We are about halfway through the fall 2026 semester, and for many seniors, graduation feels right around the corner. It’s easy to feel pressure to have those next steps figured out, especially when it seems like everyone else already has a plan. But there is still time to build skills, make connections, and explore new opportunities.
Starting something new during your final year can feel intimidating. You might wonder whether joining an organization, reaching out to an alum, or exploring a different career path is worth it this close to graduation. However, these experiences can help you learn about yourself and what you want next. You don’t need to have everything figured out to get started.
Join Professional Clubs and Organizations
If you’ve been interested in a professional club or fraternity but haven’t taken the first step, senior year can still be a good time to explore it. Many organizations welcome juniors and seniors, whose experiences and perspectives can enrich the group. Check membership requirements and recruitment timelines to see what is available.
Even if membership doesn’t work out, attending an open event or participating in recruitment can introduce you to students with similar career interests. These connections can offer support, fresh perspectives, and opportunities to learn from one another as you prepare for life after Chapman.
Build and Maintain Professional Connections
Reaching out to industry professionals, alumni, or classmates who are already working in fields that interest you can feel intimidating. Start with curiosity. Networking is an opportunity to learn about someone’s work, hear their story, and better understand a career path.
After meeting someone at an event, ask for their preferred way to stay in touch, then send a brief follow-up message that mentions something you discussed. If you want to learn more, ask whether they would be open to a short informational conversation. A simple question like “What helped you get started in your field?” can lead to useful advice.
Your professors can also be valuable connections. Visit office hours, share your interests, and ask about possible paths or resources. You don’t need a specific job in mind to begin these conversations.
Build Skills Before Graduation
As you plan your final semester, think about skills you would like to strengthen or subjects you have wanted to explore. If your schedule and budget allow, consider a course within your major, outside your department, or in an area that has always interested you.
A full course isn’t the only option. Workshops, short training opportunities, volunteer experiences, and personal projects can also help you develop skills. You might create a writing portfolio, practice using a new design tool, or help a student organization promote an event.
Choose something that interests you and gives you a chance to practice. Even a small project can help you discover what you enjoy and give you an experience to discuss in a future interview.
Meet With Your Career Advisor
You don’t need a polished resume or a clear career plan to meet with your career advisor. An appointment can be a starting point, whether you are exploring options, considering graduate school, looking for an internship, or preparing to apply for jobs.
Your advisor can help you identify your strengths, connect your experiences to potential careers, strengthen your application materials, and develop a manageable search strategy. You can also return as your interests evolve, or new questions arise.
For Wilkinson College students, connect with Erin Berthon by emailing berthon@chapman.edu to schedule an appointment.
Start With One Step
Senior year can come with uncertainty, but it also offers time to explore, practice, and connect. You haven’t missed your chance because you are starting now, and you don’t need to fit every opportunity into your final semesters.
Choose one step you can take this week: schedule an advising appointment, reach out to an alum, attend a club meeting, or explore a skill you want to develop. You don’t need to figure everything out today. Give yourself permission to begin.
