Would you like to be more

prepared for life after graduation?

Utilize this workbook as needed to

learn more about yourself and your
goals for life after college.

Page | 1
Confused? Here’s how to use these resources!

- You are strongly encouraged to review this entire

document before choosing a starting place. There is a
lot of information that you will find useful at one time or
another and you should be familiar with what is
enclosed here.
- This workbook is meant to be used as a check-
in/conversation started with your SSS Coach.
- Start where you need to, jump around to activities and
information you need at that time, and skip what you
may not need.
- At any time, feel free to reach out to your coach to
discuss the contents and your progress.

Page | 2
Table of Contents
Career Preparation and Exploration 4
Where will my major take me after graduation? 4
Job Searching 5
Career Flowsheet 5
7 Keys to a Successful Job Search 6
Importance of LinkedIn 7
Job Searching Tools 7
Job Searching Websites 7
References 8
Graduate School 9
What is Graduate School (Grad School)? 9
Graduate School Application Materials 10
Graduate School Timeline 12
Graduate Records Exam Tips 13
Funding for Graduate School 14
Finances 101 16
Creating and Maintaining a Budget 16
Saving Money 18
Paying off Your Student Loans 18
Your Credit Score 19
Salary Negotiation 20

Page | 3
Career Preparation and Exploration
Where will my major take me after graduation?
Interested in exploring majors? Take a peek at the following website:
https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/majors/

This website will help you learn more about prospective careers in the areas that
you are interested. You will also learn more about the types of employers that
hire in your desired field and strategies to make you more marketable.
We encourage that you search your major and dig into some of the
employment opportunities and find strategies to further yourself in the field.

Explore your career options with the following flowchart:

Page | 4
 Job Searching
Interested in finding more careers? Let’s talk about job searching! Here are
some general resources for you to take advantage of in order to find your
dream career.

General Resources:
https://www.uwrf.edu/CareerServices/HireAFalconLogin.cfm
https://www.careerrookie.com/
http://www.collegegrad.com/
https://www.collegerecruiter.com/
https://www.linkup.com/
https://www.linkedin.com
https://www.uwrf.edu/CareerServices/Students/JobsAndInternships.cfm

Global Resources:
https://www.ciee.org/
https://www.uwrf.edu/CareerServices/JobWorkAbroad.cfm
https://www.uwrf.edu/CareerServices/HireAFalconLogin.cfm

Career

Goal Goal

Action Action
Steps Steps

Updates Updates

Page | 5
7 Keys to a Successful Job Search
1. Keep your resume short and succinct.
Format your resume to be read quickly in small
bits because more often than not resumes are
scanned for just six to ten seconds. Some of the
most helpful tips are to eliminate filler words, use
numbers to quantify results, and include relevant
key words that appeared in the job posting.

2. Create a portfolio of job-search documents.

Many job seekers are supplementing their resumes with collateral leadership
briefs, blogs that establish their robust online professional identity and among
senior-level managers, one-page executive summaries.

3. Consider meeting with Career Services to perfect your video interview skills.
Many employers are now relying on Skype for long-distance and initial
screening interviews. This means that it is crucial for job seekers to excel in
their video presentations.

4. Dive deep into LinkedIn.

LinkedIn has sky-rocketed in the past few years, in fact, some employers rely
on it more heavily than a resume. All job candidates should embrace this tool
to maximize their job searches.

5. Use Twitter and other forms of social media to attract the attention of
employers who are hiring.
Employers have moved from using external recruiters to internal hiring
processes which depend on identifying prospective employees through
various social media networks.

6. Limit the amount of time you spend on job boards.

To maximize your chances for success, use smaller, regional and industry-
specific job boards and websites such as Indeed.com and Simplyhired.com.

7. Start your search sooner rather than later.

Expect to hear no, but do not let it stop your search.

Page | 6
Importance of LinkedIn
LinkedIn may not seem like the most popular social networking site, but it is
crucial in connecting individuals to the professional world. LinkedIn will help
further your career, allow you to get hired, and connect you with Business-to-
Business activities.

LinkedIn is excellent for connecting with professionals. It allows you the chance
to create strong connections between individuals like yourself and people in
your industry who share your interests. It provides the forum to ask questions,
share knowledge, get important insights, gain information about upcoming
events, and participate in discussions.

LinkedIn is the best platform to promote yourself as a professional and is one of

the best places to get hired. LinkedIn is a great way to be found in Google
searches.

Set up your LinkedIn profile today. Follow this link for a video to assist you in the
process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BMPoYosybY 1

Job Searching Tools:

In securing positions, there are several essential tools to utilize. They are the
following:

1. Computers: Computers have become essential in the job search because

many job postings are put online. Having a computer handy will also allow
you to make edits on your resume when necessary and research potential
employers.
2. Email Address: It is important for employers and employees to have
appropriate email addresses because tend to be the main source of
correspondence. Emails need to be professional because it demonstrates
your personal brand.
3. Phone: Many employers use phones to contact potential employees
when screening them for future interviews. Due to this, it is important to
have a phone handy so you can be reached when needed. 2

Job Searching Websites:

www.indeed.com
www.careerbuilder.com
www.linkedin.com
1
http://smartbusinesstrends.com/linkedin-important-professionals-job-seekers/
2
https://www.thebalance.com/top-best-job-websites-2064080

Page | 7
References
Who should serve as a reference?
References should be individuals who know your work style, can attest to your
performance, time management, punctuality, professionalism, and ability to do
work. These references can come from a full-time or part-time job, internships,
volunteer, or other work experiences. Some examples of these references may
be current or former supervisors, faculty members, campus staff, advisers,
coaches, or anyone in a professional position who can speak on your behalf in
a positive way. With this being said, references should not be family, friends, or
peers. Do not choose people who are not well versed on your background and
accomplishments.

Preparing Your References

It is crucial to ask permission from your references BEFORE you use their names.
You must ask if they are willing and able to provide a strong, supportive
recommendation. Make sure to prepare them in advance by sharing your
current resume, cover letter, and the position description. After the selection
process is complete, make sure to thank your references. It is important to
maintain a strong, ongoing, and professional relationship with them.

Important Things to Remember

References may be asked about things other than your performance, skills, and
abilities. They can be asked about things such as your interpersonal skills,
leadership qualities, communication style, conflict resolution skills, decision-
making abilities, and your understanding of the position you are applying for. If
there are inconsistencies between what you say about yourself and what your
reference says, that could eliminate you from the position you are applying for.

Creating a Reference List

Reference lists should be put on the same header as your resume and should
include those who can attest to your abilities in regards to the position that you
are applying for. 3

3
https://icc.ucdavis.edu/materials/references.htm

Page | 8
Graduate School
What is Graduate School (Grad School)?
Graduate school is a division of a university offering advanced programs
beyond the bachelor’s degree. 4

Why Graduate School?

1. Invest in your future
2. Get noticed in today’s job market
3. Get more than a qualification – focus on professional development
4. Pursue your interests more in depth
5. Contribute to the world’s knowledge
6. Work with the best
7. Make connections
8. Increase your financial prospects
9. Get academic recognition
10. Gain an internationally recognizable qualification 5

Master’s Degree vs. PhD – Which is right for you?

What you should consider:

- Time: One must determine the amount of time he/she is willing to spend in
graduate school. A master’s degree normally consists of two years of
school whereas a PhD can consist of 5-6 years of schooling.

- Money: Different programs have varying costs. More often than not, PhDs
are more expensive than a master’s degrees, but students with more
education normally earn more after completing their respective program.
Also, it is important to realize that there are funding options out there.

- Commitment Level: Required: Graduate school is much, much different

than obtaining your undergraduate degree. In order to be successful, you
must dedicate a good portion of your time to studying. If you have
additional responsibilities, graduate school can seem very stressful. Due to
this, you must decide where you want to commit your time and what is
crucial to your lifestyle. 6

4
“Graduate School.” Dictionary.com
5
https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/admissions-advice/10-good-reasons-go-grad-school
6
https://www.collegeatlas.org/masters-or-phd.html

Page | 9
Graduate School Application Materials
APPLICATION: Usually online but can be requested by mail.

APPLICATION FEE OR FEE WAIVER: The appropriate application fee. NOTE: If you
are limited-income or underrepresented, some schools may have a program to
waive this fee, but YOU must seek out the option.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT: Some schools ask for a statement on how you will add to
the diversity of their student body. This can be: gender, race, socio-economic
status, first-generation, sexual orientation, disability, geographical/cultural (for
example, if you were applying to Miami, FL it would be diverse to come from a
Wisconsin background!) and plenty of other categories.

FELLOWSHIP/ASSISTANTSHIP APPLICATION: Some schools automatically consider

you for fellowships and assistantships and you do not have to fill out further
paperwork. Some require you to complete a separate application for funding.

GRADUATE RECORDS EXAM SCORES: Most schools require you to submit a GRE
score.

INTERVIEW: Some schools will require an interview after your application. This
could be in-person, via Skype, or via phone.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Most schools require three letters of

recommendation. Some may require as many as five. Some tips:

- Choose your recommenders wisely! The person should know you well. You
can choose professors or people who know you in the workforce, but I
would suggest at least one professor and if you are applying to a doctoral
program, have someone with a doctorate write a recommendation letter.
- Give at least a month’s notice.
- Ask them in person.
- It is not acceptable to tell them they must write you a good letter. It is
acceptable to give them some structure for their letter:
o “You are the only professor I have worked in a lab with. Can you
talk about my experience in a lab setting?”
o “You are the professor that knows my academic work the best. Can
you write about my academic skillset?”
- Always waive your rights to see the letter! This shows the graduate school
that you trust the person writing the recommendation!
- Make sure to give the person writing the recommendation all the
materials they might need: how to submit, resume, abstract of research,
personal statement, etc.

Page | 10
 - Don’t forget to follow-up! Tell them where you are going for graduate
school. They want to know!

PERSONAL STATEMENT/STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Although they will call it by

different names, each school will require an admissions essay. Some tips:

- If there is not a page limit, do not go over two pages, double spaced.
- The most important aspect is “fit.” How do you “fit” with the school?
- Faculty interest – describe how you are interested in working with that
school’s faculty.
- Location – why is this location the right one for you?
- Type of program (applied, research, built for working individuals, built for
individuals to focus on classes, etc).
o Example structure:
 Paragraph #1: Introduction. State clearly what program you
are applying to and why you are a good fit. State what your
ultimate career goal is.
 Paragraphs #2-5: Research experience, working experience,
academic experience, personal qualities.
 Paragraph #6: Re-state fit.
 NOTE: Paragraphs #2-5 can be relevantly the same for every
program, but #1 and #6 should be rewritten for each school!
- If needed, this can be a place to address faults and put a positive spin on
your academic obstacles:
o Low GPA? “Although I had a difficult transition to college life, my
GPA is a 3.5 in the last two years of my academics.”
o Low GRE? “My qualitative GRE scores do not reflect my potential for
mathematics. In all my math classes, I received an A- or higher.”

RESUME/CURRICULUM VITAE: Don’t forget anything! List your honors, research

projects (even class projects), clubs/organizations, volunteering, and work
experience.
- A resume is a short, concise document of your experience (typically 1-2
pages)
- A “C.V.” is an academic, longer document of your experience (does not
have a page limit as long as the information is relevant).
TRANSCRIPTS: Make sure you know if you need official or unofficial transcripts.
Official transcripts MUST be mailed from the school. Many schools also require
that you obtain transcripts from every college you have attended (this includes
community colleges and colleges where you took a dual-credit class in high

Page | 11
school). Also make sure you send the right number of copies. Sometimes they
request two or three copies.
WRITING SAMPLE/RESEARCH SAMPLE: Some schools will require a sample of an
abstract or research paper to show your research skillsets. This varies widely
depending on the school.

Graduate School Timeline

*This assumes you will graduate in May and will attend graduate school in the
following Fall Semester. *

DATE ACTIVITY

Right now Explore graduate programs and find out what

application materials you might need; study for the
GRE; draft application materials including personal
statement and resume.

As soon as possible Take the Graduate Records Exam. It takes at least

two weeks to score the essay section of the test
and give two weeks to mail to schools. Take AT
LEAST a month before the first deadline is due.

September-October Ask recommenders if they will write letters of

recommendations for you. If they say yes, tell them
you will get them materials and information later.
Continue drafting materials.

October Apply to NSF or other national fellowships.

October-November Give recommenders instructions and materials.

Continue drafting materials.

December-January Doctoral applications due.

January-February Masters applications due.

February-May Interviews scheduled; hear back about

acceptance; hear back about funding

Page | 12
Graduate Records Exam Tips
THE BASICS

- Your score lasts five years.

- If limited-income (receiving the Pell Grant is one indication of income
status), you can get a reduced testing fee (work with financial aid). AND
as part of SSS, you can get a 50% fee reduction.
- Three sections: Verbal (130-170 Score), Quantitative (130-170 Score), and
Essays (0-6 Score). On graduate school websites, you may see a required,
recommended, or average score for the test number and for percentile.
170 Score/97 Percentile, 150 Score/43 Percentile for Quantitative.
GETTING STARTED

- Find others that are studying for the GRE.

- Consider a test book or test prep website (see below). For free options,
consider online, phone apps, or podcasts.
- Take a practice test (recommend Kaplan or Magoosh, but ETS will work
and is free).
- SSS offers nearly 50% partner payment plan for test prep – see your coach
for more information!
TEST DAY

- Bring your identification and paperwork. NOTE: You cannot bring anything
into the room except yourself and your identification. Calculators are on
the computer. Scratch paper is provided.
- Use your free score submissions! You will get a chance at the end of the
test to see your score. Afterwards, you will be given the option to send to
four schools of your choice. USE THIS. If you do not use it that day, it costs
$25 per test score mailed to a school. You do not have to have applied to
a school to send the score.
RESOURCES

- UWRF offers testing options via the Continuing Education office

(https://www.uwrf.edu/ContinuingEducation/)
- Educational Testing Service (ETS): http://www.ets.org/
- Kaplan GRE Book (recommended paperback book that includes online
practice tests). Around $25. https://www.amazon.com/GRE-Prep-Plus-
2018-
Strategies/dp/1506219837/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500318757&
sr=1-1&keywords=kaplan+gre

Page | 13
 - Magoosh Online Test Prep
o $130 for 1-month. $150 for 6-months.
o https://magoosh.com
o Percentile Chart: https://magoosh.com/gre/2013/gre-score-
percentiles/

Funding for Graduate School

Funding Terms
Assistantship: Funding for graduate school that requires a type of work on your
part (generally 20 hours/week). It will generally include tuition (in-state and out-
of-state), a stipend that will be given to you the same as a paycheck (typically
around $10,000-$15,000/year), and health insurance. The different types include:

- Teaching Assistantship: You will be asked to grade papers for a professor,

to teach a lab section, or to teach a class yourself.
- Research Assistantship: You will be asked to assist a professor with
research.
- Graduate/General Assistantship: You will be asked to do a variety of tasks.
This could be office work in the department. TIP: There are many graduate
assistantships OUTSIDE the department, at the university level. You could
apply to a financial aid, business services, multicultural services, disability,
TRIO, or other campus office and these assistantships typically award
tuition and stipends as well.

Fellowship: Funding for grad school that requires you uphold grades or research
but is otherwise “free.” It will generally include tuition (in-state and out-of-state),
a stipend that will be given to you the same as a paycheck (typically around
$10,000-$15,000/year), and health insurance.
Grant: “Free” funding to graduate school.

National Funding: Assistantships, fellowships, grants, and scholarships that you

apply to on a national level. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has a
graduate fellowship. If awarded, you can take this money to ANY school.
Scholarship: “Free” funding to graduate school.

Where to Find Funding

Department: The most common place to find funding is at the department level
(for example: the English dept., Biology dept., etc.).
University: University funding includes scholarships, grants, and assistantships.

Page | 14
State: There might be grants at the state level (health care is the most common
for this).

National: There are national fellowships, but the deadlines are early (usually in
the summer through October). This is most common in the sciences.

Page | 15
Finances 101
Creating and Maintaining a Budget

Why Keep a Budget?

Creating a budget is the only true way to know what you can and can’t afford.
It will allow you to set goals for yourself and consider/negotiate different job
offers. By making good financial decisions now, you can set yourself up for a
bright future. This is one of the best things you can do for yourself after (or even
before) graduating college.

Steps to Create a Budget:

1. Determine your monthly income
a. Your income is the money that you bring in each month (after taxes).
b. This is the money you will use to pay bills, go to movies, and buy your
partner a birthday gift.
2. Add up your monthly expenses
a. Identify your fixed, variable, and irregular expenses.
i. Fixed expenses are purchases that cost the same each month.
Examples of fixed expenses include: rent, internet bill, and car
payment.
ii. Variable expenses are purchases that are different each month.
Examples of variable expenses include: groceries, gas, and
entertainment.
iii. Irregular expenses are purchases that don’t occur monthly.
Many bills, such as car insurance, renter’s insurance, and utility
bills are charged every 6 months. You will need to account for
these expenses in advance so you are able to pay them when
they come due.
b. Set financial goals
i. If you want to save a certain amount each month, write it into
your budget.
ii. Put that money aside each month into a savings account or
other investment.
c. Create a budget that is relevant to you and make changes as your life
changes. This should be a living document. You can find a sample
budget created by SSS staff here. Feel free to save this document as
your own and edit as you’d like.
3. Track your spending

Page | 16
a. The amount of money you spend each month should always be equal
to or less than your monthly income. This is how you can ensure you are
not making purchases that you cannot afford.
b. Limit your monthly spending to the amount you’ve set in each
spending category.
c. There are many ways people choose to track monthly spending. Here
are a few:
i. Keep your receipts: keep receipts from all purchases and add
them up to make sure you aren’t overspending.
ii. Spreadsheet: add a column next to your budget and add to it
each time you make a purchase in that category.
iii. Connect your banking and credit card accounts to an online
app that will help you track monthly spending.
1. Oftentimes your bank or credit card has their own secure
app to use.
2. Before doing this, make sure the app is reputable. One
popular and free option is Mint.

Page | 17
Saving Money

Emergency Fund
Many financial experts recommend building up an emergency fund that would
cover at least 3 months of expenses, in case you were to lose your job or have
an unexpected emergency. It may take you a while to build up this fund, but it is
very important. Try to build this up each month until you reach your target
number.

Retirement
Many financial experts recommend saving 15% of your income towards
retirement. This can be done in many different ways. When negotiating a job
offer, be sure to ask about their retirement options.

Company Matching: If your company offers matching, take full advantage of it!
Here is an example of how this works: if your company matches up to 4% of your
salary in retirement contributions, that means if you contribute 4% yourself, your
total contribution will be 8% (if you contribute 3%, your total contribution will be
6% as matched by your company. Always contribute, at least whatever your
company will match, otherwise you are missing out on free money!

Usually these funds can only be withdrawn when it comes time for retirement. If
withdrawn earlier, you will pay a penalty.

Other Savings Goals

Have other things you want to save for? Write it into your monthly budget and
put a certain amount away (in an interest-accruing savings account) each
month.

Paying off Your Student Loans

Grad Ready (Free Resource Provided by UWRF)

Wondering how you’re going to pay back your school loans? Take advantage
of this free resource provided by UWRF:
https://gradready.com/gradready/sponsor/uwrf

Page | 18
Here some other tips for paying off your college debt in a
timely manner:
1. Make Bi-Weekly Payments
a. This will allow less interest to accumulate and could shave off several
months of payments
2. Round Up the Payments
a. A little extra goes a long way. Over time it adds up to be a significant
amount, which will save you money on interest and will shorten the
time of your loan.
3. Find Extra Money
a. If you have a job that pays an extra sum of money every month, put
that towards your loan. Even if it is a small amount, it will add up over
time.
4. Make One Extra Payment
a. If you choose not to commit to bi-weekly payments and limit yourself to
monthly payments, it is suggested that you make extra payments as
permitted because it will decrease the amount of future payments
that you have to make.
5. Refinance Your Loan
a. This is where you are able to lower your payment, save interest, and
pay off your loan in half the time. Meet with your local banks, credit
unions, or loan providers to work with them to refinance your loan and
get a better interest rate.
6. Take Advantage of Paperless
a. Sometimes discounts are offered when you sign up for automatic
payments. Inquire about this with your loan provider. Online billing can
be much easier than paper billing, which can save you time in a
general sense.
7. Just note, it is so beneficial to pay off any loan early because you will not
have to worry about it in the future. The sooner it is paid off, the less interest
you will have to pay and the shorter loan period you will have. 7

Your Credit Score

What is a Credit Score?

Your credit score is a number that represents your credit risk to banks and
businesses. A low score usually means you are less likely to secure a loan,
apartment, etc., while a higher score usually makes it more likely.

7
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/carrie-smith/top-6-ways-to-pay-off-any-loan-faster_b_1624242.html

Page | 19
How to Build Your Credit Score
- Apply for a credit card
o Make 100% of your payments on time
o Don’t exceed 30% of your credit limit in spending
o Don’t open too many accounts at once
o Keep your account open
- Check your credit score with a reputable source once a year

Salary Negotiation

What are salary negotiations?

A salary negotiation involved discussing a job offer with a prospective employer
to negotiate a salary and benefits package that is in line with the market. These
negotiations include all aspects of compensation which includes, but is not
limited to salary, bonuses, benefits, and vacation time.

Tips for Salary Negotiation:

1. Wait for the appropriate time.
Once you know what you should be earning. You must be patient. When
interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring it up
compensation until the employer makes you an offer.
2. Resist throwing out the first number.
If you are asked what your salary requirements are, tell your interviewer
that they are open based upon the position and compensation package
that comes along with it or let the employer know that you’d like to know
more about the challenges of the position before discussing salary.
3. Base your salary request on data.
If you are forced to share a number, provide a salary range that you have
done research for to know what is appropriate for the role and what you
need.
4. Take your time.
Once you’ve received your offer, you don’t need to accept or reject it
right away.
5. Consider saying no.
Sometimes no can bring you a better offer.
6. But don’t decline a job that you want or need.
Be careful when you negotiate, if you need the new job do not take a risk.
7. Negotiate benefits.
Consider whether the benefits are negotiable, even if the salary isn’t.
Page | 20
Tips for Raise Negotiation:
1. Prepare.
If you are currently employed and want a raise, start by being prepared.
Gather your salary information, performance appraisals, and any other
relevant information.
2. Have a clear idea of what you want.
Determine the salary range that you are looking for and the justification
for the increase and have it ready to review with your supervisor.
3. Be flexible.
Consider if you’d want something else instead of a raise, such as more
vacation time or better benefits.
4. Request a meeting with your supervisor to discuss salary.
Don’t ask for an immediate answer. 8

8
https://www.thebalance.com/salary-negotiation-tips-how-to-get-a-better-offer-2063439

Page | 21