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The Real, Real World After SNHU

By Chance Clutter- Contributing Writer

On April 9th, those of us on campus witnessed an incredible event on and around campus. The first ever job fair for the State of New Hampshire (sponsored by WMUR, The State of NH, and SNHU) was held inside the Athletic Complex. With over 140 employers and around 1,500 jobs available, thousands of people from all over New England came for an opportunity to get in front of an employer, make a positive impression, and hopefully secure a new job. As we saw, around 10,000 were allowed into the job fair, but thousands more were stuck on highways or at the mall and never actually made it inside once the fire marshal had to shut it down for safety reasons.

I wonder what you were thinking that Thursday, especially you seniors and juniors? What did you think when you watched the lines growing, wrapping themselves around the soccer field and down to Exeter Hall? Or when you saw on the news, those men and women parking in Hooksett and walking to SNHU just to stand in line for another two hours?  Did you see this as just an excuse to spend the day partying or to catch up on homework since classes were cancelled for so many? Or were you like many of the staff and faculty here on campus that were deeply impacted and humbled by the site of all these thousands of people so desperate for a shot at a job they were willing to endure all of this chaos? Most of us of hear about 'unemployment' numbers or how bad the economy is; on this day, we witnessed it on our own campus. These people were not statistics. They were mothers and fathers…uncles and aunts…grandmothers and grandfathers and they were desperate for work.

Articles during this time of the year are typically written to wish the seniors good luck and to fondly look back on their years at SNHU. In addition, you should look back. Graduation is a tremendous day filled with friends and family and all of your proudest moments and memories. For many of you, the next stage of your life is already set. You have your job or are enrolled in graduate school, and you have taken advantage of all that you could while here at SNHU. For many others, the WMUR job fair was a stark reminder of what may await you after graduation. This is not meant to be a lecture or to depress you. It is meant to serve as one last reminder that while you are still at SNHU, you have the opportunity to take advantage of services all over campus that will prepare you for life outside this university. 

• Have you had your resume checked? 
• Have you practiced interviewing? 
• Have you talked to your favorite professors about being a reference for you or about any connections they may have? 
• Have you contacted employers for informational interviews about their company?
• Have you networked with everyone you know and followed up with their leads?
• Have you talked to SNHU alums about their careers? 

As you read this, your student status will be ending in approximately three weeks. After that, you will officially be unemployed, that’s the ‘real,’ real world, and the line to join is a long one. Ultimately, it’s your career…what have you done lately?