Senior Commencement activities have already begun to take place, and before you know it May 11th will be right at your doorstep! If you are a Brandeis Senior, this article is imperative to read! There is a wealth of information and advice about whether or not to attend grad school, scoring your first job out of undergrad, and how to handle your first new-hire experience with grace and tact. This Savvy Student post is separated into three parts to help guide seniors to make educated decisions about the next big step from college life into the "real world."
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
There is one fundamental question that all undergrads must ask themselves. Should I stay in school or should I take the leap into the adult world?
Savvy Student cannot answer this question for you directly, but we can advise you to weigh the options. Which option will make more fiscal sense? For example, will you be able to manage your debt in grad school? How much loan money did you accumulate in undergrad? Will entering the workplace pay off with the degree and qualifications you currently have upon entering? Or, should you go to grad school to get a higher degree to make more money in your career later?
Secondly, you need to ask yourself whether school is where you want to be. After 4 years of undergrad, many students are tired of books and tests and are ready to finally get to work. You should never choose grad school because you think you need to stay in school. Graduate school is the perfect option for those individuals that want to continue with higher learning, expand on their current studies, or get a Ph.D in their field of study for the explicit reason of furthering their academics. If you are sick of school by the time you've reached senior year, perhaps getting into the workforce might be the better option. However, only you can decide, once you've weighed the options.
And remember, you can always go back to graduate school or leave grad school for the workplace. Or if you're super savvy with your time management skills, you can do both! Many grad students work part-time or work full-time while taking night classes. No matter which option sounds more appealing, be sure to make the choice that best suits your personal life and financial capabilities right now!
Getting the Job
If you have decided to take that big leap, you are going to have to work hard. The task of scoring your dream job may seem daunting, but don't fret! Savvy Student has compiled a series of great tidbits and advice to help get the ball rolling in the right direction for you. ALWAYS go to Hiatt Career Center, located in Usdan Student Center, to get the latest on jobs and internships available through Brandeis connections. This resource is probably the easiest way to start applying, as well as getting your resume checked and approved by qualified advisors. Finally, check out the links below to learn how to strengthen your resume, put your name in the right applicant pools, and make yourself a standout for your dream job.
Resume Tips
Types of Job Applications and How to Apply for Jobs
Furthermore, you're going to want to investigate as to whether the job you've applied for is right for you. Ask yourself what you want your work time-frame to look like, what wage you'd need to support your lifestyle, and what types of career options a position may give you. Also, consider the location of the job, benefits package, and the costs associated with the schlep to the office. If these aspects of the prospective job outweigh the pros, you might want to rethink accepting the position, especially if you have other offers with a more balanced list of pros and cons. Here are 5 additional aspects to consider when looking over a prospective job: 5 Factors to Consider Before Accepting a Job.
Work Like a Boss
While becoming a boss might not be in your immediate future once you've gotten the job, you can still become an expert at whatever you've been tasked to do. As Tasha Mistry writes, "A lot of your college coursework won’t help you when you start your career. Your knowledge and skill-set will be acquired from projects, assignments and interactions with your colleagues, managers and customers." Keep in mind that you might not start off with a job that is exactly what you were hoping to do with your life. But also realize that each job can expand your skill set if you work hard to become the top dog in your position at work. Here, Tasha lists "5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Job."
Secondly, if you are going to work in the corporate environment, the transition from college to corporate may be quite jarring. Student has done some research for you and found a great resource that lists 10 tips to boost your abilities in the corporate world: 10 Corporate Skills That Will Help You Develop Your New Career.
Finally, we urge every senior to step back from the computer screen, take a deep breath, and relax for a minute. All of this information can be stressful, bringing up questions of "Am I on the right track?," "How do I know I'm making the right choice?," and "Can I even handle a full-time job?" Brandeis has prepared you for the work force much better than you think. You've acquired collaboration, time management, and multi-tasking skills, as well as gained a wealth of information about your profession. You CAN do it! Just follow these guidelines and you will find yourself making better decisions for yourself and for your future. You're about to be a Brandeis alum: get out there and begin making a difference! And, as always, stay savvy.
~ Savvy Student
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
There is one fundamental question that all undergrads must ask themselves. Should I stay in school or should I take the leap into the adult world?
Savvy Student cannot answer this question for you directly, but we can advise you to weigh the options. Which option will make more fiscal sense? For example, will you be able to manage your debt in grad school? How much loan money did you accumulate in undergrad? Will entering the workplace pay off with the degree and qualifications you currently have upon entering? Or, should you go to grad school to get a higher degree to make more money in your career later?
Secondly, you need to ask yourself whether school is where you want to be. After 4 years of undergrad, many students are tired of books and tests and are ready to finally get to work. You should never choose grad school because you think you need to stay in school. Graduate school is the perfect option for those individuals that want to continue with higher learning, expand on their current studies, or get a Ph.D in their field of study for the explicit reason of furthering their academics. If you are sick of school by the time you've reached senior year, perhaps getting into the workforce might be the better option. However, only you can decide, once you've weighed the options.
And remember, you can always go back to graduate school or leave grad school for the workplace. Or if you're super savvy with your time management skills, you can do both! Many grad students work part-time or work full-time while taking night classes. No matter which option sounds more appealing, be sure to make the choice that best suits your personal life and financial capabilities right now!
Getting the Job
If you have decided to take that big leap, you are going to have to work hard. The task of scoring your dream job may seem daunting, but don't fret! Savvy Student has compiled a series of great tidbits and advice to help get the ball rolling in the right direction for you. ALWAYS go to Hiatt Career Center, located in Usdan Student Center, to get the latest on jobs and internships available through Brandeis connections. This resource is probably the easiest way to start applying, as well as getting your resume checked and approved by qualified advisors. Finally, check out the links below to learn how to strengthen your resume, put your name in the right applicant pools, and make yourself a standout for your dream job.
Resume Tips
Types of Job Applications and How to Apply for Jobs
Furthermore, you're going to want to investigate as to whether the job you've applied for is right for you. Ask yourself what you want your work time-frame to look like, what wage you'd need to support your lifestyle, and what types of career options a position may give you. Also, consider the location of the job, benefits package, and the costs associated with the schlep to the office. If these aspects of the prospective job outweigh the pros, you might want to rethink accepting the position, especially if you have other offers with a more balanced list of pros and cons. Here are 5 additional aspects to consider when looking over a prospective job: 5 Factors to Consider Before Accepting a Job.
Work Like a Boss
While becoming a boss might not be in your immediate future once you've gotten the job, you can still become an expert at whatever you've been tasked to do. As Tasha Mistry writes, "A lot of your college coursework won’t help you when you start your career. Your knowledge and skill-set will be acquired from projects, assignments and interactions with your colleagues, managers and customers." Keep in mind that you might not start off with a job that is exactly what you were hoping to do with your life. But also realize that each job can expand your skill set if you work hard to become the top dog in your position at work. Here, Tasha lists "5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Job."
Secondly, if you are going to work in the corporate environment, the transition from college to corporate may be quite jarring. Student has done some research for you and found a great resource that lists 10 tips to boost your abilities in the corporate world: 10 Corporate Skills That Will Help You Develop Your New Career.
Finally, we urge every senior to step back from the computer screen, take a deep breath, and relax for a minute. All of this information can be stressful, bringing up questions of "Am I on the right track?," "How do I know I'm making the right choice?," and "Can I even handle a full-time job?" Brandeis has prepared you for the work force much better than you think. You've acquired collaboration, time management, and multi-tasking skills, as well as gained a wealth of information about your profession. You CAN do it! Just follow these guidelines and you will find yourself making better decisions for yourself and for your future. You're about to be a Brandeis alum: get out there and begin making a difference! And, as always, stay savvy.
~ Savvy Student
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