Resources help graduates

The thought of college graduation unleashes a multitude of anticipations, anxieties, and new opportunities. The expanse of options that college graduation grants ranges from the typical emancipation of a career or graduate school, to the not-so-typical options like joining the Peace Corps, Teach for America, working and studying abroad, just to name a few. \nWith so many options it can be easy to jump into a career or pack up your books and take them straight to grad school before you realize what you really want. The not-so-typical options allow time for self-growth, understanding and allowing for networking in order to start a career or grad school in a more focused and competitive position than before. \n"I suggest them as ways to learn more about yourself," said Assistant Director of Arts and Science Placement Office Regina McCann.\nThe ASPO offers a great resource that can help students decide what option best suits them. Mccann says now is the time to start research. \n"It's never too early to start thinking about your future," McCann said.\nOne often untapped resource is ASPO's recruiting Web site which provides means to research different opportunities, a place to post resumes, set up interviews and also provides a calendar to keep you updated on all of IU's upcoming events. \nThe site has a $25 logon fee, which can be paid with cash or credit to the ASPO office. The membership is good for six months after graduation, regardless of a student's standing. \nASPO's Associate Director Arlene Hill said one option which is extremely beneficial to hone skills and to make important networking connections is fellowships. \nFellowships encompass a wide range of opportunities for experiential learning, including summer institutions, research grants, and study/work abroad experiences, ranging in length from two weeks to a year or more.\n"The most important benefit of doing a fellowship is that a fellowship tends to have more prestige," Hill said. "More opportunities to meet and work with and therefore network with leaders in a particular field; generally people who complete a fellowship have already completed other internships -- both are certainly beneficial."\nSophomore Scott Shackelford went to the University of Pennsylvania this last summer to take part in the Institute for Research into Cognitive Science. \n"We got to hear from leading researchers around the world," Shackelford said. \nThese lectures, among his other experiences at Penn undoubtedly helped Shackelford with his history and economics double major. \nShackelford said he appreciated the opportunity.\n"The experience was incredible and eye opening," Shackelford said. "It definitely helped me make very important and lasting connections. I would recommend taking part in fellowships in an area that interests you, and don't be intimidated if it isn't a subject that you have a tremendous amount of prior knowledge in."\nFor people specifically interested in working or continuing studies abroad, The British Universities North America Club is another organization that helps students set up jobs and housing in Britain, Australia or New Zealand. \nJobs include office work, bartending jobs, restaurant and catering, retail and others. \nTeach for America is a two-year teaching opportunity that offers individuals a full-time paid teaching job in urban and rural public schools, where teachers are in need, usually in lower income areas, in one of 18 locations in the U.S. Candidates can come from any major and go on to pursue a career in any field.\n"We look for high achievers with strong leadership experiences." said Dara Miller, director of recruitment support for Teach for America. "It can be very rewarding, leading you to a network of strong leaders, all working towards the same mission of closing the achievement gap."\nPeace Corps is a government-run organization wherein individuals have the opportunity to volunteer abroad in order to help interested countries meet their need for trained men and women, to help people of other countries better understand Americans, and for Americans to better understand people of other countries. \nThe benefits of Peace Corps include the skills that you will learn as you are trained for your job, and when you return, the Returned Volunteer Service will be valuable to help in finding work. \nRegardless of what path is chosen when students graduate, McCann argues students to not let the economy or job placement discourage them. McCann said many people change jobs and careers over time.\n"We just have to look for alternative methods," McCann said. "Be more aggressive, although the opportunities are definitely still there"