Congratulations Seniors! You are approaching your final weeks of undergrad. You should be so proud of yourself! Graduating college is a huge achievement. I hope that Purdue has brought you four years of personal growth, new connections, lasting memories, and great opportunities. Before you leave campus and enter a new stage of life, be sure to check off the following things:
1. Take the Next Step Survey!
Each year the CCO conducts a post-graduation survey of all the graduates. This data is critical to the University’s annual report and assists in current and prospective students with employment outcomes, salary negotiation, and more according to their major. It only takes 3 minutes to complete! Take the survey here.
2. Perfect your resume
It is important to tailor your resume and cover letter to the companies and positions you are applying for. With that being said, be sure your resume is up to date before graduating! Your resume should reflect your most recent skills and experiences that can be applied to the criteria of the position. If you would like a Career Consultant to review your resume before graduating, schedule a Quick Chat here.
3. Attend upcoming career fairs
If you are still looking for an internship or full-time position post-graduation, it is not too late! There are still upcoming career fairs to finish off the semester. For more information, check out the CCO Calendar for dates/times, to see what employers are attending, and how to register!
4. Continue to network
You should continue to network for the rest of your life! Making new connections with individuals can bring new opportunities. LinkedIn is a user-friendly platform that can allow you to network on a daily basis. If you utilize LinkedIn or network frequently, you are more likely to advance professionally and gain insight in your desired career field. Who knows, you may help a fellow Boilermaker land a job in the future!
5. Ask for letters of recommendation now!
Many students will take a gap year in between undergraduate school and graduate school. If you are planning to do this, be sure to ask professors or other professional connections for recommendation letters! You want to make sure you give the individual who is writing the letter enough time that way the letter is high-quality and detailed. Your letter will then be a more accurate description of your accomplishments, skill set, and work ethic.
Just because you may no longer be on campus does not mean that you don’t have access to CCO services! As a Purdue alumni, you will have lifelong free access to many of the same resources and services offered to current students. These resources include those that are embedded in myCCO that allow you to network, research employers, and do customized career exploration. Additionally, you are welcome to attend all Center for Career Opportunities campus workshops and resume and/or job search correspondence reviews. For more information on alumni services, click here.
I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. Enjoy the years to come! Once a Boilermaker, always a Boilermaker.
Windle Fray
