Seven Things Most New Freshmen Should Know about Preparing for Life after College

Welcome to the U of I! Here are a few important things to know as you get started on this next chapter of your life. 

1. The world of work is carved up by skills, not academic majors. Your major may define who you are as a student, but not what you will do after you graduate. The skills you’re learning in your major give you more options than you probably realize.
    
2. The biggest obstacle to your future success is not knowing what you don’t know. Be curious, ask questions, look for opportunities to learn more about the work you want to do, the problems you want to solve, the impact you want to have on the world.
    
3. Talking to people is a great way to start figuring out what you don’t know. You have things to learn from everyone you encounter. You don’t have to grow a whole new personality or go to specific “networking” events to make meaningful connections for your future.
    
4. Do stuff. If you don’t like it, do different stuff. The experiences you have (in classes, projects, part-time and summer jobs, internships, activities, activism, volunteering) are what you will draw on to figure out your future and promote yourself to employers and grad schools. Not everything you do in college has to be fodder for your resume -- but you will be surprised at the things that turn out to be relevant.
    
5. The answer to the question “Should I apply?” is usually yes. There is nothing to be gained by ruling yourself out for something that sounds interesting--and lots to be lost.
    
6. Think seriously about what you want for yourself. No one but you is going to live your life. Your values and priorities matter in knowing what you what to do with it.
    
7. You can benefit from working with career services long before you feel ready to have “a career.” Career coaches at LAS Career Services are equipped to help with all parts of connecting your college experience to your future – whether that’s helping you find experiences that will build your skills, plan around setbacks, apply for internships, decide on a change of major, or just get started thinking about what you want for your life after graduation.

For more ideas on navigating your future career path, visit our LAS Career Services Blog.