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The class of 2016 graduates in two weeks and the post-graduation plans of each student are as diverse as the makeup of their class. For some students, the transition into the workplace is a seamless exciting milestone. For others, a job might not be their next step.
Maya Butler, a senior public relations major, said she understands why some students would not want to secure a job immediately after graduation, but she would rather work right after graduating.
“I feel like the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to secure the job you want. For me, I have to jump right into working so that I don’t get lazy and lose my sense of urgency. A lot of my peers feel like after working so hard to get through college, they need a break,” Butler said. “Then, they get stuck at jobs that are just meant to hold them over and not be their career. I went to school for a reason, and I am thankful that I will be able to jump right into my career path.”
While, some students will jump into the workforce, others might be weary of finally “adulting” and working in an office compared to enjoying the summer as now, graduated college students. The summer, which can be seen as either time to relax in the sun while simultaneously search for a job for some, it can be seen as a time to step into the professional world.
Malik Dye, a senior management information systems major, following a successful summer internship last year, is employed at Lockheed Martin in their Enterprise Business Services’ department.
He said that he understands why some students might want time to recharge after graduation. Dye explains that while there are benefits to having a job right after graduation, he can clearly see the rewards of not having one especially as those who work full-time after graduation will only have about two weeks of vacation time before being sometimes forced to work a standard 40-hour workweek.
“I feel as though many college students are so anxious to find jobs that they forget that being young is an opportunity to explore the world and discover new possibilities for living a life they love. Many students will likely take the first job offer that is presented to them even if it is not necessarily one that makes them happy due to the pressure of time, parents and money,” Dye said. “A college student who does not have a job soon after graduation will have an opportunity to stop and really think about the path they will take for their lives.
For the students who are unsure which direction they would like to pursue, what their options may be or who could be a mentor to help them with their career aspirations, the Seton Hall University Career Center is a resource that can help with those uncertainties.
Reesa Greenwald, director of the Career Center, said she knows that her department can help any student succeed.
“Our goal is to help our students land wherever it is they want to be within a few months after they graduate and to help them get where they want to be in their first career position. The best way to do that is for us to be able to meet them early on,” Greenwald said.
That being said, she understands that some students may have alternative plans.
“Everybody who is graduating doesn’t want to be working. Every year we see people who want to take a year off. Sometimes it’s to travel, sometimes it’s to work and make money for a year before applying to medical or graduate school of any kind,” Greenwald added.
Bob Franco, a senior assistant director, agrees that every student is eligible to be reap the benefits of the Career Center to aid them in reaching their goals on any timeline.
“If you are career oriented, it is always better to have a plan. That being said, the timing of the plan can vary. Somebody’s plan might kick in tomorrow, a week from now, or in a month,” Franco said. “As long as you have a plan you have a direction and sense of action that can always be adjusted. If you can see it, you can be it.”
Greenwald added, “if you haven’t been to the Career Center it’s never too late, this is what we do! Sometimes we hear that when people put it off too long they’re intimidated. Even if you haven’t been here in four years, it’s okay. Every student here is different, every student has a different life history, work history, and major history. We want you to come talk to us, we want to help.”
To all senior students, whether it be a full-time job, a hiatus to travel the world or a few years in the workforce to save up for further schooling, be confident in your post-graduation plans as they are four years in the making.
Heather Harris can be reached at heather.harris@student.shu.edu.
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