It’s that time of year – graduation! Very exciting! Congratulations to all our graduates. What an accomplishment. I recently read an article that stated over 65% of college grads are scared about getting a job after graduation. The same day someone forwarded me an article from the Chicago Times (written April 30, 2012) titled, “’If I knew then what I know now’: Advice for college graduates” and it got me thinking about our college grads. So, I reached out to some well-known administrators and staff here at UNM to see what advice they would give to our graduates looking back on their career paths:
Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, Vice President Student Affairs:
“What I would have done differently when I was graduating from college would be to find a mentor that could have coached me on beginning graduate school earlier and to consider higher education as a profession.”
Andrew Gonzalez, Director, CEOP:
I would have prepared earlier in my college career and not wait until my last semester of my senior year. I wish that I would have had a mentor or an advisor that helped me decide what I wanted to do when I graduated. I had no clue where to look for jobs or even if graduate school was an option. I also would have looked for summer jobs or internships during my earlier years to have helped me gain some valuable experience for when I graduated. My advice to college graduates is to start planning early.
Tim Schroeder, Director STEM Collaborative Center:
I definitely would have reached further afield in applying for my first job. Rather than applying for safe jobs close to home, I would have sought out jobs in emerging high-tech fields.
Caitlin Henke, Interim, Director, Women’s Resource Center:
I wish I had used my University’s career center to plan my job search and learn how to market myself. When I graduated I didn’t know much about the professional landscape and a little insight would’ve made the experience much less frightening.
Dr. Walt Miller, Associate Vice President, Student Life, Student Affairs:
My advice to college graduates is to recognize that there are more career paths than you might imagine. Don’t look at your career path as a straight line, instead, think of it as stepping stones. Very few people are with a certain job for the entirety of their career. Many people will move from one job to another or even one career field to another. Each job you take will lead you to your next opportunity, and will help you not only develop professionally, but personally as well. Where I am today is not where I thought I would be, but in a lot of ways, it’s even better.
Matt Yepez, Career Development Facilitator, Career Services:
My advice to myself would be to “proactively get involved early on with campus groups/activities not only from a social perspective but to build a resume / experiences (Situations, Actions, Results).”
Haley Roybal, Marketing and Outreach Specialist, Career Services (UNM Grad 2013)
5 Things I wish I knew then that I do now:
- Finding the right job fit:
The resources that UNM has for their students is amazing! Especially when it comes to finding jobs, internships and careers. I wish I would have known about the resources that Career Services provides to students when I was a freshman! It wasn’t brought to my attention until graduation day. Thankfully, they help UNM Alumni! The Office of Career Services can help with choosing that career path and also understanding yourself and talents before you start your career journey. Don’t waste your talents on the wrong job fit. Once you know your strengths, weaknesses, values, likes, dislikes and working style you will be able to pick an industry suited for you. Get to know yourself.
- Networking Opportunities:
Networking is one of the most important career skills you’ll ever learn. Use it! Stay in touch with your college friends and professors. Use the relationships you have built through networking build new connections and further careers. Expand your social circles, this will expose you to new people and new opportunities for you to grow and build new relationships. Sometimes you will find that it’s not always what you know but who you know that will help you get to the next step.
- Job Skills Training:
When I got my first job out of college I was prepared with the knowledge from my education. I was not prepared with the skills of small tasks they do not teach you as an undergrad. Skills like time management, interviewing, building and maintaining relationships, listening and retaining information, checking messages, setting up voicemails, follow ups, computer programming, and your response to a question is never no, there will always be a way (Unless, you physically cannot do it). Pay attention to detail and the little things, they are just as important as the big ones.
- Your education never ends:
Don’t worry, this is a good thing! Throughout your life you will always be learning new things and developing yourself to be the best version of you. You will be trained in new areas of a position you hold. Don’t be afraid to fail. The best part of failing is you will gain knowledge that you will now hold on to forever. Always keep learning and bettering yourself. The more you know about yourself and your abilities the better you will be with others.
- Stay Positive
I know this might sound hard when looking for a job or if you are in a tough situation. Just don’t forget the person you are and the values you hold upon yourself. Reach out to mentors or the relationships you have built with the people who know you best. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people will keep you motivated and on track of your goals.
Congratulations graduates! This is the beginning, of anything you want!
Autumn Collins, Career Development Facilitator 2, Career Services
If I knew then what I know now I would have…
Utilized the Career Services office at every institution from which I have graduated (which is a total of 3!)
I would have believed in myself more, but also practiced more patience.
I would have been less afraid to ask questions and to ask for help.
I would have thought through my future plans better (with the use of someone from career services).
I would have told myself and did tell myself—have no regrets!
And lastly – my advice:
Stay Connected: Finding a job can be daunting and often times frustrating! I wish I had kept in touch with my mentors and some of my faculty members in order to reach out to them at various times after I graduated – especially when I was looking for jobs and needed advice, assistance and references. How we apply to a job now is way different than when I graduated from UNM with my undergrad degree – but the one thing that is constant is connections and networking. Stay connected – whether that is a cup of coffee or a message through LinkedIn or Facebook. Keep in touch.
AND, with that said—–Come and visit us, your Career Service’s Office – as we are here solely for YOU.
Congratulations on your graduation! Lobos for Life!
Jenna Crabb, Ph.D., LPC, NCC
Director, UNM Career Services
For more helpful tips – see our website: www.career.unm.edu.
UNM Career Blog 