With only about 4 weeks left in the academic year, seniors are presented with the pressure of what to do after graduation. Some may already have stable connections and paths they are sure to follow; others may still be avoiding the impending doom that is May 2nd. Regardless of where you are right now on your path, you should be aware of all the options available and the benefits they have.
Further education: going to graduate school after getting your bachelor’s degree is a sensible choice. If you did your research and found that higher education will help you achieve what you want in life, then going forward with applying to grad school can be beneficial. It requires more resources and time, but it would give you a better chance of getting into that specific field you hope for.
Another option is jumping straight into work. A lot of companies look to hire interns, and as a Roanoke College alumni, you still have many resources you can count on. You can find more information on the Roanoke College website about the alumni network. Having these connections to other maroons that graduated and found a place in the world can help you land your first job. Using LinkedIn to find Roanoke College alumni is a great way to get in contact with new opportunities.
Some of us might still be undecided about what to do after graduation. That is completely normal. It’s hard to know where to start when you are building a life for yourself. I want to assure you that you do not have to jump straight into something that might not be a good fit for you. Taking a gap year while you figure things out isn’t bad. You can use that time as a way to prepare to take action. Save some money with a part-time job, take a class or course in something that interests you, research your options, and practice your hobbies. A gap year isn’t a waste of time when you use it to give yourself a better chance of succeeding.
Whether you decide to pursue further education, become an intern at a company, take a gap year to prepare, or even travel the world, your decision should be what works for you in your situation. Congratulations to all the seniors graduating and good luck to all the underclassmen still working towards it. This has been a great four years. Have a great graduation, Maroons! I will miss you.
Andrea Flores
Staff Reporter
