College is all about experiencing all that you can and not worrying about the future because you can never get these day back, right?
Right, until you get to your senior year and you’re filling out your grad application and going to grad checks. Or maybe, you share a special moment with a group of friends and suddenly it hits, this could be my last time doing this with these people.
At some point during your senior year it will hit you that you are nearing the end. Whether it’s a gradual realization where you prepare yourself daily or it hits you full on like a freight train. You’re graduating whether you like it or not, but will you be ready?
Senior year is terrifying, nerve wracking and a whirlwind to say the least. If you simply have some sort of plan as to how you want to conduct your senior year and what you do after you graduate, senior year is guaranteed to be an exciting time instead of nail biting one. The senior editors of The Southern share their tips for preparing for senior year and beyond.
Rebecca Padgett
Opinions Editor
I’ve known what I want to do with my career ever since I came to FSC.
My professors have really helped to shape my dream career as a journalist into a reality.
This being said my plans have completely been reshaped during my senior year. Reality hit me that moving to New York City and working for Vogue or another highly recognized magazine is probably not possible right away.
It is still what I know I want to do, but it is going to take determination, persistence and a whole lot of cash. Realistically, I don’t have the funds or experience to start off right away in New York.
I know I will be happy working for smaller magazines and publications while building my resume and bank account so that I can make that step towards my ultimate goal.
My biggest tip is to go after your dream job, but just know you may have to take some baby steps to get there. The most successful people have worked their way up to get where they are today.
Kelly Lamano
Co-Editor
I think it’s important to establish your career goals early on. It’s okay to change these goals or plans, but it’s important to plan ahead and have some sort of idea as to what you want to do or where you want to start off.
When I came to FSC, I was originally a Psychology major. I still love the subject, but I realized it wasn’t the right path for me to take. Once I changed my major, I changed my mind set, as well as my career choice.
If you have a passion for something, you have to take risks and get the experience you need to work your way up to that dream job.
The dreaded job search involves looking through countless applications asking for applicants with a “preferred five years of experience.” How can you gain experience if every job is already asking for experience? It can get frustrating, but you have to be persistent and keep looking.
I would love to write for a magazine or newspaper in New York City. However, I know I will have to start small, build up my resume and portfolio and learn from people in the field.
You have to be open-minded in taking advice, and receiving constructive criticism. It’s okay to make mistakes along the way, just be sure to be open in asking for help.
As for my social life, I have made a list with my friends of things I want to accomplish with them before I graduate. Some nights, we’ll be reflecting and I’ll say things such as, “this is the last Halloween party we’re throwing,” or “we have to do this before I graduate!”
It’s bittersweet. While I will miss my friends, professors and all the wonderful experiences FSC has given me, I am ready to begin a new chapter of my life.
Danielle Burch
Entertainment Editor
I have always had an idea of what I wanted to do after college, but through the years that plan has grown and changed.
It’s important to have a plan, but it’s more important for that plan to be more of a long term one rather than a fresh out of college one.
You have to look at the big picture rather than just the right now. This means possibly working at a crappy job for a few years before becoming stable enough to move on to a better career path.
This might also mean putting aside that dream of living on your own and sucking it up to live with mom and dad to save a few bucks.
It’s great to dream big and have your idea life after college, but this isn’t a fairy tale movie where you graduate and get the job. This is the real world and attaining that dream life may mean making a few sacrifices.