My experience as a December graduate

 KATHERINE BONCHER

This December, I will be graduating from the University of Illinois. I am able to graduate early because of the AP classes I took in high school. A majority of students do graduate in the spring, so my experience being a December graduate is a little different from the typical LAS student experience. My last semester here has been filled with job applications, Skype interviews, and resume critiques.

Earlier this semester, I attended the business career fair. I was a little intimidated at first because I am in the College of LAS, not business. The first day I went, I was a little unsure of what to do and who to talk to. After my first day, I did some research, and was much better prepared for the second day. I realized that there is no reason to be intimidated even though I am not in the business school. There are still plenty of opportunities for LAS students at the career fair, and it is a great opportunity to find companies you normally would not have heard of.

Another great resource that I have used to prepare for careers is the University of Illinois Career Center. The Career Center provides resources such as resume critiques, help with cover letters, and mock interviews. Also, their website, I-Link, provides a large listing of internship and job opportunities, many of which are perfect for LAS students.

An advantage of being a winter graduate is that there are not only more full-time positions available, but spring internships, too. I have been looking into both of these options for myself. I was a little worried at first that there would not be that many opportunities since most students graduate in the spring, but I have been pleased to find so many companies looking for winter graduates such as myself. After hearing from great companies who are interested in December graduates, I have learned that December graduates are very well-positioned for entering the “real-world,” and there are many exciting opportunities to look forward to!

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers more than 70 majors and provides a world-class interdisciplinary education that prepares students for lives of impact. Learn more about LAS.

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KATHERINE BONCHER

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