Ever since I was young, I have known that I have wanted to be a teacher.

As a senior in the Early Childhood Education program about to enter student teaching, a million thoughts enter my head as I start to think about my future. It is surreal to me that I will be entering the working world in a few short months. With graduation soon approaching, the thought of no longer being in the routine of school is something that terrifies me. I have conducted a list of some typical fears that seniors have during this time of their life and my advice for going about them.

1. Do I get a job or go to grad school?

Do I go straight into the workforce post graduation or should I apply for graduate school? Where should I apply and can I get a grad assistantship? What would I study in grad school? How will I pay for this? These are thoughts I have had for a few months now as I start to think about my future. After talking to colleagues and peers, I have received lots of advice for what to do in this situation. Explore different graduate programs by doing ample research on what program would be best for you. Talk to your advisor and professors about the decision between the option of working or going to grad school. As I still do not know which option to choose, I will be applying for grad schools this fall and will have time to make a decision. 

2. Where do I start? How do I apply and look for jobs?

Looking for a job and planning your future can be overwhelming. Where do you even start? You can always schedule a Career Coaching session with a Career Development Center for one-on-one help. Additionally, you can find job postings on various sites. If you haven’t already, create a LinkedIn account to follow different companies and grow your network. From there, you can search job postings and make connections with employers at that specific company. You can also browse Handshake for many great opportunities. If you have had an internship or field experience, contact your connections or check their website to see if there are any openings. The great thing about this day in age is that everything can be searched on Google! Curious to see if there are jobs available nearby? Use your resources and search online!

3. Did I choose the right career path?

As the working world starts to approach the horizon, I believe that second guessing your career path is a reasonable thought. Because I have always wanted to be a teacher, I never really had the opportunity to explore other career paths. What if I excelled with a different major? What if I can’t get a job in my field? What if I am just not good enough? These are all reasonable thoughts I have had as I start to plan for my future profession. But then I remember that teaching is something I am beyond passionate about. I have excelled in all my classes and efficiently taught lessons in my field experiences. I have made a difference in my students’ lives and I have no doubt that I won’t be able to do that once I graduate. Have faith in yourself and be confident in your abilities. You can always switch careers if needed.

Despite all of these fears and concerns for what my plans entail after graduation, I know that my first step after graduation will not be my final destination. All of my questions will be answered as my career progresses and I realize what the best fit will be for me. Life after graduation is just the beginning and I know there will be many twists and turns.