Black Voices

Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Opinion

What are you doing after graduation?

I knew it was coming. Every semester it got a little closer. Yet it is just now starting to really sink in. Graduation is only nine weeks away. The booths selling class rings and announcements were one thing, but the career fair put everything into perspective for me. Seeing so many students dressed in their professional attire, resumes in one hand, the other free awaiting handshakes. Everyone was meeting recruiters and attempting to market themselves to potential employers. It was exciting meeting all of the different recruiters and learning about so many different opportunities available; however, it was scary seeing just how many other students were interested in the exact same position I was, and also realizing that this is real. Whether I am ready or not, it is time to start preparing for life after college.

Although our majors, personalities, and personal circumstances vary, surprisingly, the majority of us share the same mixed emotions in regards to life after college. While the thought of graduating is extremely exciting, and most of us are really proud of all that we have accomplished, there are also feelings of anxiety, doubt, and fear about what lies ahead. We question our abilities, our potential, and we have a tendency to fear the prospect of having a career that doesn't resemble the ones we've imagined we would have. The ambiguity of it all can be a lot to cope with. "What am I going do with my life?" "Should I attend Grad school?" "Where will I work?" "How much money will I make?" These are questions that the graduating class is asking themselves. We all think about it. And all the while we are contemplating these things; the people closest to us are asking the big question as well, "What are you going to do after you graduate"?

It seems like there is no escaping it. I really do wish that every time someone asked I could pull out my planner and point out this decisive course of action over the next 4 years, but that's not realistic, heck I couldn't even do that for college! Nevertheless, saying "I don't know" opens up this door of vulnerability that amongst other things, welcomes other people's advice on what they think you should do.

Consequently, maybe the hardest part is not just making decisions about what we want to do after college, but also taking into account the expectations from the people closest to us. Sometimes people's opinions have a greater effect on us than we know. For instance, maybe you have ruled out a career choice based on your interpretation of what your family or friends would think. Perhaps you did not say it aloud, but subconsciously you knew it would not be something that you would enthusiastically share. Nevertheless, this additional pressure is only a small part of day to day living. We are still trying to finish up this last semester (we still have to graduate first), network, keep that part-time job, and embrace what is left of our college experience.

Continued...

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