WE DID IT!… Now What?

By: Hayden Scott

University graduates! We made it! Or at least almost! So… What comes next? The obvious answer for many is to get a job. Right, but how? Which company do you choose, or which job description fits what you want to do? These questions and many more plague almost all graduates as they leave academia with their degrees, ready to take on the world but unsure of how. It doesn’t help that everyone seems to ask these questions of us, and we feel obligated to have a “correct” answer.

Some people have it all on lock, while others are still figuring it all out. Here are the plans of some NAU Business Administration seniors as they move on from NAU.

Ethan Lew is graduating this week, May 10th, with his Business Administration degree! He works for a real estate company as a leasing assistant and recently obtained his real estate license. After he graduates, he will continue working for the company and will be promoted to a leasing agent.

He shares that his greatest mentor who influenced his career aspirations was his dad, who helped him find his “why.” Why that position? Why that company? Why am I the right person for it? With these whys, Ethan determined his long-term goals and realized that while they may not be feasible right now, with determination and hard work, he wants to move back to his hometown of the San Francisco Bay Area in seven to ten years.

Veronica Mortensen, another Business Administration Senior, is graduating at the end of this week on May 10th! As a current intern for SRP on the Business Process and Organizational Change Management team, Veronica shares that she has learned project management skills and wants to remain with the company post-graduation in a business analyst position.

 

However, Veronica shares that her long-term goal is to open an HVAC company with her brother in five to eight years. While it is still a little bit away, she and her brother have already begun saving money to put toward their future business. With the support of her parents, who guided and pushed her toward her goals, Veronica is ready for the next adventure.

Abby Tabb is graduating in December of this year, but that doesn’t stop the what’s next questions. Abby doesn’t have a job lined up quite yet, sharing, “It’s still a little ways away.” However, she has made numerous connections and has networked within the cosmetics and pharmaceutical communities. She plans on acquiring an entry-level position shortly after she graduates in one of the fields. 

Abby has commented that one of her biggest influences is her former boss, who helped to spark her desire in the industry through advice, support, and encouragement to remain focused on her goals for her professional career. She wants to be the Chief Marketing Officer of a large multinational company in 15 years. She shares, “It is important for me to advance in my career and remain in a position where I am working towards something greater” and “Connections are a great way to gain access to such opportunities, and I will prioritize networking throughout my career.”

Michelle Villagrana is also a future graduate in December 2024! Graduating with her degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing, Michelle has had quite the education journey! While she began at NAU in 2016, she had many ups, downs, and pauses in her journey. She iterates the feeling of hitting walls of uncertainty, which she worked through thanks to the introduction of rock climbing and bouldering in her life.

Michelle doesn’t have a plan quite yet on what comes next for her after graduation, but she is interested in pursuing a career in marketing in the corporate world. Her dream is to work in a corporate position and gain crucial work experience, then leave to open an indoor climbing gym in Southern California with like-minded friends. (She already has a basic outline for her business plan!)

You may be wondering, Hayden, but what about you? What’s your plan? To be honest, I don’t know. Similar to Abby and Michelle, I plan on working in the corporate world out of college to gain experience, network, and learn from those around me. However, I don’t have a long-term dream or goal… Yet. I have been incredibly lucky to have a strong support system of people who want to see me succeed.

However, over my last semester with NAU, I want to put some of my efforts into figuring out these questions. I plan on working with the NAU Career Center, attending job fairs, getting my name to companies, and promoting myself. One avenue I would like to explore is marketing for the fashion or beauty industries. 

We have accomplished an amazing thing. We have our degrees. The what comes next question can be daunting and maybe scary for some, but the future is going to come whether we’re ready for it or not. So, start thinking about it. Start planning. Because pretty soon, you too will realize, WE DID IT!… Now what?

Advice from Graduating Students:

Ethan Lew: Adult life moving forward is going to be tough. Remember to embrace those challenges, continue to learn, and work hard daily to reach your goals. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy life. You only have one chance, so make the most of it.

Veronica Mortensen: No matter how hard school gets and how much you want to quit sometimes, stick it out because finishing your degree opens up a new world of opportunities!

Abby Tabb: Embrace every opportunity as a chance to learn and grow. Remember that growth and success are not always linear; you will surely face setbacks throughout your academic career. View these as milestones on your path to achievement. Be resilient, believe in yourself, and always strive to make a positive impact in everything you do. Your journey is your own, so trust in your abilities and keep moving forward with courage and perseverance.

Michelle Villagrana: I have three pieces of advice that I hold dear to myself that I would like to share:

1. The process of learning never stops, even after you graduate. Every task and experience in life can teach you something new, no matter how significant it may seem. Every experience, big or small, has a valuable lesson to offer.

2. “Your generosity will open all the doors, not your selfishness” – The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Luis. This quote emphasizes the importance of being generous and selfless towards others, as it will ultimately lead to more opportunities and success.

3. Everybody wants to be understood by somebody. Take the time to listen to others and empathize with their perspectives. It can make a significant difference in someone’s life and can strengthen your relationships with others.

Hayden Scott: Nobody’s path looks the same, so try not to feel disheartened if you don’t think your life looks how it’s “supposed to.” Be the best person you can be, and take a breath because you are doing great.