UT Tyler Student Money Management hosts Life After Graduation workshop

     May 2014 marks a milestone for seniors here at The University of Texas at Tyler. It is time for GRADUATION! The final step to end their college career is approaching. Some have a plan of what they're doing after graduations while others are still trying to figure it out. There are even those that are lucky enough to have jobs lined up. If you still haven't decided what you're going to do, don't worry! The UT Tyler Student Money Management program is hosting an event called "Life After Graduation."

I Graduated from UT Tyler....Now What?

On Friday, December 13th, I graduated from The University of Texas at Tyler with my bachelor's. I walked across the stage and later went out to eat with my family.

Now, I'm still working my two part time jobs and have to get started on what I'm going to do post-graduation. It still hasn't fully sunk in that I won't have to worry about classes next spring. So I'm feeling a bit lost. 

Graduation is happening!

On Wednesday, the chair of the department of Political Science and History stopped me in the hallway and told me he signed off on my graduation application and I'm all set.

There's some of our readers that are in high school and some are barely beginning their college careers. Maybe you aren't fully aware of what it takes to get to this point, so let's journey into the depths of what it takes to graduate at The University of Texas at Tyler.

Official Correspondence. What what!

Is it hard work?

As I mentioned before in my previous blogs that I will be graduating in December, well for past couple of weeks I have been delaying on applying for my graduation for fall and the priority deadline was in June L

Fortunately I finally applied for my graduation today before the final deadline which I think is in October. It’s just going to get hectic for me from here. For example: the pressure of making all A’s in my classes to end my semester in a good shape.

I have been thinking about all the classes I took in past here at The University of Texas at Tyler, and realized that maybe I don’t meet the graduation requirements (I think I am just nervous). And because of that I emailed my advisor to make sure I meet all the requirements before I actually turn in my graduation application.

Well of course I meet my requirements because I have asked her that question so many times. And her response was to just turn in my application ASAP.

Why is it getting harder and harder to keep my mind focused? I am trying to convince myself that after 

December I won’t be coming to UT Tyler L

So for all the seniors out there, who are waiting to apply for graduation towards the end of deadline, please don’t because you would want to leave enough time for your advisor to get back with you if you have a glitch in your graduation requirements.

Being a senior is a very hard work, but if you start and plan everything ahead of time, nothing is impossible!

Last post as an Undergrad at The University of Texas at Tyler... ?

   As I write this I am one class away from finally having completed my Undergraduate Degree and also having cleared 6 hours in my Graduate Degree. Needless to say, this is a weird place to be academically.

Graduate School Searching! PART 1

   One thing that I have been actively doing recently is looking into Grad. Schools across the US to see where I want to end up! Sometimes, staying at one school is good if you're going for your Undergrad/Masters, however going to one school for three tiers of education can be viewed as a "no no," (this referring to Undergrad/Masters/PhD).

   Some things to look for are:
   - Do the departments there teach what interests you?
   - Do the faculty support your idea(s)?
   - Is the city a good place to live?
   - Can you find work on campus, or elsewhere, to support yourself?

   These are only some of the things to look into, and I will go into this more here over the next few weeks!

Senior Plans- I HAVE NO PLAN

This semester is my last here at The University of Texas at Tyler. As a student of English and Communication, I have applied for graduation, and been approved. My grades permitting, I will be walking across the Cowan Center stage come May.

I have moved 38 times, and after each move I have made, I felt as if I was missing out on chances. I was afraid I was missing out on connections with people. No move I made was ever 100% my choice. 

As a child, you go where your parent(s) take you. As a university student, you go where you need to for your future. As an adult... well, it seems to be more about the money. I don't know about money, but my move to Austin this summer will start my career; it will be move number 39.

My original plan for UT Tyler was that I was only going to stay here at UT Tyler for one year, and move on to a larger school. This university quickly became my home. This epoch of my life is the second longest I have ever lived in the same area and known the same people. My university experiences have taught me that things, well, they will always change anyway. It doesn't matter if you move away or make plans or make promises. 

As functional humans, we need to understand that we cannot predict anything based on past events. We can only plan very little. We can only adapt.

Friends, family, my esthetician, acquaintances and the lady at the Walgreens all ask me what I’m planning to do when I graduate. Find a job! What do you think?

I’m feeling sentimental looking back, and realizing what the heart of this school has shown me.

Life does not work according to your Google calendar, and that's okay.  

Last Day, GREAT Day!

Today is officially my last to work in our Call Center here at The University of Texas at Tyler. That statement is very bitter sweet for me. I have absolutely LOVED my time here, and I was so lucky to have been given the opportunity to work here throughout the semester. I've made some awesome new friends , and I am excited to keep following this blog myself to keep up with them!

Yes, this is me TODAY on my last day. I'm sad, and it's cold! 

So, although I will miss this job and all of the friends that I have been so fortunate to work with, I am still greatly anticipating the events that are still to come in my life. A quick update: I've had a couple more interviews with potential full-time employers, and should be hearing back from them within the next few days. Hopefully I can soon start the next chapter in my life!

In closing, I hope that you all have enjoyed my small presence in your life! I hope that you've enjoyed reading these blogs, hearing from me on the phone, working with me, or being in class with me! It's nice to be able to look back on this semester and know that I made the right decision to finish up my college career by taking classes here at UT Tyler.

My final piece of advice to you all is this: Don't be afraid to do what makes you happy. Life is too short to stay on the straight and narrow path because that is what others expect of you. Whether you're looking into colleges, about to start college, or nearing graduation, please take some time to reflect on YOUR wants and needs, and follow those desires! Other people may think that you're crazy, but it could turn out to be a great, mysterious, and beautiful adventure. 

It's still my last day, but I'm happy with the opportunities that I've had this semester. :)

Much <3

Kat

Graduation, Moving, Apartments, OH MY!

My dearest UT Tyler friends, family, and fellow students, I am approaching a HUGE opportunity for change in my life right now. I will be graduated and done with my undergraduate career in two weeks, and this has been a long time coming! I definitely think that I am in the point in my life where a change is in order. :)

So, as you all read in Post UT-Tyler Life, I have been looking for potential employment opportunities for awhile now. Although nothing is set in stone, I finally had a couple of small breaks. Now, as I try to plan my future, I am learning that living on a budget while paying for rent and bills is NOT easy! I've always thought it would be cool/fun to get my own place, a cozy little 1 bedroom/1 bathroom apartment, but in reality, that's a tough task!

Basically, my life is a little crazy now, but it will work itself in the end. I'm sure of it! And if I figure out where my future is headed before I finish my duties here as a Student Blogger, I'll be SURE to let you know!

--Kat

PS - Get ready for finals! You can do it!

Why College Matters … To Me, Anyway

Why College Matters … To Me, Anyway

   It baffles people when I tell them that I graduated ( well, escaped ) High School from Houston back in 2003. I was lucky to have gone to a fairly nice High School called Stratford in the Spring Branch area of Houston, a school where I should have done my best in all my classes, studied, and tried to make better connections that I did.

Post-UT Tyler Life

Ok, so graduation is coming. Like, in less than a month! Over the past several weeks I have applied to about 12 full-time jobs to start in January, and heard back from one. Yeah, not everyone tells you about how hard you have to WORK to get hired, even with a degree in your pocket!

As of right now, I plan to just keep pushing through and apply for ALL the jobs! Persistence is key. Maybe. We'll see!

Some things to do BEFORE you start applying:

1) Brush up your resume!
2) Review proper application etiquette - cover letters, references, interviews, and professional responses.
3) Know your audience, and only apply for jobs that you would ACTUALLY want to do!

Now, I've sifted through my Facebook to bring you The Progression of Kat - Awkward Pictures from My Past....... :P

Resume Tips 2012

As the job market is shifting rapidly with technology, it is important to stay with the trends in hiring if you want to take a good step forward after you graduate from UT Tyler.

In my Interviewing class, I created a Resume Checklist, that I could use to determine if a resume is worthy of the more than seven seconds on average that it takes them to pass over it! I help with hiring at the blog here, and I can say that it does not take long to distinguish if someone is not a right fit for our office. Listed below are some ways to be sure to stick out in the good ways, and get that interview.

• center personal identification at the top:
  Name
  Address
  City, State Zip
  Phone
  Email Address 
• use key words from the job's description
• use an "Objectives Section" over a cover letter, unless otherwise stated
• include your college education background with dates you graduate (past or future)
• keep visual consistency (one type of font 10-12 point, with patterns for information that are easy to follow)
• previous "Professional Experiences" in reverse chronological order
• list internships under "Professional Experiences" with your work history
• right out of college, keep your resume one page, while expanding margins to allow for more space
• be a good fit for the company- and show you can learn versatile information 
• list specific experience
• phrase in past tense

I cannot promise you this will get you the job, but I promise that if you word your resume correctly, you will get an interview!

Thinking about your future?

Just this weekend my mom and I were discussing exactly how I should be preparing for my future. This pending graduation in December is QUICKLY approaching! There's so much talk about resumes, full-time jobs, graduate school, internships, and the plethora of other post-graduation opportunities!

Luckily, The University of Texas at Tyler hosts wonderful events to help students at every step of their education. I am particularly looking forward to the Graduate and Professional School Info Panel Session hosted by Career Services. This event will take place THIS FRIDAY October 12 from 12-1:30 in the UC Ballroom! 

The information being presented includes:
     1) Information on choosing a graduate program
     2) Advice on how to move through the process of applying to graduate school
     3) Tips on succeeding in graduate or professional school

And the program will feature panel guests from The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Tyler, and LeTourneau University.

Personally, I am looking forward to this event. I need more information about the possibilities of my future! To save your spot, go log in to PatriotJobs. Find the event and click RSVP! This event will provide refreshments, but you must bring your own lunch. They also request that you please show up on time! :)

What are your plans for the future? Will I see you at this session? Let me know! 

Crisis Averted

This pass Tuesday while in the business building I was taken aside by my adviser and told there was something important she needed to talk with me about. About two months ago I submitted my application for graduation and had been eagerly awaiting word from my department since. However, she had some bad news. She said I was 2 hours short of graduating this December.

My first reaction was to flip over all the tables in site whilst screaming at the top of my lungs, "POR QUE!!!!!!!!!!!!" I instead decided to go with my second reaction and asked if there is anything that could be done. She said she had already begun to set up an independent study course with her that would make up those hours. In less than 10 minutes one of the biggest crises of my college career had been brought to my attention and then averted. I went and filled out the proper paperwork and am now registered for an independent study of 19^th century presidents.

I couldn’t imagine another University where this could have occurred. At any larger school I would have been treated like another number and simply pushed to the side. At The University of Texas at Tyler you are treated like a person with the respect and dignity you deserve and the professors here truly want you to succeed as a student. It’s times like these I’m glad I chose a school like UT Tyler.

Life Cheat #83042: Everything changed after the fire nation attacked

151 Days Until I Graduate

Tomorrow I will be visiting the cashier's office to pay for my application for graduation in the fall. I will then go to the enrollment services center to fill out the proper paper work. I would like to think that my scholarly career shall coming to an end as I join the real world but that is not the case. I plan on taking the Miller Analogies Test and apply to the History Masters program they have here at UT Tyler.

I have been told by many people that it is great that I am planning on going directly into grad school right after I graduate since I will already be in school mode. So the transition will be nice and easy for me. I actually can't wait to start my last semester as a college student.

I will strut the halls like no other. I will stand tall above papers, exams, and the various group projects. Then when December 15th turns it's weary head I will say neigh to the papers! Neigh to exams! Neigh to group projects! For at that moment they will no longer have any power over me. Take that JARETH!!!!!!

Life Cheat #904296: You remind me of the babe. What babe? The babe with the power. What power? The power of Voodoo. Who do? You do! Do what? You remind me of the babe....