Post Grad: What the Real World Looks like After Graduating

College graduation is an exciting time. For the past 12+ years we have been working towards receiving a higher education, a degree that can make our families proud, but also allow us to achieve a dream job. As we graduate from college, we embark on a new chapter, a new journey where we begin to understand the reality of being an adult and having to now learn to take on responsibilities such as paying your own rent, etc. I grew up with friends who had to work at an early age to support themselves, to friends who were dependent on financial aid and student loans, and to friend whose parents helped along the way. I was fortunate to have my parents help me when it came to financial support, but I also had the help of financial aid and student loans. As I began to live in an apartment that is where I realized how much it takes to live on your own and why it's important to save money when it comes to paying bills.

As you graduate from college, one thing I wish that more people would be let known is that getting a job is not as easy as one may think it to be. Having received a degree doesn't help much when applying (depending the degree you got). What matters most when applying to jobs now is 1) experience 2) certification (CPR, etc.) and 3) references. Most jobs look for how many years one has worked in a specific field and what other certifications does one has that can benefit upon applying for that job. Looking back at the years I spent in college, I wish I would have took time to work more or took an internship that would help me learn more for whatever career I aspire to achieve.

Therefore, for those who are in college or about to start college, think of what you would like to pursue in regards to jobs, and ask for help or find internships that will allow you to explore the field more in order to get experience for when you apply to jobs. You will have to have the internship or job as experience in the field. There may be times when you may be unsure if you want to continue to pursue the same major or career and that is OKAY. It happens. Being able to to explore and learn about the career you are interested in and working in the specific field will help you to see if it is something that you can see yourself working in for the next years. You can always return back to school for a Masters and continue on with your degree if that is what you would like to do.