Advice from a Sage

The beauty of an institution is the institutional memory that years
of collaborative experience leaves behind even when its constituents
come and go. While each year, and each course, for the student is a
fresh and new experience, repetitive practice with the art of
education seasons both professors and academic counselors. And, this
is a good thing I say. For in the Fall many important dates must be
remembered in order for seniors to effectively navigate the waters
of post-undergraduate planning. First come the career fairs to
launch the employer's recruiting season. Then come the myriad of
"info sessions" hosted by all company recruiters with personnel
quotas to be filled. These sporadic events are followed soon after
by the job interviews. But, don't forget, in amongst all of this,
your trusty career counselors continue to hold specialized workshops
to help every pupil along each step of the process of job
placement. Is it any wonder that students start getting frantic
around the time of the first midterms with all this over-burdening
their already jam-packed and cluttered minds? Yet, this is only the
beginning. For not to be out-done by industry, academia puts in its
plug for fresh new talent each Fall as well.
University representatives, just like their industry counter-parts,
begin the info sessions for graduate studies as soon as the dust
settles from move-in week. Graduate school has a whole set of
considerations and requirements to be pondered as well. What field
do I want to pursue? Do I want to go for a certificate, masters, PhD
or professional certification in business, law or medicine? What
part of the country or world would I consider making home for the
duration of my graduate education? All of these questions toy with a
senior's mind as he sorts out the ultimate question: "What do I want
to do with my life?" Alas, if only difficult questions could be
deferred some more for another nice lark in the park of no responsibility.
Stepping in to help clear the abundant bewilderment, both campus
counselors and individualized department advisors make their annual
attempt at simplifying the decisions and steps of post-undergraduate
planning into a simple roadmap. First, line up the ducks with career
planning guides and academic check-lists. You do want to graduate on
time don't you? Second, study for and take the GRE. Third, attend
the info sessions and do your homework on the academic programs best
suited for your interests and ambitions. Then, it is never to early
to begin writing your personal statement and preparing application
materials. For if a senior thinks the first midterms come quick, the
second set of exams will arrive even quicker, and, right in their
footsteps are the first of the application deadlines. November,
December and January is when the pressure really picks up. Yet,
never fear. With all the help around and a clever initiative, there
will still be time for enjoying your last Autumn as an undergraduate
with your fellow friends and classmates.