Pam Ahearn
Manager Employer Partnerships, Center for Career Development
You are a senior. Commencement is approaching. You have a job lined up…or maybe you don’t. Or maybe you are headed to graduate school or to volunteer for a year. All of these scenarios are typical for graduating seniors. As a matter of fact, of the Holy Cross students planning to work after graduation, only about half typically have a job at Commencement. Many secure full-time roles within six months of graduation. Try not to stress too much and instead revel in these final weeks of school. Of course, continue to prepare for assignments, study for exams and participate in class discussions, but also spend time with friends. Hike one of the Blackstone Valley trails. Check out the EcoTarium. Visit the Crompton Collective. Take it all in. Enjoy your final days on campus and in the Worcester community.
Another piece of advice: if you are planning to work immediately after graduation, don’t wait for or even expect the PERFECT full-time job. If it happens, lucky you, but the reality is you just need experience. Period. You need to work for a year or two. You need to understand what it means to work collaboratively with your colleagues, to write an email to the sales team or the CFO and to understand the undercurrents of office politics. Focus on which aspects of your job bring you joy and which aspects don’t. Watch what others are doing and ask questions about their day-to-day responsibilities and their particular career trajectory. The act of “being present” at your job will open your eyes to potential future roles and help you make some decisions moving forward.
Having said this, it’s also important to evaluate prospective employers before accepting an offer. Think of the interview process as a two-way street. You should be evaluating the employer as much as they are evaluating you. Do your research and explore the organization’s mission statement, their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, their training and development opportunities, how they are reviewed by employees on LinkedIn and Glassdoor, and their stance on work-life balance. You spend a lot of time at work, so you want to determine, as best you can, what the company culture is really like to understand how your work ethic and values align with the organization. Alumni frequently refer to the importance of a growth mindset both as an employee and as something to look for when evaluating an employer. As Gen Z’ers, you value work-life balance, continuous learning, and mental well-being as well as holistic fulfillment. Be sure to investigate how a prospective employer might embrace these values by asking some pointed questions. Please check out the Center for Career Development’s many resources on “Assessing the Opportunity” in Handshake.
As the semester winds down and Saturday, May 25 appears on the calendar, you will have entered the world of “adulting.” Although you may not feel like an adult, you will soon be immersed into the “real world” and face some of the realities of navigating that world. Renting an apartment, moving to another city, identifying a new primary care doctor, finding a new hairdresser, understanding your benefits package, filing taxes, grocery shopping and cooking dinner are all in your future. Ultimately, adulting means being independent from your parents/guardians and being responsible for yourself and your finances. It will be important for you to track your income and your expenses by creating a budget using a spreadsheet, calculator, or financial app on your phone. It’s helpful to categorize your expenses into fixed and discretionary income. Fixed expenses are those that need to be paid, such as rent, student loans, food, gas/commuting and insurance. Discretionary expenses are those that are extra, like dining out and takeout, entertainment, another pair of sneakers, and travel. If you are struggling to make ends meet, it makes the most sense to cut back on those discretionary expenses.
Once you’ve accepted a job, it’s important to think about saving for retirement. I know. I know. This sounds crazy. You are literally just launching your professional career and I am suggesting you need to start thinking about the end of your career? Be sure to read about and understand your company’s 401K plan so you can take advantage of that benefit. There is a lot of information available about how much to set aside for retirement and/or savings each month. You will need to do your research and be sure to fact check so you know your sources are reputable.
Remember, you don’t need to navigate this next phase alone. When you are ready to move on from your year of service, graduate school, or your first job out of college, there are resources here to help you navigate that transition. The Center for Career Development supports alumni up to two years post graduation with career advice and guidance, and the Alumni Career & Professional Development office supports alumni two years out and beyond. Enjoy this next phase of your life. With some thoughtful, informed decisions and planning, you’ll feel like a real adult in no time!
Copyedited by Caroline Kramer
The Spire 