It’s hard to believe that in less than two weeks I will be walking across a stage in my cap and gown. Granted it will be fun, but it is honestly quite terrifying. This is the moment where everything changes, and a part of me wishes I can go back to freshman year. There are a couple of things I missed out on that I wanted to do, but there were also things I wouldn’t give up for the world. Here’s a few of them:
1: Don’t be afraid to Study Abroad for a Semester
In other words don’t be like me. I always wanted to go to Kyoto, Japan or Seoul, South Korea. However, I was to afraid of traveling on my own to actually allow myself to experience the chance of a lifetime. All the time I here my fellow classmates discuss their study abroad trip impacted them. How it made them courageous, more independent, and more well rounded. They experienced something so precious and life changing.
2: Internship Internship Internship
So technically I have never done an Internship, but I have volunteer opportunities that I have taken up that can suffice as internships. Either way, it is important to get hands on experience in your career field before graduating. However, don’t do it just so you can have a better chance of getting a job once you graduate. Do it for you. An internship helps you be prepared for the career world while also building up your confidence as a future graduate. With my applied learning classes and volunteer opportunities I have gain the confidence I need to walk into an interview prepared for whatever they ask me.
3: Career Service Center
Please go to the Career Service Center before applying to a job or internship. This center is here to help you build powerful resumes and portfolios that can help you stand out against the others. Sadly, I took them for granted and didn’t go to them for a couple of job opportunities. However, next week I will be heading over there to get my resume and portfolio in check before applying to jobs matching my career fields. Not to mention they can help you prepare for interviews and what to wear to interviews. They are my life savior basically.
4: Treat Every Class Like It’s Your Career
No, but seriously do this. All the classes you take at UNCW will be beneficial in some way, shape, or form. Trust me on this. That is why it is important to treat every class seriously. Read the books. Write a paper that you would be proud of. All the projects you get? Complete them in a manner that you can put in a portfolio and show a future employer. Pay attention to the professor. Your classes here at UNCW is almost in a way an internship, because everything you learn you will most likely use somehow. Yes, I know it sucks to ready a book that can be very dry and almost cry worth, but it’s worth it. You will be better prepared and more confident of your skills if you do.
5: Find Your Passion
A fact about me is that if I’m not passionate about what I’m doing, I will do terribly at it. That’s just how it is for me. I was scared of this because there were people always saying that your job will most likely not be your passion. In response I asked myself what is the point of getting a degree in something that you won’t love or have a passion for? Now, your career won’t always be rainbows and butterflies, but it shouldn’t be miserable either. However, if you have a passion for it the good days will always out way the bad days. I’ve come to realized that my passion is helping others. Whether they’re a customer, client, team member, or an employer. I want to make the people around me happy and know that they have someone that they can depend on. Following my passion I am so excited to graduate and enter the workforce, because I can wait to follow my passion and see what happens.
I guess I am really sappy or cliche right now, but who cares. This is what I see when I look back on my years at UNCW. From an ignorant freshman to a senior who’s following her passion and dreams. Either way, it has been an honor to be a Seahawk these past four years. Thanks for the memories!
-Myranda Ross
IMC Hawks Blog 