Ole Miss Graduates, Walk this Way

Photo courtesy UM Communications

Everything is eventual, especially graduation. Years of education inside and outside the classrooms culminate in a moment: the walk across the stage. That shining moment is a hard-earned celebration of long nights of studying, long hours in class and who knows how many breakdowns about how you’ll never make it out.

But the walk might also seem daunting to some because they’re leaving four-plus years worth of midday naps, late night trips for a chicken on a stick and all the friends you made along the way. Either way, all of the University of Mississippi’s graduates will leave the campus a different person, ready to embark in the career world.

Advice for post-grad life, like education, is invaluable, and we at HottyToddy.com want to share some of the things our staff learned in their first few years outside the comforts of Ole Miss.

Amelia Camurati, editor, said, “There’s no task too small for a newbie in any field. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and do some things that aren’t the most glamorous. No one lands their dream job at 25, but that first job — and the second, and the third — will help you discover who you are and what you want to do with your life if you open yourself up to the experiences.”

Callie Daniels, staff reporter, said, “Mistakes will make a better person out of you. Don’t be afraid to get up after falling because eventually you’ll learn to roll with the punches to keep working hard.”

Mary Frances Stephens, creative director, said, “Research the companies you are applying to, and be prepared for multiple interviews! Doing so will impress your interviewer and allow you to stand out amongst the other applicants.”

Angela Rogalski, staff reporter, said, “If you haven’t already, put together your portfolio of work together and send out those resumes. Use the networks you established earlier with professors and people in your field and show potential employers what you’re capable of by sending out that body of work you collected during your college career.”

Adam Brown, sports writer, said, “Be very aggressive in trying to find something and be willing to work from the ground up. One good thing is to set goals to meet after graduation. Don’t be afraid to try something new. What you thought you wanted to do at 18 probably changed while in college, and it will change with the job search. Everyone fits into a place, it just takes time for that to come about — but don’t give up.”

Ed Meek, publisher, said, “Use the Ole Miss network, it is a powerful force that will support you throughout your career. Attend the local alumni meeting, identify everyone you know from Ole Miss and maintain contact to support them, and for them to support you. Start now looking for a job. Don’t just apply for a dozen positions, write apply for 50 or more, and you will get a job. Be aggressive, expand your reach and follow up with prospective employers regularly. Often, the person who keeps asking, is the person who gets the job…employers know and appreciate initiative!

The advice all comes from University of Mississippi graduates, and we mean every word. Best of luck to you all and remember, one never truly graduates from Ole Miss. We’ll see y’all in the Grove!