When Internship & Career Planning hosts walk-in hours in the University Center foyer, one of our questions for seniors who stop by is: “What do you want to do after graduation?” Most students tell us they will be applying for jobs in their field, graduate school or a year of service. Some don’t know exactly how to answer.
For English major, Patrick Synan (class of 2014), the answer was easy - he was going on to graduate school. He applied to Boston College’s (BC) Irish Studies graduate program in December, and let our office know that he was accepted in March. With an acceptance letter under his belt, Patrick walked by our table in the foyer every Tuesday and Wednesday proud to be one of the seniors who seemed to have life after graduation all figured out.
There were only 37 days left until graduation when Patrick called to request an “emergency meeting” with Jennifer Landon, our career consultant.
I sat down with Patrick to get his perspective on his last minute meeting with Internship & Career Planning, and why it was so important.
Patrick said his new advisor at BC informed him of an employment opportunity at BC. That is when panic set in. Patrick did not have a current resume to send in! The job description also called for a cover letter, which he had no idea how to write. Jennifer was able to edit his resume so that it best reflected his experience that qualified him for the position, and gave him advice on how to get started on a cover letter. “I felt so much better after the meeting. I thought that, since I was going to grad school, I didn’t need all of the career advice, but I guess I did!” Patrick explained.
When asked what advice he would give to other students to avoid the stress he endured, Patrick said, “Don’t wait as long as I did. Even if you think you don’t need their help, you do!”
We’re happy to congratulate Patrick on his acceptance into graduate school and look forward to congratulating him on a job offer. Please let us know how we can help, whether it’s for a quick resume review, cover letter advice, mock interview, graduate school or general job search, it’s never too late. Contact Internship & Career Planning at 603-641-4394 or stop by Katie’s cube in Pandora or during walk-in hours in the foyer of the University Center most Tuesdays 11-1 and Wednesdays 11-1 and 4-6.
