With hundreds of students getting ready to graduate in May, many different feelings can begin to surface. Emotions such as accomplishment, pride and growth, can combine with feelings of anxiety toward their next step into the real world.
Dr. Pamela J. Wind, a clinical psychologist at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Kent State, spoke about how moving on from college can be a difficult shift for graduates, and that feelings of apprehension are completely normal.
“Those kinds of transitions are stressful and difficult and this is a big transition, which comes with a lot of unknowns and a lot of contingencies to plan for,” Dr. Wind said.
It is very easy for some students to put pressure on themselves and feel as if they need to land the perfect job after college. However, she suggests that looking for jobs can be viewed as a learning experience.
“Give yourself permission to experiment and explore rather than find the right answer,” Dr. Wind said. “If that first step is something you hate, it’s not a mistake if you learn from it.”
While there are many different outlets students use while searching for jobs, she encourages students to simply ask people in their network.
“Ask for the favor; put it out there to your connections, to anybody who gives you the time of day,” Dr. Wind said. “Think about what you can control in that process.” She suggested that displaying your enthusiasm and willingness to people regarding the field you want to work in, could be beneficial for future connections and employment.
There are plenty of resources on campus that can help you before graduating. Dr. Wind recommends taking advantage of what the university has to offer to students at Career Services, as well as CAPS’s self-help tools web page.
“Effectively managing that stress, engaging in self-care, recharging yourself at some point, watching how you’re talking to yourself about all of these things,” Dr. Wind said. “It doesn’t necessarily make the stress go away because these are big things, but it will help you kind of tolerate that discomfort with leaving your bubble where you’re comfortable, and moving onto something else whether it’s known or unknown.”
Going through a big change can be overwhelming, but understanding your capability and putting yourself first can make these transitions less intimidating.
