Do you have a VT Bucket List? Try these before you graduate or leave for the summer!

There is so much to experience and enjoy while you are here at Virginia Tech, fitting everything in can be difficult. Having said that, Wetfeet.com, a huge career planning/job search site and editor of career-related books, published this Graduation Bucket List, which has some great tips to help you prepare for the big day you’ve been waiting for…entering the REAL WORLD or going on to graduate school. There is so much great advice in their list, like #10, learn how to tie a tie! 

The last time I taught our career class, I shared my Bucket List for VT, the Burgs and Beyond:

1. Eat at Mike’s Grill.

2. Go tubing on the New River.

3. Hike the Cascades.

4. Have a picnic at the Duck Pond.

5. Tour Smithfield Plantation.

6. Go to a wine tasting at Chateau Morrisette.

7. Spend an afternoon at Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

8. Drive up to Mountain Lake.

9. Have a meal at The Homeplace.

10. Go to at least one sports event a semester.

11. Attend at least one play, concert or other event that you would not normally go to.

12. Participate in at least one community service project while you are at Tech.

13. Study and/or travel abroad if you have the chance.

14. Get to know an international student.

On the last day of my class, I also usually hand out words of wisdom. Previously I had used Max Ehrman's The Desiderata of Happiness which I first read when I was a senior in high school, years ago.Other times I used Bill Gates’ Rules, but I decided I’ve been around about as long as Mr. Gates now, and have my own advice to share, so here are my words of advice:

Get out of your comfort zone—that’s where you really learn.

Don’t be shy. You miss out on lots of opportunities if you are.

Ask. The worst answer you will get is NO!

Speak up. Your idea might be one no one else has thought of.

Look for the good in everyone you meet. Sometimes it’s harder to find, but it’s there.

Say thank you! So few people do. You often will make someone’s day if you take the time to say or write a word of thanks to someone. And, thank whoever helped get you to here.

Don’t make someone look bad or say they are wrong in front of others—it makes you look bad as well as her/him.

When doors are closed, there usually really is a window still open. Sometimes you just have to find it. Times of adversity are where you grow and find out who you really are.

Stay in touch with your friends and family. The best gift you can give someone is time that you spend with him/her.

Give back. It will make you feel better AND help the world.

Always dance. Don’t take yourself so seriously.

"Happy Trails to you until we meet again," and come see us in Career Services if you need our help along your trail.