Yikes,  how did it get to be December already?  As I think about the past few months, there have been a few different worries that students have been expressing, so I think I’ll spend a little time talking about them.

 First, there have been a lot of first year students worrying  about what major and minor to choose.  The Majors/Minors Expo in November was helpful to many, but I know there are still students out there trying to figure out what will be the best major for them.  We’ve talked before about how important it is to pay attention to what you like and what you’re good at when you think about what major might be right for you.  Another thing to remember is that you should be cautious about choosing a major based on what someone else thinks would be a good choice for you (after all, they are NOT you).  Another thing to be cautious about is choosing a major because you think there will be a lot of jobs related to that major when you graduate.   The world changes very quickly, and fields which offer a lot of jobs today, may or may not offer that many in a few years.  So, we go back to choosing a major that focuses on things you know you’ll like learning about and will be good at.  That will translate into success for you because you’ll be motivated to be in your classes and you’ll do well in those classes!

Another worry, expressed by seniors, has been about life after Suffolk.  Those graduating in December are especially nervous about what will happen after they graduate.   Will they get a good job?  Is the job market good this time of year?  What about the economy?  Certainly a Suffolk education is valuable in the job market, and students should feel confidence about the skills, experience and compentencies they have developed.  One thing to realize is that the winter is as good a time as any to be job searching.  It is certainly not a disadvantage to be a December graduate.  At the same time, it does seem that the economy is slowing a bit.  What might this mean to you in your job hunt?  For one thing, it means that taking advantage of networking through Suffolk alumni or professional associations is more important than ever in uncovering the huge portion of jobs that are not advertised.  Taking advantage of resources like eRecruiting and the Alumni Career Advisory Network can really help.  And, having a focused job objective is key to presenting yourself effectively in the job market.

 If you are a freshman trying to figure out a major, come see us in Career Services and we can help!  AND, if you are about to graduate, make an appointment with a counselor so you can devise and individualized job search strategy that will work successfully for your specific career goals.  We’ve got the resources and support you need, so make sure you seek us out!