Before You Graduate: 8 Things Every College Senior Should Do
Updated September 16, 2026 · Samantha Deutschman
Originally published October 27, 2023
At Katapult Network, we know people are more than a resume — and jobs are more than a list of responsibilities.
We take a human-centered approach to recruiting, helping recent college graduates connect with entry-level professional opportunities while helping employers build their future talent pipeline. When hiring early-career talent, that often means looking beyond what's written on the page.
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Graduating from college is exciting, but it can also come with a lot of uncertainty.
One minute you're focused on finishing classes, and the next you're expected to figure out where you'll live, what kind of job you want, how to interview, and what comes next.
You don't need to have your entire career mapped out before graduation. But there are a few things you can do now to make the transition into professional life a lot smoother.
1 | Take Stock of What You've Accomplished
Before jumping straight into the job search, spend some time thinking about what you've learned during college.
Consider your:
Internships
Part-time jobs
Campus involvement
Volunteer experience
Class projects
Leadership roles
Technical and interpersonal skills
You may have more professional experience than you realize.
Think about specific examples of times you solved a problem, worked on a team, managed a deadline, handled conflict, or took initiative. Those stories can become valuable examples for your resume and future interviews.
2 | Refresh Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Don't wait until you find the perfect job posting to update your resume.
Make sure it includes your latest experience, accomplishments, skills, internships, and anticipated graduation date.
Then take a look at your LinkedIn profile.
At a minimum, make sure you have:
A professional photo
A clear headline
Updated education and experience
Relevant skills
A short summary about what you're interested in
LinkedIn can also be a great place to follow companies, learn more about industries, connect with alumni, and start building your professional network before graduation.
3 | Use the Resources You Already Have
Your college likely offers career resources that become much harder to access once you leave campus.
Take advantage of them while you can.
Career services may be able to help with:
Resume reviews
Mock interviews
Career fairs
Employer introductions
Job-search strategy
Alumni connections
Salary and offer questions
Professors, advisors, internship supervisors, and alumni can also be valuable resources.
You don't need to ask everyone for a job. Sometimes a short conversation about their career path or industry is enough to give you direction and expand your network.
4 | Practice Talking About Yourself
Interviews can feel uncomfortable when you're new to them — especially questions like:
"Tell me about yourself."
"Why are you interested in this role?"
"What are your strengths?"
"What experience do you have?"
The good news is that interviewing gets easier with practice.
Spend time learning how to explain your experience clearly and confidently. Practice using real examples from school, internships, work, athletics, volunteer roles, or student organizations.
You don't need years of professional experience to have strong interview answers.
5 | Start Your Job Search Before Graduation
You don't have to wait until you have your diploma in hand to begin applying.
Starting early gives you time to explore different positions, learn what employers are looking for, improve your application materials, and figure out which opportunities actually interest you.
And don't panic if you don't get an offer right away.
Job searches take time, and rejection is a normal part of the process. Focus on consistency instead of trying to apply to dozens of jobs in one sitting.
A thoughtful, targeted application will usually serve you better than applying everywhere without a plan.
6 | Keep an Open Mind About Your First Job
Your first job does not have to be your forever job.
It also may not have the exact title, salary, industry, or responsibilities you originally pictured.
That's okay.
Early in your career, look for opportunities where you can:
Build transferable skills
Learn from strong managers
Take on responsibility
Gain professional experience
Understand what you enjoy — and what you don't
Your first role is a starting point, not a final destination and an opportunity to gain valuable professional experiences.
7 | Plan for Life After Campus
The career transition isn't the only change that comes with graduation.
You may also be thinking about:
Where you'll live
Moving back home
Transportation
Health insurance
Student loan payments
Creating a budget
Building a new routine
Relocating for a job
You don't need every detail figured out immediately, but thinking through the logistics ahead of time can reduce some of the stress that comes with graduation.
8 | Enjoy the Milestone
Preparing for what's next is important, but so is recognizing what you've already accomplished.
Graduating from college is a major milestone!
Take pictures. Celebrate with your friends and family. Enjoy your final weeks on campus. Give yourself some credit for everything it took to get here.
Your career will unfold over time — you don't need to have every answer on graduation day.
What's Next?
The transition from college to the professional world can feel overwhelming, but small steps now can make a big difference later.
Update your resume. Make a few connections. Practice interviewing. Explore opportunities. Ask questions.
Most importantly, stay open to where your career might take you.
You don't need to know exactly what you're going to do for the next 30 years. You just need to figure out your next step.
Looking for help getting your career started? Katapult Network works with recent college graduates looking for entry-level professional opportunities.