Career Chasse

Jumping into Graduation

In all of your time at Virginia Tech, you have been entering Lane Stadium to jump to Enter Sandman. It is what you have always known. This year however, in the back of your mind you are reminded how much closer and closer each jump is bringing you to graduation. Soon enough you will be entering Lane as a student and leaving jumping as a graduate.

It can feel as if you are driving down a long road and all you can see is this giant, flashing, obnoxious sign flashing “GRADUATION” right at you; almost as if it were reminding you that you still haven’t figured out what you are doing next year. Take a deep breath. Remember that you are not alone in this situation and there many students in the same situation as yourself right now, including me.

Remember that graduation is not a deadline for finding a job, internship, graduate school, or really anything you want to do. We want to remind you that career development is a life-long journey without deadlines and there are a variety of paths for you to take.

Our office has a variety of resources for you to use, so be sure to utilize them!

The Post-Graduate Report is a self-report by Virginia Tech graduates. Students answer questions like the ones below:

• Who are graduates working for?
• How did they find their job? 
•  If they are attending grad school, where are they going?
• What programs or degrees are they in?
• What advice do they have for students in their majors?
•  What do grads wish they’d done differently?

This resource can be very beneficial for students in seeing what their peers are doing and how they got to where they are today. Be sure to check it out and see what fields students in your major are going into.

Our office also provides advising for students who are considering graduate or professional school. Ask yourself:

• Does what I want to do in the future require graduate school?
• What is the best path for my career goals?
• Do I have interest in research?
•  Do I need more experience in my field before attending graduate school?

Maybe you have not thought about it before, but are considering the possibilities now. Feel free to make an appointment with an advisor to talk more about the graduate school process.

Additionally, look at things beyond your major by talking to faculty in your department or connecting with Alumni on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the largest professional network with over 200 million members. In fact, 70% of jobs are found via networking, so be sure to check out LinkedIn.

If you feel that you still have a lot of questions and need more direction, feel free to stop by our office or make an appointment with a full-time advisor. We want to provide you with the most support and resources in order to get you jumping in the right direction for your post-graduate goals. 

Here are a few 100 Days ‘til Graduation Events coming up:

Graduating? Tips to Start Jumping on Your Job Search
Wednesday, February 8th, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Assembly Hall, Holzman Alumni Center
Claire Childress - childrec@vt.edu
Sponsored by Career and Professional Development

Connection Career Fair
Tuesday, February 21, 10 AM - 4 PM
Squires Ballroom
Claire Childress - childrec@vt.edu

"The Final Piece: Evaluating and Negotiating Offers"
Wednesday, March 22, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Assembly Hall, Holtzman Alumni Center
Claire Childress, childrec@vt.edu
Sponsored by Career and Professional Development

The Gap Year Experience
Monday, April 3, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Assembly Hall, Holtzman Alumni Center
Claire Childress, childrec@vt.edu
Sponsored by Career and Professional Development

Adulting 101
Thursday, April 20th, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Assembly Hall, Holtzman Alumni Center
Claire Childress - childrec@vt.edu
Sponsored by Career and Professional Development