With commencement rapidly approaching, many students are anticipating—with both excitement and fear—all the changes that come with getting a full-time job and moving away from family and friends.
The Center for Career Development recently held events aimed at preparing graduating seniors for the real world. “Senior Success Strategies: 30 days til Graduation” was a day-long event where seniors could pick up tips about job searching, interviewing, and graduate school.
Recognizing that students also need to understand what to do after landing a job, the center included a workshop called “Transition to the Workplace.” Panelists Ashtyn Gore, management trainee at Enterprise Holdings; Rachel Robinson, recruiter at Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance; and Brian Mercer and Jameson Smith, production control specialists at DENSO, focused on what new employees need to know about the first three months of employment.
These employers described their own experiences entering the workplace and gave students advice about how their lifestyles are likely to change once they have full-time jobs. They suggested students find mentors, ask for constructive feedback, and make sure they adhere to the workplace dress code.
The professionals also talked to students about juggling work and personal life, providing tips about scheduling time for errands, attending after-hours networking events, adjusting to life in a new place, and being separated from family and friends.