As graduation is approaching there are many firsts for students at Quincy University, whether they are applying for graduate school or entry level roles.

For some students it is their very first time walking across the stage. 

“I’m excited for graduation. COVID ruined my last graduation in high school, so I wasn’t able to walk. I’m very excited to graduate with my friends and to have my family there to see me succeed,” Kyle Bovee said. 

Students should have at least three people review their resumes to catch any small mistakes. Some students rely on the Quest Center for help.

“I’m going to be a teacher and I’m applying for a bunch of jobs and a bunch of different school districts. I’ve done a few online interviews and I’ve made a LinkedIn account to help me with that process,”  Eileen McGinnis said.

Career counselors in the Quest Center look over the resumes to ensure everything is up to date. It’s not just about fixing typos; it’s about making sure everything looks professional.

Students are also preparing for post graduate life by practicing for interviews. The Quest Center offers help with everything from phone interviews to mock interviews. The Quest Center’s goal is for students to feel confident and prepared when seeing potential employers.

Students need to be ready to talk about themselves confidently. They should have a clear pitch about who they are, their goals, and where they see themselves going. It’s all about showing potential employers that they’re focused and determined. 

Students should invest in interview attire if they don’t have it already. The Quest Center lets students borrow suits and other professional clothes. The goal is to present the best version of yourself.

References are crucial too. Students need to ask people if they’re okay with being listed as references before putting their names down. It’s not polite to surprise someone by using them without asking first.

“I would start applying early about a year before you graduate from your undergrad. I would start looking into other colleges and figuring out where are you going to go,” Lauren Gille said.

For those thinking about grad school, now’s the time to work on getting those letters of recommendation. It’s also a good idea to reach out and network with people in your field.

 If you know someone who works in the industry you’re interested in, it doesn’t hurt to ask if they’d review your resume. Sometimes, they might even know of job openings and can pass your resume along.