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Life After College

Life After College

Do you remember that very first day of college as a freshman? You could hardly imagine where you would be four years later; or who you would become. But, here you are, ready to finish up that final essay and embark on your new dream. There are tools that can help you be a success in this transition right on your campus. Take full advantage of the available resources and get ready to make your mark!

Visit the Career Center
If you haven't visited yet, do it now! The career services center on your campus can be an essential resource in planning for a career by assisting with career counseling, providing contacts for internship opportunities, and giving you advice and information about the resume and interview process. Using the career services center will give you an opportunity to have an unbiased and professional review of your resume and your interview skills. Plan to make an appointment with the career center before you schedule your first interview, if not sooner. They can help you avoid common interview mistakes and make sure you are putting your best foot forward in your resume.

Create a Resume
Your cover letter and resume are often your first contact with a potential employer. Make sure it is an impressive one! This is your chance to tell the employer about your qualifications and skills. A good resume can land you an interview while an unimpressive one can send you back to the job hunt. Do you need help creating your cover letter or resume? If so, Iowa Choices^® offers a cover letter creator and resume building tool under the "work" tab. Remember to use the career services center on your campus for advice! Never send out your resume without having it proofread and reviewed by someone else. Spelling mistakes and typos won't impress anyone.

Prepare for the Interview
Remember, you can only make a first impression once! With that in mind, be sure you prepare for your interview in advance. It is important to research the company you are meeting with so that you can show your interest in working for them. You should also prepare questions to ask during the interview. Don't forget to polish your interview skills and your shoes! Practice your answers to interview questions before you meet with a prospective employer. Use the job hunting tool available under the "work" tab in Iowa Choices^® to help you prepare.

Prepare for Graduate School
You may be thinking about continuing your education to attain a master’s or doctorate degree. Your advisor may have very helpful advice in terms of choosing a program. Also, consider the timing and how you will fund your program. A visit to the financial aid office is important as you begin planning for the next phase in your educational process. If you have already landed that perfect job, the human resources personnel may be able to provide advice about any tuition reimbursement or other employment education benefits for which you may qualify. Take advantage of the opportunity to increase your earning potential and career advancement opportunities by pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree.