Classes just started and already professors are telling seniors to start the job hunt now.
Résumés, job listings and the decision between graduate school and starting a career are issues seniors are going to be confronted with in the next few months.
While the job market might not seem quite back to par, there are jobs available. Joe Goodwin, assistant director of the Career Center, said the unemployment rate for people with a bachelor's degree is about half of what it is for people without a college degree.
"In a good economy, it can take six to nine months to find a full-time job," Goodwin said. "It is important to start early and network."
Some students might not be panicking yet but Carma Shawger, Advising Center coordinator, said she will likely have some students come in mid-February and find out they don't have enough credits to graduate. She said students knowing how to read their Degree Analysis Progress Report and having a good relationship with their faculty adviser are equally important.
Some students might not meet all of their fine arts credits, but advisers can help students be aware and help the them fix it. Shawger has a file for everyone in the College of Communication, Information, and Media; the College of Fine Arts; and all speech pathology and audiology majors.
"We put all the graduation files together," Shawger said. "I send students who applied for graduation letters notifying them of their acceptance and what they might still need to complete before it's official."
Since all additional graduation information is sent to a student's home address, she said it is important to keep that information current with the respective department.
Students who intend to graduate this May need to apply for graduation soon. It is recommended for students to apply the semester before they intend to graduate so advisers can notify the student if they need another class before their schedules are final for their last semester.
If a student hasn't applied for May graduation yet, there's still time. The final day to apply is Feb. 7.
If a student has a hold on his or her account, it can prevent a student from graduating on time or even scheduling for classes. Holds also come into play when knowing which classes are only offered in either the Spring or Fall Semester.
"[Having a hold can] make all the difference that one time," Shawger said. "You can meet all the requirements [for your major] but not make all the required hours. Suddenly you need another class and that class is full."
Another stress that adds to the mix is waiting until the last semester to complete the Writing Proficiency Exam.
"Most students can't imagine that they won't pass the exam," Shawger said. "You cannot graduate without passing the [Writing Proficiency] Exam. There are no exceptions."
Graduate School
If deciding between the workforce and graduate school, there are other issues for students to think about. Graduate school is not for everyone. Some majors, like speech-language pathology, require a master's degree.
"I think that's a natural thing to think you could hit the pause button and prolong the real world," said Gerry Lanosga, assistant professor of journalism. "I would encourage students before they make that decision, to really talk to folks about it. Talk to the people in the business and faculty to decide."
Senior speech-language pathology major Molly Webb said she is applying to graduate schools. She qualifies for automatic acceptance into Ball State's program but is also applying to Kent State and Murray State as backups.
"I'm excited that I'm going to graduate, but I'm trying to enjoy the time here while I can so I can be ready to jump into graduate school when it comes time to settle down," Webb said.
Applying to multiple graduate schools can add up, she said. The fee for Ball State's application is $50.
"There's a fee for everything," Webb said. "I'm also going to apply for grad assistantships because they usually pay for tuition and include a stipend for the semester."
Enjoying the remainder
While planning for the future, many seniors are enjoying their last semester of college. Senior psychology major Emily Sciutto is planning fun activities for the next few months as well as for her future. One thing on her college bucket list is to climb a billboard.
"I made the bucket list because I wanted college to be as memorable as possible. I came up with the billboard one after driving down the highway and saw some people sitting on one," Sciutto said.
Lanosga said it's important to balance fun and planning for the future.
"College is the pinnacle of your education and you're trying to balance the need to get serious about life and trying to enjoy the final months that college provides," he said. "I would advise students to take a deep breath and enjoy the process."
Emily Sciutto's Bucket List for Graduation:
1. Climb a billboard
2. Pre-game in Bracken Library
3. Make out in the middle of the Scramble Light
4. Swim in Frog Baby's pond
5. Go streaking through the Quad
6. Spend the night in Bracken
7. Go on a road trip
8. Do a beer mile around the Village
9. Do a bar crawl downtown
10. 24-hour champagne diet
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