Photo: Andrea Ludtke via Flickr
It is no secret that as college students, all of us here at Cal Poly Pomona (CPP) are aiming toward one general goal: to one day be contributing, self-sufficient and successful members of society.
Lucky for us, we have at least four years to face that reality. Or perhaps, you are in the same boat as I am: one more year to go. Regardless of where you are in your undergraduate career, realize that preparing yourself now will only benefit you in the long run. If you haven’t thought about these things, maybe you should start so you can go out into the real world, like a boss.
1. Investing in office-appropriate clothing
Usually people wait to land the job before shopping for outfits, but this task is actually harder and pricier than it seems. Take the time to start adding pieces to your wardrobe now. A blazer, nice dress shoes are the perfect place to start. Try to have about three different tops and three different bottoms, that way you can mix and match, adding to your selection!
2. Building your credit history
Credit cards can be a messy thing if not handled properly, but is something that is necessary as an adult. If after graduation you plan on renting an apartment, buying a house or a car, your credit score will be reviewed. The concept of credit cards can be confusing and scary, so it is very important to get as much information as you can. Use your resources; ask questions at your local bank branch or attend a workshop or talk to a teller from the Cal Poly Pomona Federal Credit Union.
3. Getting a job/internship related to your major
Most of us work an entry level job in retail, food service or an on-campus job to pay for any expenses while in college. While that job served as a good and fun introduction to the work force, as adults, we all have to eventually start thinking about getting a career related to the degree we are trying to earn. In this economy, it can take a while to get that first job right out of college, so what better time to get started than now? Attend one of the Career Center’s Job Fair in the fall, winter and spring to get started!
4. Saving money
You will have extra expenses as a graduating student, it will be good to have some money set aside for that. Getting a stable, full-time job once you finish your degree will take time; having the extra funds to rely on will come in handy while you’re in between jobs, on the hunt for a full-time employment opportunity.
5. Enjoying your free time and breaks as an undergrad student
Once you get that career going, you’re most likely going to be hard at work, trying to impress the right people. It might be a while before you can take a vacay. Whether you want to go on a road trip, travel abroad, hit up all the local spots near CPP or just want to spend time with people most important to you, make sure you make time for it while you still have summer, winter and spring breaks.
6. Knowing how to do chores around the house.
This seems random but knowing how to do chores is an important part of growing up. A lot of us will move away from home after we leave college, so if you haven’t yet, it’s important that you learn how to cook, do laundry, pay bills and maintain your living space. Even if you plan on staying at home for now, it’s never too early to start practicing and learning. Plus, your parents or roommates would appreciate the gesture!
7. Keeping up with current events.
We can no longer get away with saying “I don’t know” or not having anything to say about things that are going on in the world. Things might not end so well if a prospective employer or a boss asks you about a current event and you have nothing to say about it. As adults, it’s a good idea to keep up with the news because it says that you care about the world around you.
How are you getting ready to leave Cal Poly Pomona? What steps are you taking to become an adult in “The Real World”? Don’t forget to tag us @asicpp and #CampusCropChat when you post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
