It's your senior year. Although this is the time to cherish your final college days and dream about all the exciting opportunities that await you, now is not the time to put it in cruise control.
Dotting the Is and Crossing the Ts
Graduating on time - what a great concept! This means more than just successfully completing all of your required classes. It also means making sure all of your paperwork is properly completed and all fees are paid. With everything else going on, there are always things we put off until the last minute. Meet with your advisor at the start of the fall semester so that you know exactly where you stand with respect to your academic requirements.
In addition, your school will probably send you a graduation packet during your senior year. Mark your calendar and make sure you have the packet completed well ahead of time in order to avoid any last minute problems.
Interns - Not Just for Getting Coffee Anymore
It's not too late to get an internship during your senior year. For example, many firms will be looking for interns during tax season. Due to the shortage of accounting talent, interns are being given increasingly important responsibilities. This may be your last chance to fortify both your experience and your resume before you graduate - don't waste it!
Often, these internships lead to full-time job offers at the end of the semester. You may even be able to get college credits through your school's co-op program. Talk to your academic advisor or career services representative.
Hi, My Name Is...
Wish you had a nickel every time you heard the word "networking?" Make no mistake; networking is essential for your career development. Whether you are going to graduate school or entering the workforce, you'll want to have recommendations from your professors and previous employers - so keep in touch with them.
Make sure you ask people before you list them as references. In many cases, your professors will have contacts in the professional field and will be more than happy to put in a good word for you. Another networking boost is to join professional organizations such as the New Jersey Society of CPAs (http://www.njscpa.org/join). You'll remain up to date in your field and can network with young people going through similar experiences.
Next Stop?
The champagne is finished, the cap and gown are put away, and the diploma is on the wall. Now what? You may be itching to hit the workforce, or graduate school may be your next stop. Don't make a knee-jerk decision; take some time to think about it. If grad school is your choice, then you will have to select a school, prepare for the entrance exam and complete the application process.
You may want to gain some valuable work experience right away. Graduate school can wait or you can attend part-time. If you already have a job, great. Otherwise, a good place to start is the
NJSCPA Career Night.
Perhaps, after much contemplation, you may just decide to spend a few months backpacking in Europe. If so, good for you. But when you return, it's time to get serious about your future.
The quicker you can check off things on your "to do" list, the more you'll be able to breathe easier and enjoy that last year of college before you transition to the next phase of your life.
Md Maruf is an NJSCPA student member and a tax associate with Weiser LLP. He can be reached at 212-375-6677 or mmaruf@weiserllp.com.