BYUH alumni tell graduates to expect the unexpected during post-college life
As seniors begin their new journeys after graduation, it is important to keep in mind that it is a beginning, said Joshua Christensen, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Sciences and a BYU–Hawaii alumnus. He said life after graduation is different from what students are doing in college. “It’s going to be an adjustment, but it is something that you will adjust to,” he said.
Christensen also said all the experiences students will go through will help them further their career path. He said students should have the mentality that the transition they are about to make is something new. “Give yourself grace and understand it will take time,” he said.
Hyrum Seth Castro, a BYUH alumnus who graduated in 2021, in business, also said seniors should not stop learning and keep experiencinging new things. “This is just the beginning of more adventures,” he said.
Finding a work-life balance
Balancing work and life is tricky, said Christensen. He said most people think it is supposed to be 50/50 all the time. “That’s not the reality,” he said. Sometimes, he said, you have to focus on your family more and less on work. And other times, it’s the other way around, he continued. “As long as you are trying to maintain a balance of separation between work and family, it can be helpful ... Make sure you have dedicated work time and dedicated family time,” Christensen added.
Castro also said you have to find your flow and focus. “When things are going well at home, it positively influences everything else, including your work,” he explained. As long as you have your priorities straight and boundaries up, this can help you balance work and life, Christensen shared.
Annalise Tan, an alumna who graduated in TESOL in Dec. 2023 also said new graduates should not push themselves into overwhelming and unhealthy habits in the workplace. She said she dedicated too much of her time and money to her education to do so. Tan said some people she knows settled for low-paying jobs with overwhelming workloads after graduation because they believe it’s the only option they have. “I understand, you ought to do what you got to do, but you have to set healthy boundaries,” she continued. She also said having the support of family and friends and doing hobbies you enjoy surely helps.
Dealing with uncertainties
Castro said life is full of uncertainties even after graduating from college. He gave an example, sharing, “[My wife and I] still haven’t decided where to settle long term.” His wife is from Hong Kong and he is from the Philippines, he said. “My advice [is to] trust in the Lord, cherish the moment, and prepare for the future,” he continued.
“Uncertainty is okay,” said Tan. She said when it seems like other people have their lives together and you are still figuring out what you are going to do next, “don’t see it in a scary way. Take it as a learning opportunity.”
Tan continued, “You don’t really get over [the uncertainty] until you are already jumping into jobs.” She said having a support system was helpful for her after graduation. She said her fiancé at the time, her family and others who were important in her life were there for her.
It was comforting to know other people were going through the same thing, she shared. “If I can help them get through it, they’ll help me [too],” she continued.
Christensen said the transition from school to the workforce is similar for everyone. “It’s the uncertainty,” he said. He said he had not decided what he was going to do after receiving his associate’s degree at BYUH. “But once I started getting some directions, that was more helpful,” he continued. He said after learning he wanted to pursue psychology, he went to Idaho to finish his bachelor’s in health psychology. “After my undergrad, I went straight to my doctorate,” he shared.
Transitioning to the workforce
Castro said when graduates are transitioning to the workforce they should hold onto their values and stand firm in them. “Once people know what your values are, it becomes easier to live by them at work,” Castro explained.
Getting a college degree doesn’t mean you’re going to get a job, said Christensen. After graduating from graduate school, he said he knew he wanted to stay in academia but was still unsure about where his current steps would take him in the future. He said, “I ended up doing a post-doctorate and that helped me gain experience.” He said this opportunity made him an excellent candidate when he applied for a job at BYUH.
Tan advised, “Don’t see yourself as small and inexperienced... Like an affirmation. You start telling yourself [good things] and you start believing it.” She said when you don’t know what you are doing, do not push it. Instead, she said you should ask questions and be curious.
Job hunting advice
Castro said an advice he can give to graduating seniors about job hunting is they should figure out what they really want to do. He said, “If you have a clear goal, job hunting becomes easier and you will be more motivated to polish your resume.” He also recommended practicing for interviews and reaching out to people.
Christensen also said students should start early and take advantage of the resources they currently have, and Tan talked about internships, research and other activities available on campus. Christensen added going to career fairs, networking events and getting to know peers and professors will help students make connections, which could help them find a job more easily. “Start as early as you can and [realize] the whole purpose of college is to prepare you for a career,” he explained.
What to expect after graduation
“Be ready for the unexpected,” said Christensen. After graduate school, he said he had no intention of pursuing a post-doctoral. “It wasn’t even on the radar until about a month or two before I graduated when I started getting really excited about this new opportunity,” he continued.
Christensen said students can have great plans, but there is no guarantee those plans will always work out. “Try to be ready, be flexible for whatever life brings,” he continued. Castro said life after graduation is full of tests and quizzes. “But in life, it is always an open book and you can always call a friend,” he shared.
A challenge Tan said she faced after college was the fact she was expected to be the professional who had the knowledge. “I still feel like a student. I still feel like everyone’s supposed to be teaching me. I still feel like I can’t have a full opinion because I am not experienced,” she continued.
Tan said her mentor taught her a lesson that continues to help her overcome this challenge. “My mentor told me, ‘You gotta act like it. You studied it. You did the work. Now you have to take what you learned and apply it.’” Seniors might not have experience, but they have the knowledge, she continued.
Life skills
Learning how to manage your time, how to be professional in the workforce, how to write a good email, having a resume and knowing how to talk about yourself in good ways are some skills graduating seniors should work on, said Christensen. He explained, “It’s important to emphasize these skills because you’re going to have job interviews. You’re gonna put your name out there and present yourself as best as you can.”
Tan also said making connections is an important skill students should focus on. She said networking is a professional term for making connections, which makes it seem very strict. “In reality, it is just making and becoming friends and being social with people,” she continued.
Finally, Castro advised, “Pray and ask God, ‘What lack I yet?’ and focus on that.”
Advice from alumni
“Don’t forget to know what you want to specialize in. That is how people will find you.” - Joseph Ariono
“Don’t rush things. Trust the Lord’s timing.” - Mosese Mo’o
“Remember your purpose and find friends who inspire you.” - Brandon Tapan
“Put in the work, but don’t forget the fun.” - Natalie Day
“Follow up and follow through. If you want it, then it’ll be a priority in your life. There is nothing you can’t achieve. You just have to go for it!” - Elliot Mauai
“Believe in yourself. You can do more and be more.” - Ricky Callanta