Junior year is not only the halfway point of your college years, but it’s also the time when you start to realize that post-grad life is creeping on you — and so are the pressures of the real world. You realize that the major you’ve been working on for the past four semesters has to turn into a career when you graduate from your days as a student. When you’ve been going to school for the past two decades, it’s hard to imagine life without school being your full-time job. Post-grad anxiety is like the “Sunday scaries” and pre-Monday jitters; you know you should start preparing for the week (or post-grad life) ahead, but you’re just not sure where to begin. Here are some relatable feelings you might experience this year when you start thinking about graduating into the real world. But don’t worry, I have a few tips that might reassure you.
1. “Should I already have an internship?”
By junior year, it might feel like a lot of your friends and classmates have already landed an internship or job related to their post-grad plans. While it’s hard not to compare yourself to your peers, it’s also important to remember that there are a lot of factors that go into landing an internship. Maybe your friend who got that amazing, competitive summer internship already had connections in the industry? Or maybe their career path simply has more opportunities for potential interns? Either way, don’t worry about stacking your own job experience against anyone else’s. Instead, keep focusing on ways you can get involved in your career, either on campus or out in the professional world!
2. “Maybe I should get some help with my resume…”
At this point, you’ve probably played around with the format and content of your resume a few times, but you still might not be sure exactly what employers are looking for. Do you still need to include your high school GPA? What extracurricular activities are worth listing? What exactly qualifies as a skill? If you’ve asked yourself any or all of these questions, you might want to consider having someone review your resume and give you a second opinion. Your school’s career center is a great place to start, where you can find resources to help you with resumes, cover letters, interviews, and more!
3. “Seriously, do I need a LinkedIn?”
You’ve nailed your Instagram aesthetic, perfected the art of the Snapchat story, and achieved the wittiest remarks in 140 characters or less, but you’re still not so sure about this whole LinkedIn thing. While it may be a great tool for networking and cultivating a professional profile, like any other form of social media, it’s all about figuring out how to use it to your advantage. Again, book an appointment at your school’s career center, where an expert in all things networking can help you navigate the do’s and don’ts of LinkedIn.
4. “What kinds of internships/jobs should I be applying for?”
The first question you need to ask yourself is, “In a perfect world, what would you want to do after college?” While you’re most likely not going to graduate right into your dream job, it’s useful to set those ultimate goals now so you can figure out which jobs will eventually get you there. The important thing to remember is not to get discouraged, because any experience is a good experience. Apply to any and all jobs that interest you and fall under the umbrella of your industry. No job is too small to lead to something big.
5. “How do I make the most of my time in college?”
Even though the “post-grad scaries” (a new term I’ve just invented) might feel overwhelming right now, you can’t let the pressures of careers, internships, and graduation keep you from enjoying your college years. Junior year, as I’ve said in my past columns, is quite possibly the best time of your college career. So live it to the fullest while you can. All those post-grad fears, well, you can save them for senior year.