Tash Mahnokaren

Staff Writer

Graduation can be a time of mixed emotions for many students. While students often feel excited as graduation approaches, the thoughts of life after college can often cause anxiety.

Luckily, Idaho State University offers a variety of resources to help students better prepare for life after graduation.

In addition, Nancy Goodman of Central Academic Advising at ISU, has some tips for upcoming graduates.

Completed Academic Checklists

The first step that students should ideally take prior to graduation is to ensure that all their required classes and goals have been fulfilled. This can be done through consulting Degree Works on Moodle and by meeting with department advisors.

Students at all levels should consult with their department advisers.

Often times, students tend to forget about that one goal or class that they put off during freshman year.

This practice ensures that students are on the right track to graduating on time.

Commencement to Graduate

This brings us to the next step of applying to graduate. For students looking to graduate, applications must be submitted no later than Friday of midterm week of the semester in which you plan to graduate. Goodman said that for students seeking admittance into graduate school, taking the Millers Analogy Test or the Graduate Record Examinations would be a plausible step.

“Students should be flexible, confident and open,” said Goodman.

Opportunities after Graduation

This can be a difficult transition for students wanting to enter the work field.

As society progresses, landing a favorable position in the job field is becoming more competitive. Prospective employees need to possess the appropriate interviewing skills and social abilities to remain viable.

Individuals also need to be familiar with the process of wage negotiations and tackling other concerns that come with career planning.

According to Goodman, The Wage Project is a website tailored to women and the general population as a whole that offers information on salary negotiations, barriers in equal wages for genders and how to approach employers about acquiring a better salary.

Resume Building

The academic institution is a promising place for students to build up their resumes while getting a quality education.

Early into college, students should look into getting involved with programs that will help them advance their experience in their field of major.

This undoubtedly looks better on paper to an employer looking to hire as opposed to the competing party with no experience in the offered position.

ISU also offers internships and other avenues for personal advancements through leadership positions, jobs and involvement.

Fair and Events

ISU also organizes a number of events for students to guide them through picking a major and even finding a job after graduation.

A number of these programs are also tailored to appeal to students of a particular department to better meet their needs.

The Graduate Programs and Health Professions Fair on Friday, October 10 and the Majors and Minors Fair on Wednesday, October 15 are also open to students to attend.

For students looking to obtain a graduate degree or deciding on a major to pursue, these events will showcase the various graduate programs offered at ISU and provide beneficial information about them. On October 20, the College of Arts and Letters will also be putting on a panel discussion called “Leveraging Your Liberal Arts Major in the Marketplace,” which would be beneficial for students in this department.

College Resources

ISU also offers various places that students can go to better equip themselves for life after graduation. Students can set up mock interviews at the career center. “It is a comprehensive career center so they work with students all the way from career decision making in terms of what they should do with their major all the way through to cover letters, resumes and mock interviews,” said Goodman. 

Preparing a Budget

Considering the financial aspect of a career allows students to decide if their major and prospective jobs are suitable for the lifestyle they want to have in the future.

According to Goodman, creating a budget can help students to decide on the type of job they want to have and the kind of living environment they desire.

No matter what year you’re in, these are some important steps to take in easing the transition into life after graduation and gaining a wholesome educational experience at ISU.