Graduation. It looms it’s big scary head on the near horizon for many of us on the homestretch at NIU. The big question on many of our minds is this: now what?

I’m certain many of us have heard unfortunate stories about leaving college with a mountain of debt and a “worthless degree.” Don’t think there is no hope; it will take hard work, but opportunities are there. With that in mind, here’s a list of potential answers to the “now what” question.

Higher education

Going for your master’s degree is a challenging step. For some of us, it may not be something we want to pursue. However it is still valuable tool to have in your belt.

Also, don’t let your major feel like you have limitations on what graduate studies to pursue. Law school and the MBA programs at NIU and many other institutions are not discriminatory based on major. With a good GPA and a good score on the appropriate entrance exam, higher education programs have little interest in what your undergraduate work was in.

Use Connections

Take advantage of job fairs, fraternities or sororities, the career services center and any other connections you have made. More importantly, don’t hesitate to ask your friends.

One of my good friends, who now is employed in his field, graciously gave me contact information for several recruiters with whom he has worked and connected him with his current position. I have already been contacted by three of them offering job search assistance within a week. Remember, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Find a Good Fit

Odds are whatever job you get first is not going to be your dream job. There’s an exception as long as it’s something you can do well and don’t hate.

Take the job, gain the experience for at least a year, then search for something your heart is really in with a significantly improved resume. Perseverance is the key here. If you put in the effort chances are that you will do well.

Stay positive, be proactive and realize that you will be applying to, at the very least, 10 to 20 positions or more, before you finding a job that fits you well.

Don’t let it get you down; you must not get discouraged. The work is out there as long as you maintain an open mind and put in the effort. You will come out on top.