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College to Career

According to CNBC, for the 2019–2020 academic year, there will be a total of 3,898,000 college graduates in the United States. If you are one of the members of the class of 2020, congratulations! You have accomplished a lot and you should be very proud of yourself. Although the world has changed quite a bit, and what you imagined for your graduation is likely not going to be,  do not worry – things will return to normal, hopefully, one day soon. In the meantime, as you prepare for your career in the business world, there are many things you must keep in mind.

You may be considering which path you would like to take. The good news is that there are many available options, and it is important to do your research. From accounting to finance to marketing or even healthcare, there are so many opportunities to pursue. To hear from some professionals that have found success, visit NASBA’s Today’s CPA page.

Although, you have completed your formal education, it is important to note that you should continue learning. Beyond required certifications and continuing education courses for some career paths, it is important to to stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies and skills  as much as possible. Use this time at home to develop skills that will help you in your work. Find free online webinars or online courses to further your professional knowledge and skill sets.

You may also want to use this time to learn the skills that you will use most often in the workplace, as offices are sure to reopen soon. For example, how to conduct yourself during a meeting. While we work from home, of course, meetings are virtual. This does not mean that there are not do’s and don’ts to be aware of. There are many things that you will want to avoid and some things you will want to make sure to you are cognizant of. You will want to focus on the location you have chosen for the meeting. If at home, be sure that you are not sitting somewhere that is full of distractions to your teammates, such as a messy bedroom or a room with a lot of wall décor. In addition, be sure that wherever you choose to attend the virtual meeting, keeps the noise level at a minimum.

As you start this journey, you are sure to learn much more. The workforce is excited to welcome new grads and the NASBA Center for the Public Trust (CPT)is excited to see what you all will achieve.

-Dina Barabash, NASBA Content Development & Web Specialist