You’re finally done… almost.
Graduation is the one thing that every post-secondary student eagerly waits for. And as the days get closer, you get wrapped up in uploading assignments, emailing professors and accessing every last document on the student portal.
Then suddenly, your Blackboard is deactivated, professors become harder to reach and you’re expected to move forward with or without a plan.
So before you lose access, let’s walk through a checklist to help you leave campus fully prepared.
1. Lock in the strong references while you can
Asking your professors for references before graduation is perfect because they remember your work, have access to your grades and are much easier to reach now than later.
A few months from now, your name might not immediately click for them.
What you can do:
- Reach out to your professors with whom you had strong relationships.
- Include a short message reminding them of your work (course, project or grade).
- Attach your resume and career goals so they can personalize the letter.
And don’t be afraid to go beyond the letter:
- Ask if they’re open to being a future reference for calls or emails.
- Request a LinkedIn recommendation.
- Save their personal email if they’re willing to share it.
2. Back up all your academic progress
Your access to the student portal is temporary, but the work you’ve done over the years isn’t.
Many students underestimate how often they’ll need their past projects. Whether it’s for job interviews, portfolio building or even further education, your academic work is your ultimate resource.
Make sure to download your transcripts, tuition and fee receipts, group projects and research-based assignments.
Pro tip: Don’t dump everything into one folder. Maintain a system that fits you and title your files like “Writing samples,” “Certifications & Proof of Payment,” “Research papers,” etc.
Avoid “Final_v3_REALFINALPLEASE.pdf” as much as possible — you won’t remember what that’s about.
3. Turn your coursework into career assets
A big mistake students often make is forgetting about their assignments as soon as they submit them.
Backup all the coursework you did and redefine your role in the assignment. Your coursework is the perfect way to reflect your skills in your resume for future opportunities.
For example, if you completed a marketing project, you can write:
“Developed a digital marketing strategy targeting Gen Z consumers, increasing engagement by 35% through content optimization.”
That sounds so much better.
Do this as soon as possible, because your experiences are still fresh in your mind. You recall all the details, the challenges you faced and overcame and your contributions to the group.
4. Make use of all the career services
As a Humber Polytechnic or University of Guelph-Humber student, you have access to many career services and resources. From assistance with resumes to setting up mock interviews, these services are there for you so you can feel job-ready for when the time comes.
Make use of all the services before graduating and optimize your resume to its absolute perfection.
5. Build a digital presence
Recruiters often search for your name online when you interview with them. A good way to stand out is to make sure you like what they’ll find.
Start with LinkedIn. Add an appropriate description, set up a professional headshot, upload your projects and achievements and ensure that you’re building your credibility.
A professional digital presence can make you stand out and also help you network with the right professionals.
6. Proof of every achievement
It’s easy to assume that you wouldn’t need to prove anything…until you do. To avoid the stress when the time actually comes, make sure to have a folder dedicated to your achievements.
This can include:
- Internship contract documents.
- Volunteering certifications.
- Dean’s list certifications.
- Awards and recognitions.
- Scholarship grant documents.
- Letters of recommendation.
These documents can later help you with job applications, visa processes, background checks, further education and more.
7. Create a system before things get chaotic
Now that you have all the documents, the real task is to avoid getting it chaotic. PDFs upon PDFs, emails after emails, it’s easy for your desktop to become a large blur.
To avoid this blur, start organizing early. Create a system that works for you.
- Start an Excel sheet to keep track of job applications.
- Make a general cover letter and resume template to use.
- Maintain a calendar to mark important dates, such as interview timings and application deadlines.
- Organize your documents and maintain a filing system.
Doing this will help the transition after graduation feel less overwhelming and more exciting.
8. Do a final digital clean-up
Before leaving the post-secondary life and stepping into the professional world, take a moment to review your online presence.
Reflect and make sure to:
- Archive or remove content that doesn’t reflect who you are now.
- Update bios across platforms.
- Ensure consistency in how you present yourself.
- Avoid using unprofessional and inappropriate emails or usernames.
Finally done
Graduation is stepping into a space where you’re more independent and also more responsible for managing your own opportunities. Taking the extra hours now to prepare will save you weeks’ worth of stress later.
So before you log out one last time, make sure you are leaving with everything you will actually need.
Feature courtesy of Joshua Hoehne via Unsplash.
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