I am Graduating Now What?

Three representatives from Comerica Bank visited the campus of Texas Southern University in a panel to give upcoming graduates a few tips and guidelines on how to transition into the adult life and how to handle all that comes along after graduation.

For lots of graduates it is time to step into another realm of life. Time to begin updating resumes, applying for a career and most dreadful paying back the student loans.

Now grads don't have to feel as if they are alone in this process. Comerica Bank knows how difficult this can be.

“Attending the seminar was very informative for me,” Shenai Limbrick said, “I know a lot of people who graduate and have their degrees but don’t know how to market them, this was very insightful.”

The seminar titled "I am graduating now what" was held in the student life center and touched on topics like how to efficiently update your resume, and financial guidelines for repaying student loans.

“I see a lot of recent graduates whose main focus is to get a job making a substantial amount of money, but don’t have a strategic plan to efficiently execute,” Brenda Johnson said, “So we at Comerica put together a plan to help graduates out.

There are five key points to getting to that dream job and having the life you have planned for after graduation.

1) Know what it is you really want. Although it is nice if you will tell an employer that you are willing to learn or do anything, most employers will interpret this as being desperate. Therefore, after your graduation, make sure you identify what you really want and focus on this.

(2) Your Experience. After graduation, experience such as one you have through internship, volunteering, co-ops or part time jobs is very important – this will prove that you have an experience in the field you have chosen.

(3) Be familiar with your special field. After graduation, you really need to study and know everything there is to know in that chosen field of yours as potential employers might ask you about it also study the company through visiting their websites, reading industry journals, attending their seminars and conferences, etc.

(4) Prepare a strong but factual resume. Market yourself by making an effective resume after graduation - style it according to the particular job or position you are pursuing; make certain that it looks just as good as when it is being read. There are plenty of websites that offer help, so check them out.

(5) Make certain you are able to support the claims made in your resume. Note that employers during interviews have already encountered all types of candidates including those who have lied or exaggerated their accomplishments and experiences. That is why employers are sometimes doubtful and that is why you need to support your claims effectively with detailed examples.

There are several other tips that are helpful to each individual situation. And if you have questions visit your local school advisor or someone close and remember each day is only one step away.

“I wish they would have seminars like this every year,” Danelle Jordan said, “It is good to see people who graduated from this university return back and give advice to start our careers.”