Nervous about the real world...

[1heart1way]

Ok, so I'll be graduating pretty soon (ok, in a year). What is life like after graduation? Is it "weird" to not be in class? What's the financial situation like? Did you live with parents for a while to save up? What about your social life...what's it all like??

Sorry there's so many questions...I feel like I'm not prepared, especially in the j-o-b area. Did you find jobs right after graduation...did anyone do an internship?


Aaaah....any tips or stuff like that would be appreciated!

[SigK_Bama]

What is life like after graduation? Not too different, you just stop going to class. If you've got your stuff together it won't be bad, but you've got to deal with getting new car and life insurance if you were on your parents' insurance while you were in college, getting a job that offers good health insurance, having nice clothes to interview in, etc.
Is it "weird" to not be in class? No, it was nice.
What's the financial situation like? I was broke LOL
Did you live with parents for a while to save up? Nope, I scraped up every penny I had and had my own place.
What about your social life...what's it all like?? Social life is nothing like what it was in school, if you do it right. Some people can still party until 3am and then get up at 7am for work the next morning, but they don't last long in the work force. After about 6 months of working and not going out, my alcohol tolerance was back to a pre-college level and the idea of staying up that late didn't appeal to me at all.

It took me a few months to find a job - graduated in May and got the job in August. I waitressed in the meantime. Hook up with a job placement service in your area - they're free and they'll secure the interviews for you so you don't have to. I called every business in my field that I could find in the Yellow Pages and sent resumes to all of them. You have to make follow up calls and send thank you notes for interviews and if you decline a job, do it politely. It can be a rough transition, but 99% of people come through it just fine.

[BetteDavisEyes]

What is life like after graduation?
That's a loaded question. It differs from person to person. I personally liked not having to rush from class to class, fight for parking, etc.

Is it "weird" to not be in class?
Yeah it is but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

What's the financial situation like?
Again, it depends on you. If you're lucky and/or blessed, it won't be a hardship. For others, it's a continuous struggle.

Did you live with parents for a while to save up?
I lived with my mom & while she was glad I had finally finished, there was always that pressure to quit my old job & find a "real" one b/c with a degree, I'm automatically supposed to land a huge paying job.

What about your social life...what's it all like??
My social life pretty much went down the drain b/c I was always preparing for job searches, planning a wedding, preparing to move into the new house we had bought. You do realize that after graduation, some friends move away while others are still there with you.

Did you find jobs right after graduation...did anyone do an internship?
I did not do an internship nor did I find a dream job. What happened is that I left my position in special education b/c I was getting burned out by teaching. I ended helping out my sister "temporarily" by training her new office & marketing manager as well as the person in charge of payroll. The first candidate decided it was too stressful for her so she quit and the second candidate spent more time calling in, being late, & finding excuses as to why he couldn't do the work so I ended up doing it after firing him. I've been here since. I figure this is not my permanent job but rather another temporary one while I finish my Masters & get my teaching Credential.


Don't stress yourself out by thinking it's a life or death situation if you don't find a job right away. There are lots of people here in GC that will tell you it took them months & in some cases over a year to find a good job/career. Don't let yourself be pressured by family and/or a significant other to get settled right away either. I've learned that you can definitely make yourself sick if you're unhappy at work to the point that you're in tears before the day even starts. Just relax, prepare a killer resume and cover letter, & be yourself.

Good-luck!

[Drolefille]

Originally posted by 1heart1way
Ok, so I'll be graduating pretty soon (ok, in a year). What is life like after graduation? For me, it's an 8-5 job, living at home and applying to graduate school, your experience will probably vary.

Is it "weird" to not be in class?
Yes, and I miss it. This is one of the reasons I'm going back to school in the fall. At the same time, it's been midterms and it's going to be finals soon and I can't say I don't miss that stress.

What's the financial situation like? Pre-job, i was busted. Now, Even on just $8/hr I'm doin alright and saving money. Of course I'm living at home...

Did you live with parents for a while to save up? Yes, mostly because I'm not sure where I'm going to school in August, so once I know, I'll be moving.


What about your social life...what's it all like?? Since most of my friends are either a) still in school or b) far away, I spend most of my time with my boyfriend. Of course, I was boring before, but now I go to bed at 11 or so. I am discovering the wonders that are weekend mornings. I'd rather do stuff then than try to stay up late and be tired at work.

Did you find jobs right after graduation...did anyone do an internship? I'm technically an intern, but it's not in my field. As a psych major I have to go to graduate school to work in my field, so I'm in IT for the moment, but the job worked for me.


Aaaah....any tips or stuff like that would be appreciated! Take it one step at a time. Save money now if you're not moving home. Go to the Career Center on campus and look for resume/interview advice and job listings if you're looking to go into the real world.

I keep getting told that I'm at the age where I should move far away to some big city. I disagree. I intend on doing that in several years (when I'm 26 instead of 22) and really live there instead of just squeaking by. That's the plan anyway

[SigmaKappaRoyal]

Originally posted by 1heart1way

Is it "weird" to not be in class?
it's good and not.. you're used to class, and if you like learning and just the general lifestyle of school then you'll miss it a little bit. but then i think of all the papers i had to write and all the studying, and homework.. and i say damn i could have to write a paper right now. i love that when my work day is over, my work day is over. i did have dreams, tho, where i would be back in school for just one class cos i missed my professor! lol

What's the financial situation like?
i had some money from graduating and i blew through it and put more on credit.. ugh. now i am working and working on paying off credit cards, etc.

Did you live with parents for a while to save up?
i was anyway, so i stayed.. the rent i pay is a LOT lower. but i'm moving x-country in may, so i'll be on my own. i would definitely suggest moving back home until you find a good job, save up, try to pay off some bills, loans, etc., and then you can move once the job sitch is settled.

What about your social life...what's it all like?
i wasn't the most party animal out there, but i think this is the hardest thing. once you are gone and out of the sorority, it's hard to not be "in" on thngs anymore. i still hang out with friends, but my schedule is different from theirs. sometimes it's hard hearing about all the fun they are having together and i wonder why i wasn't invited.. i think you just have to think that the burden to keep in contact is on you because undergrad friends are so busy with school/sorority/homework, etc.

Did you find jobs right after graduation...did anyone do an internship? yeah, no. i didn't find a job until november. but then again i didn't try very hard. i used my grad money to chill until i found something i wanted to take.

Aaaah....any tips or stuff like that would be appreciated! CONSOLIDATE YOUR LOANS! i can't stress that enough. i missed out on a 2% rate and now am at a 5%. save some money. try to pay off some stuff. do a budget! i did a simple list on excel with what i owe during each paycheck period and it really really really helps.

definitely just go with what you feel is right. if you don't feel ready to go to the big city and struggle, then don't. save up some money, do some research and figure out what you *really* want to do.

and pm me if you want to talk about anything!

[PSUSigKap]

Originally posted by 1heart1way

Is it "weird" to not be in class?

The summer after I graduated ('04) felt like a normal summer . August/September was when it felt weird. I felt like I should be gearing up to go back and I wasnt. This past year it wasn't so bad. I think it fades as time goes on. It's nice not to have to worry about tests and papers and stuff.


What's the financial situation like?

I am really lucky in that my parents have supported me since I graduated.

Did you live with parents for a while to save up?

Yes and no. After I graduated my parents were still in Egypt so I went "home" to Colorado to live with my sister. She's at Colorado State and my parents have a town home there. May '05 my parents got back to the States (Houston). They had given me a year in Denver to see if I could get a job in PR. I didn't, so I moved to Houston in June '05. I've been living with them since. BUT I just got a new job so I'm FINALLY moving out at the end of May.

What about your social life...what's it all like?

When I was in Colorado it was more like college. Fort Collins is a college town and a couple of my high school friends (yes from Jakarta) were finishing up at CSU. Here in Houston living in the suburbs with the 'rents, my social life is pretty much non existant. I'm pretty far from the bars and clubs in the main part of Houston. I do hang out with some of the women I work with and some of the Sigma Kappas I've met here. If I'd stayed on the east coast (DC or Philly) where more of my friends are, I probably would be leading more of a college social life.

Did you find jobs right after graduation...did anyone do an internship?

I did a PR internship the fall I was in Colorado. When I got to Houston I got a job at The Limited and was promoted fairly quickly. My new job is doing PR and marketing for an accountinf firm. Like I said earlier it's taken almost two years to find the right job.

Aaaah....any tips or stuff like that would be appreciated!

Just keep on truckin'. Not everyone lands their dream job right out of college. For me it took a lot of time and persistance. I am lucky that my parents were willing and able to help me both financially & emotionally. It IS stressful, but rewarding in the end. Keep your chin up and good things will come to you! Both moves I made, I contacted the Sigma Kappa alum chapter right away. It's a built in social net right off. I don't know where, if and how far you're planning on moving away from your school, but there's bound to be some sort of alum association for them too. It's a great way to meet people.

[1heart1way]

Thanks for all of those wonderful replies...I'm sure I'll have more questions...

I'm trying not to stress out!