Graduation is near, have you started planning?

By Isaiah Joseph | Published April 10, 2023

Graduation season is approaching and for many seniors at Kean, this marks the beginning of a new chapter that some aren’t prepared for.

The university’s primary goal is to prepare students to face head-on, the career paths they’ve been following since freshman year, and for some, a career path they might have chosen somewhere along the way. 

Before the 2023 graduates cross the stage in May, they should ask themselves this question, “what do I have planned and how am I preparing myself for life after graduation?” 

Career planning is a major tool for seniors. It is better for students to do it now rather than later to ensure that they have an idea of where they are going to start their new journey. 

Brandon Machado acquired his bachelor’s degree in writing studies in 2022 from Kean and is expecting to earn his master’s this fall.

“When I graduated with my bachelor’s I wasn’t ready to pursue something yet,” Machado said. “I get all those emails a few months before graduation from career services to stop by so I can talk about my future.”

After obtaining his master’s, Machado plans to either get a job teaching high school English or a job in editing. 

 “Hopefully the school [Kean] can help me connect with the nearby schools in the area because that would be a great start for me,” Machado said.

Kean’s Career Services Department located in the Center of Academic Success believes in supporting all students to search for an internship or job to assist in establishing their careers. The department’s goal is to aid students in pinpointing their career goals and securing an occupation that satisfies them.

Tiara Agurs, a senior majoring in nursing, found an opportunity as a nursing assistant at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth through Kean’s Career Services.

“I thought it was going to be difficult searching for a job before I graduate with my degree, but now that I am basically in the field of nursing and doing it in person, I’m guaranteed to pursue working as a full-time nurse here soon,” Agurs said.

Career Services provides a variety of benefits, including résumé critiques and simulated interviews, to assist students in finding a role that supports their career plans. 

Career services encourage all students and alumni to sign up with College Central, a career progress network that delivers top-edge technology for connecting employers to students, to publish their résumé, and explore paid internships and internships for academic credit, as well as full-time employment possibilities.

Building connections and networking is a crucial part of the preparation process. Students should be eager to find someone in their respective field, that have been in their shoes, to assist them in creating the blueprint for a successful career. 

Creating that foundation, and establishing that relationship goes a long way and students can then, in the future, return the favor and the cycle will continue.

One of the biggest benefits of getting a desired job is discovering connections through networking. Finding connections before graduating makes it much easier for seniors to snag a job they’ve always been interested in. 

Whether that is building connections through internships or job fairs, establishing that connection with alumni, who graduated with a degree in your major could be worthwhile. Additionally, Kean has several travel learning programs available to students who wish to study and build those connections abroad, as well as its campus in Wenzhou, China. 

“Opportunities are everywhere, and they are waiting for us to grab them, so while we still have the time we should take advantage of all the services the school offers,”  Agurs said. 

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