As May approaches quickly, graduating seniors at Andrews University are having to finalize their plans after graduation, whether it be graduate school, a full-time job or more. When asked about their plans for the future, students have a multitude of emotions, some confident and some terrified. Upon asking a few graduating seniors here at Andrews University, we can gain some insight into their plans after graduation and how they believe the education system could better prepare them for a life of “adulting.”
Aleah Crayton, an architecture student, plans to return to Andrews in the fall to gain her master’s, after which she will return home to work. Though she had an internship in the summer of 2025, which gave her a glimpse into the workforce, she says that she “still has reservations and nerves pertaining to where [she] might end up post graduation, especially with getting licensed, etc.” Crayton recommends that “every university department place a level of importance on networking and introducing future companies or employers early on (in freshman or sophomore year). This way,” she says, “when students get to their junior/senior year, they don’t feel overwhelmed with the job application process, especially networking.” Crayton believes that her own department does “okay” with their firm fairs and allowing first years to gain insight into what their work environment looks like. “Adulting can be scary in general,” she says, but without any comfort in the area, it can become an overwhelming nightmare.”
Jacquan Darell, a finance student, is a bit more confident when it comes to life after graduation. Darrell plans on being placed in an internship after graduating, during which he will be job hunting. “I feel relatively confident about joining the workforce after school. I think that I am pretty prepared,” he says, but also believes that “beneficial actions could be taken regarding preparing people for adulting, including implementing more short courses or programs that are directly focused on life after college.”
Cailan Fleming, gaining his mechanical engineering degree in May, plans to spend time with family and friends before working. “It is a bittersweet feeling leaving school and entering the workforce. I have been a student practically my entire life,” he says. Fleming has some nerves about navigating rooms that are “no longer just for young adults but for ‘grown folks.’” When it comes to changes that could be made in order to better prepare students for their futures, Fleming says that, “I think one of the main ways we can prepare for this is in the beginning to learn about the challenges adulting brings. Things like saving plans [and] working in a corporate setting. Also, having ways to connect and stay connected with other young persons entering the work force, and building that community of persons facing the same challenges you are, will be beneficial.”
Finally, Ariana Hughes, a senior majoring in pre-speech pathology and Spanish, will be returning to campus in the fall to obtain her doctorate in speech pathology. One of Hughes’s main concerns with life after college is taxes. “There should be a class of everything you need to know before you leave college focused on things like taxes, social security, investments, retirement, work-life balance, etc.,” she says. Hughes says she has quite a bit of fear with “having to do real life,” and wishes that older generations would teach newer generations the ropes. “Older generations often doubt newer generations and think we are not responsible enough, but, if they don’t teach us these things, how are we supposed to know?”
If you relate to any of their stories or concerns, there are many resources on campus focused on students leaving school with confidence in their success in their careers. Visit the Andrews University Career Center for more information. They host a Tuesday Short Course option each week focused on preparing successful graduates. Also reach out to the Center for Faith and Engagement or Student Life for assistance.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.