Dear Students,
The fall semester is in full gear, and as always things are moving at a rapid pace. I know that this has been a crazy start for many of you with the recent natural disasters. But I encourage all of you to be sure you are taking advantage of your opportunities and resources on campus. Whether it is your freshman Cornerstones group, study sessions from your teaching assistant, office hours of your faculty, the Counseling and Mental Health Center, the Sanger Learning Center, your academic advisors, or any of the many other resources here to support you. We are here to help you succeed, so take advantage.
Part of that success is preparing you to juggle a lot of things at once. Like working on classes, attending to your personal life, and thinking about your future. So here at the start of the semester I'm going to ask you all to start thinking about what you want to do after you graduate. "What?! We are only two weeks into the year! Is this really the time?" you say. It might seem like a crazy idea, but it is not. For the new freshman, this is the time where you transition from every person you meet asking you, "Where are you going to college?" to them asking you, "What are you going to do when you graduate?" The rest of you are well aware of this persistent question.
It is not that you need a definitive plan today. It is simply that you should be thinking about it, whether that means graduate school, professional school, or finding a job. Some of you have not only been thinking about this issue but you are actively job hunting right now. For that crew, be sure to attend this Thursday's CNS Technology and Science Career Fair.
Maybe you are not yet ready to start looking for a job but are wondering how to even start thinking about it? Then consider "Bite-Size Career Challenges," our 4-week, hands-on workshop series to help you through this process. The series will be held every Thursday from 3:30-4:30pm beginning Sept. 21 through Oct. 12. Please complete this quick survey if you are interested so you can receive additional information and a reminder prior to the first workshop.
It is never too early to start thinking about the after life. (Isn't that what you call life after UT?) So add it to the list of things you are juggling at the start of this year. And don't forget, help abounds. Reach out and take advantage.
Best,
Dr. Vanden Bout
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