As an upcoming college senior, I am definitely feeling the pressure to, well, get my life together. I’m not exaggerating when I say that everyone who hears that I am entering into my senior year asks what I plan to do following graduation. To that, I frantically answer, “I have no idea!”
Every single person who witnesses the panic in my eyes upon hearing this question is very understanding following my response. Many even smile and say, “It’s okay, I didn’t know what I wanted to do either.” And that is truly comforting for me to hear.
The truth is that we are never going to “get our lives together.” I know that full well, yet I still find myself thinking that if I just figure out what I’m going to do next, where I’m going to live, or when I’ll be financially stable enough to knock a few things off my bucket list, then I’ll have it all figured out. Wrong.
But instead of letting my fear of the unknown turn me into a stressed out mess, I am taking steps today to feel prepared for entering the “real world” in only a year!
Even if you are not a senior in college, I believe these steps are important to take in order to feel prepared for any big life transition, and I hope that you will find some or all of them helpful as you prepare for your own journey!
Get a Blazer
Girl, I know. You may not be entering into a career that requires you to wear a blazer on a regular basis. But a good, versatile blazer is such an essential to look and feel your best professional and put-together self in order to knock that interview out of the park! Plus, there may be several other special events in your future that a blazer would be perfect for.
A fashionable blazer does not have to be expensive! There are plenty of great options available at some of your favorite stores already. I actually found this super cute black front drape blazer at Wal-Mart on clearance for only $9! It is comfortable, breathable (super important when you’re feeling nervous about the interview you’re about to walk into), and SO cute. It can be worn in several ways, and it is probably my favorite professional item in my closet right now!
Here are a few affordable options from places you probably already shop at. Don’t forget to check the sale and clearance sections both in-store and online for great deals on higher-priced blazers as well! An awesome place to look is at outlet stores if you have any nearby.
2. 3/4 Sleeve Open Front Blazer: $23.99
3. Ponte Knit Blazer:
Get on LinkedIn
“Another social media platform?!” Yep. I will be the first to admit that LinkedIn usually takes a backseat to any other forms of social media that I am on, but it is also unlike any other form. It is not like Facebook where you go to fill in your family members on what is happening in your life. It is not Instagram where you go to post your bomb selfies and pictures of your cute dog. And it is not like Twitter where you live tweet about #TheBachelorette.
LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for building and maintaining professional connections. Since coming to college, it has been emphasized just how useful this platform can be for building meaningful connections—especially for young people just entering the workforce.
During my internship last summer, so many people encouraged us interns to find them on LinkedIn and connect! Trust me, it is well worth it to get on LinkedIn. Download the app, get on every day or just every couple of days (like I do) to see what’s happening, and build meaningful connections by engaging in the comments sections on articles and posts that interest you.
Also, feel free to add me as a connection if you’d like! And if you know LinkedIn well, give me some pointers for how to strengthen my profile! (I am by no means a LinkedIn pro yet!)
Get a Professional Headshot
Going along with LinkedIn, it is so helpful to get a professional headshot taken. And really, with the number of people you probably know who are talented with a camera, it wouldn’t be hard to find someone who would be more than happy to help you out with this.
A headshot will be useful for your LinkedIn profile and maybe even your resume or business cards if you choose to include it. A selfie just won’t cut it for your LinkedIn profile picture!
Make sure to choose clothing that day that is not distracting and wear makeup that looks like something you would normally wear. If you do not typically wear bright red lipstick or sport bold eyeshadow, the day you take your headshots should probably not be the day you decide to wear those. 😉
Keep it natural and smile big!
Get Business Cards
This maybe seems unnecessary to some, but the number of times someone has asked me for contact information and I have been unprepared is unbelievable. If this seems like a step that would be helpful for you, I would recommend using Canva.com to create your own business cards! (When you save your business card document from Canva, open it in Publisher or even Microsoft Word to fit multiple copies onto one sheet and print from there.) You can even design business cards, resume, letterhead, and a LinkedIn profile banner with one consistent theme through Canva!
This is also helpful for me for remembering names. I may meet someone and five minutes later think to myself, “Wait, what was his name?” Business cards are a great way to solidify an impression. While they may end up in the trash eventually, they serve their purpose in the moment or a few days later when someone stumbles across yours in their wallet, purse, or car cupholder, and they decide to add your contact information to their phone and connect with you on LinkedIn (but you should already have connected with them on LinkedIn!).
If you have access to a nice printer, print your cards yourself on thick card stock paper and keep them in your wallet or maybe a pouch on the back of your phone—something that you always carry on you.
Overcome Your Fear of Introducing Yourself
Speaking to strangers is one thing, but walking up to introduce yourself to someone is a little different. In a setting where you are surrounded by new people, especially who are in your field of interest, do not be afraid to walk up, smile big, offer a handshake, and talk to someone that you would like to get to know: “Hi, my name is ____! I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello!”
I have done this several times with people I may recognize from being in similar circles with or may even be connected with on social media but never met in person (yikes, weird how that happens, huh?). While it may feel a little strange at first to just start talking to someone, it always ends so well. That connection may not have ever happened if I didn’t shake out my jitters and just say hello.
I promise that so many people will not find this weird at all—in fact, it can be a great start to an insightful conversation with someone you may end up building a great relationship with. However, don’t just stop at hello! Ask them about what they do, how they got into their field, what some of their personal interests might be, or even for any advice they may have for someone starting out in your field.
I truly believe there is something to learn from every person you come in contact with, and what a privilege it is to know someone else’s story and their passions!
If you never introduce yourself, you may be missing out on an opportunity to know someone else’s heart and allow them to know yours.
That’s all I have for today! I hope these steps will be of some use to you as we transition to the “real world” together! I am by no means an expert on anything, but I just wanted to share what I have learned over the past three years of my college career and am continuing to implement in my own life!
Until next time,
Annie Lark
(Also, big shoutout to my sweet friend and photographer, Amie! You’re the best! <3)
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9
ANNIE BOYD SOWELL 