not paying rent or if your rent is relatively low with this option. If living with relatives is not an option, or you’d simply rather not pursue it, there is another option! I suggest looking into internships or jobs that provide employee housing or help with relocation. They can be tricky to find sometimes, but they do exist if you look hard enough!

You Got This!

I hope these tips help give you a guide on what you can do right now to get a head start. Don’t forget, you can always reach out to Career Services, your professors, your success coordinator, counselors, and others in your support network for help and guidance!  You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself! This current time may seem a little scary, but you got this!