3 Tips for the Soon-to-be-Grad

By Tracilyn Babington on August 24, 2013

 

Preparing for life after college can be a daunting task, especially for the soon-to-be-grad. The final few steps for the would-be grads–ordering a class ring, getting sized for that symbolic cap and gown, twirling the tassel through nervous fingers–will quickly be stocked as bittersweet memories.

But once that cap is tossed and you’re a degree-in-hand grad, it is important to have taken a few steps before you’d gotten to that point. Here are a few tips for the soon-to-be-grad that will help smooth the transition from school to the “real world,” and all can be accomplished without leaving your computer!

1. Get a private email account (gmail, yahoo, etc)

This tip may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many post-grads are still seen touting their student email accounts for job applications and interviews. Although it isn’t a big deal to carry your student email account for the first few years after graduation, it’s unwise to keep the same account linked to your school–especially if the school switches accounts, and you end up without access to your own email account! This actually happened in 2011 at Randolph-Macon College, in which all student accounts switched from @students.rmc.edu to @go.rmc.edu.

Another way to professionalize this simple step is to make sure your email name is, well, professional. Names such as qtpie92 and gummibear45 may be unique, but they hardly leave a favorable impression for hiring managers.

2. Get a credit card

You may find yourself hearing conflicting messages about getting a credit card at any point in time, let alone while in college. Keith C. Rawlinson, author of Why Is It So Wrong To Use Credit Cards?, argues that it’s unwise for people to use credit cards because it takes away control of your future and your choices. However, Katrina Guitierrez, author of The 4 Best Student Credit Cards – Which Student Credit Card To Get? says that it’s smart for students to obtain a credit card early so they have a decent credit score once they graduate. A good credit score is very important for recent grads, and are often checked by renters, bankers, and loan lenders—all key players in your post-grad plans.

For the soon-to-be grad, it’s a smart move to establish a good credit history as early as possible–and the easiest way to do that is to get a credit card and keep your spending under control. Many students, such as R-MC student Leigh Bartlett, have an emergency-only credit card that is shared with another parent. This is a smart move on two counts: one, it protects you in the event of an extreme emergency by providing you access to money needed at critical times; and two, it establishes you with a stable credit history.

You can apply for a credit card online. It’s also a smart move to obtain a credit card through your bank, and make sure you do your research before settling on the right card for you.

3. Keep an updated resumé and cover letter

“Update your resume often, and make sure you can provide cover letters and a list of references when you apply for jobs,” says R-MC ‘12 grad Mary Tschirhart, who also mentions that, “it’ll really make you stand out. A lot of people don’t bother with them, and in this day, first impressions are everything.”

Updated cover letters and resumes are vital signs of stability and maturity once you graduate. If you haven’t already secured a job before you graduate, it’s important to have these items on hand, proof-read, and ready-for-use at any time.

Most colleges are happy to help students create and manage their resumes and cover letters. Check your school’s Career Development Center for help creating cover letters, resumes, and other useful documents.

 

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