The Year-End: Reflecting Back, Looking Forward, & Running Away

How has another year already come and gone?

I've mentioned in past posts that I often identify with old people. Usually this is in comical reference to my knitting habit or love for naps and warm weather, but this sentiment has never been more true than at times like these, where I start to feel so, so old. In a year's time, I'll have to say goodbye to this blog, to the Career Center, and to Tufts - but how can this be true if I just got here yesterday?

Before Sarah McLaughlin starts playing in the background, I'll drop the sappy tone and replace it with an optimistic one. My final post last year was very much a "year in review" - I talked about the strides I'd made professionally and personally, the topics I'd covered in my blog posts, and so on. This time around, I think I'll look to the future instead of the past (TBD for next year's finale post - it'll probably just be lots of overemotional professions of love for the Career Center's fridge).

I'll start with my summer plans, which I know you've all been anxiously awaiting to hear. I'm thrilled to be working in the Starks Lab for the second summer in a row, this time as a fully-funded Tufts Summer Scholar. I'll be conducting a study that investigates paper wasps as cryptic vectors of disease in grapes - a project that has great biological, ecological, and economic importance. I'm so excited to be sticking around Tufts this summer, and to be pursuing my passion for scientific research. I'll also be preparing for, and hopefully taking, a certain four-letter standardized test that rhymes with shmem-cat; I'm less excited for that, but it'll be a great learning experience.

And now onto the big thing: senior year. It looms before me like a terrifying wave of emotions - from excitement to melancholy to nostalgia to complete confusion (the last one is basically my normal mental state at this point, so at least there's some familiar territory). I'm excited about a lot of things - reuniting with friends currently abroad, rounding out my time at Tufts, and making every moment count. But, with senior year comes the dreaded post-college planning. After years of blogging about it, it's time to put my money where my mouth is and figure out what I'm doing after the cap is thrown.

Don't worry - I have a few ideas. One route that I'm very seriously pursuing is time abroad, whether it's to earn a master's degree, teach English in another country, join up with the Peace Corps, or something I haven't even thought of yet. Everything is still in the very early planning stages, but going abroad is something I've always wanted to do, and not doing so while in college has come to be one of my biggest regrets. There will surely be more posts to follow on this subject!

I'm also considering my local options. One of the greatest parts about going to Tufts, in my opinion, is the easy access to Boston and all of its perks. For me, these perks include Boston's world-renowned medical-industrial complex, which boasts job after job for someone looking for experience in the sciences. While going abroad is definitely on my priority list, I'm also strongly considering working in the city for a year or two before transitioning into grad school. There are a lot of pros for this route: it'd definitely be a smoother transition into the post-college world, I'd be close to family and friends in the area, and it'll make applying to American graduate programs much easier (I'm not sure that I'm prepared to apply to med school from the other side of an ocean). I'd also be able to chip away at my student loans, and save up for the next crippling wave of debt once I start school again.

Overall, there's a lot to which I'm looking forward, and a lot from which I'd rather run. It's certainly been a roller-coaster ride so far, and as I lurch upwards in preparation for one final loop-de-loop, I'm feeling lots of things. For now, I'm excited to be staying on with the Career Center, again as both a blogger and a Career Fellow, and to be keeping you all updated on my trials, tribulations, and awkward social interactions for one more year. Stay tuned for posts, gifs, well-timed Friends references, and the gripping conclusion to a story now two years in the making.

Until next time,
Sean Boyden
Class of 2017

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Self Check-in: What Is My Life

With the second semester of my junior year well underway, the time has come to start my search for post-graduation plans in earnest. This is something I've alluded to often in my recent posts, probably because it's on my mind often, and while I certainly think about this all the time, I still have only a vague idea of what I want to do. With midterm season upon us, I rarely have time nowadays to think about something this long-term, so I'm forcing myself, in writing this post, to lay out all my options, think through my plans, and maybe (but let's be real, probably not) come that much closer to a real decision. While this certainly benefits me, I hope that this "thought map"-esque post will help my fellow juniors who are also undecided on their plans for summer 2017 and beyond - or at least reassure them that there are people who are even less prepared than they are.

When I think of life after Tufts, I see two major paths that I could follow. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses, and they appeal to different parts of my personality, which doesn't exactly make the decision easy. But what are these paths?

Get it? Ha. haha.

The first one, most obvious and also most intimidating, is graduate school. No matter how my career leanings have fluctuated over the years (see any post of mine from last year to verify this), they all seem to involve a graduate program or some higher-level training. Whether it's med school, vet school, an MPH program, some combination of these, or something completely different, odds are my years as a student are far from over. This is the likely situation that many of my peers find themselves in - today, it seems like almost any career field has some form of post-bachelor's education to increase expertise. After researching many different programs, the biggest lesson I've learned about grad school is that you should define a career goal first, and then apply to a graduate program that will best facilitate your achievement of that goal. This is something that I struggled with for a long time, and I'm willing to bet I'm not alone on this one. We so often focus on the next part of our education or career development that we lose sight of the long-term goal, and we might not even realize that these two visions no longer align. Regardless of your career field, graduate school should be a consideration for any junior (although it is by no means required for everyone).

File this under "things I think everyday."

The other path is to get a short-term job or fellowship immediately after graduation, and follow that path wherever it leads, be it to a long-term career or eventual graduate school. This path definitely appeals to me personally. I want to at least partially pay off my student loan debt before taking on even more, and putting off graduate school will not only allow me to experience life as a non-student, but could improve my chances of getting into a good program (prior working experience is a big draw for some admissions committees). This is an increasingly common route taken by Tufts students; recent data collected by the Career Center indicates that 16-20% of Jumbos go directly into grad school, and of those that do not, 77% intend to enroll within three years of graduation.

At the same time, however, I fear that if I enter the workforce right away, I'll be too tempted by a steady income and a more stable schedule to want to return to the life of a full-time student. (Although, I'm sure if you ask any professional, they'll tell you that working life makes school life look like heaven.) A job or fellowship might also offer an opportunity for travel or long-term stay in another country, which is a big draw for me. As someone who won't be going abroad in college, I want to explore more of the world before chaining myself to another school for several years. But, supporters of the immediate-graduate-school-entry plan often say that they don't want to put off their career - they want to get into the field as early as possible, and that means getting through grad school as early as possible. I totally understand this, and sometimes feel like it's due to the term "gap year" that's been used to describe the time between undergraduate and graduate school. It has a negative connotation, implying that nothing really gets done in this time - it's just a gap. I've come to use the term growth year, which I think is not only more pleasant-sounding, but more accurate. There are some things that you learn in the working world or through travel that just cannot be taught in the classroom.

I hate to use the same gif in two consecutive posts, but this is just too relevant not to include.

As you can see by my vacillation, the decision between these two major camps is a tough one for me, one that cannot be solved with a single blog post. We haven't even begun to parse out the various smaller paths within each of these categories (master's vs. doctoral programs, jobs vs. fellowships vs. rotational programs, etc.). But, laying out the pros and cons of each plan has given me a lot to think about, and has hopefully done the same for you. By starting to churn these thoughts, we can all get a jump-start on the post-graduation plan. But first, I'm off to study for midterms.

Until next time,
Sean Boyden
Class of 2017

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Bridging the Gap Year - Finding Opportunities

Happy Friday, readers!

If you remember one of the first posts I made on this blog, you might recall that I had a bit of a crisis last semester. You see, I couldn't quite decide what I'd be doing after graduation. I found myself at a metaphorical crossroad. My first option was to go straight on to law school - a goal I've had for over ten years now. The second option, and the one that gave me the most turmoil, was to take a gap year in order to gain experience.

Why was it such a difficult decision? To condense my earlier post: I had a ton of preconceived notions that made me afraid of taking a gap year. It was thanks to the guidance of mentors and peers that I was able to reconcile my fears. Eventually, I  realized that taking a gap year was actually the best choice I could possibly make. A wise decision, but not an easy one.

How I felt the second I realized that I had to find a job now.
Source

Since then, I've been arduously working to create a solid game plan. I was in a bit of a panic at first, not gonna lie. Until last October, I was positive that my post-grad plans were straightforward. I would apply to law school that fall, hopefully be accepted somewhere in the spring, and start the following September. Compared to my peers who weren't going to grad school, I felt like I had it all together. No stressful job search for me! See you all in 3 years, suckers!

So much for that.

Now that I'm taking time off, I need to find fulfilling one-year employment opportunities. One of the most important things about taking a gap year is that you come away with useful knowledge. Since I do still want to go to law school, I'm looking for opportunities that might grant me some insight that will be helpful in the classroom. Having that experience will also make me a better candidate for getting into law school in the first place.

I fantasize about having this conversation one day. [Source]

The question remains: how exactly do you find these opportunities? I've drawn up a list of great online resources for your viewing pleasure:

Spotlight on Careers - Spotlight on Careers is a wonderful job search resource in general, but there's also a section dedicated specifically to the gap year experience. Spotlight offers tips on how to find opportunities

Careers A-Z - If you know what field(s) you're interested in, I highly suggest taking a look at Careers A-Z. It's essentially a directory that the Career Center put together to make your life easier. When you click on a field (for example, arts) you'll be taken to a list of resources that's been tailored specifically for that field. Definitely a time-saver!

Backdoor Jobs Funky name aside, this website is actually a useful resource for anyone who wants to do something more unconventional with their gap year. If you're the outdoorsy type, Backdoor Jobs offers unique opportunities in places like national parks and farms. This site is great if you want to spend your gap year getting your hands dirty.

Fellowships - Most of these deadlines have passed, so this link might be best for juniors thinking ahead. A fellowship is similar to an internship, but it often includes a stipend via grant. Fellowships are an excellent way to get some first-hand experience in a field you're interested in. Some fellowships even include support for housing.

TIP [Tufts Internship Profiles] In a similar vein, you can look for (hopefully paid) internships that will advance your career development. TIP is a list of internship profiles from Tufts students who have successfully taken part in summer internships. This is a great way get ideas and to see where Tufts students interned.

Career Advisory Network [CAN] - Finally, if you're looking to conduct informational interviews with people in your desired field, Tufts CAN is the place you want to look. This is a network of Tufts alums who willingly volunteered to give advice to fellow Jumbos. So you don't have to awkwardly wonder if they'll even want to talk to you - they wouldn't be in the network if they didn't want to help! So search up some alums and email away.

Hopefully I've given you all a toolbox that will serve you well as you figure out what you'll be doing with your life for the next year. I'll be holding out hope that we will all successfully survive the gap.

Signing off,

Kelly F. Vieira

Class of 2015

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To Gap Year or Not to Gap Year?

Salutations readers,

So for the past two weeks I've been having a crisis. No biggie. At this point in my life, I have a mini crisis every few days to be honest. That in itself isn't the problem. The actual dilemma is more pressing than my usual worries, like whether I'm getting too old to be excited about Halloween (Answer: No - 34 days left!).

My real problem: deciding whether I should take a gap year between graduating from Tufts and going to law school.

To give you some context, up until about 3 months ago the very idea of a gap year was completely out of the question. Despite being told over and over that it was a great thing, I'd convinced myself that it wasn't for me. I didn't need a break. I'd been in school for 16 years, and I'd been doing fine! Mostly. I'm not someone who burned out completely by junior year. I actually like school.

I'm the Hermione Granger type, you see.

Besides, weren't there so many downsides to taking a gap year? I'd heard all the stories. What if time in the "real world" made me not want to go back to school? What if I couldn't get recommendation letters from my professors post-graduation? What if I made the wrong choice and my whole life fell apart?! Okay, that last one is mostly my anxious mind talking.

My strong feelings reflect what I've built up in my head. I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was around 10 years old. I've never changed my mind, even when other possibilities appeared. I might have considered something else briefly, but I'd always go right back where I started. Honestly, I thought of a gap year as something meant for people who weren't as sure as I was.

That's where my crisis comes in.

Recently, I've realized that one of the things I need the most right now is a break. College has been an incredible whirlwind, and I've handled it relatively well, but there were obstacles. I've dealt with levels of stress that I know are unhealthy. I've had lengths of time where I didn't take care of myself the way I should have. Even worse, I've suffered more than one breakdown as a result of not knowing when to take a break.

For example, this is how I felt 99% of sophomore year.
Source

I can only imagine that law school would take those challenges and multiply them tenfold. At this point, my desire to go straight into law school has weakened considerably. To help my own process and to guide anyone else (whether you're thinking about law school or another grad program) I'll offer you a list of the positive sides to taking a gap year.

• Gap years are great opportunities to do service - various programs in education and other fields exist to let people use their time to help others. Here's a list of gap year opportunities!
• Law schools in particular look for experience. Having held a job in the "real world", especially in the legal field, is very desirable in an application.
• Financially, taking a gap year is a way to work and save up some money that you can use during grad school (the Career Center also offers advice on financing grad school).
• It gives you time to reevaluate and decide if you really want to expend the time, energy and money necessary for grad school.
• Gap years can be a chance for you to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally in a (somewhat) less stressful environment than grad school would offer.

These reasons are why I've realized that considering a gap year isn't a sign of failure or indecision, but rather a sign that I've learned to pace myself. I wish I could end this post with a concrete decision, but I think part of a journey like this is taking it one step at a time.

At the end, I think I'll find myself on a path that leads to my dream.

If you're thinking about a gap year, make sure to check out Spotlight on Careers, a wonderful resource full of all the info you might need.

Signing off,

Kelly Vieira
Class of 2015

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The Gap Year Experience: Exploring Post-Grad Opportunities

The phrase "gap year" usually brings to mind some of your peers who took time off to travel the world, cross the country, and/or do some community service after high school and before college. Or maybe it reminds you of your friend of a friend who just needed a break from University and decided to take a year to himself...

Nowadays, the term "gap year" can be used to describe a new and exciting phenomenon: Students today are taking anywhere from a few weeks to a few years off after college to work in short-term jobs, internships, or community service programs.

And there are many reasons why that might be... Maybe some worked hard in college, and now want the opportunity to explore and figure out what they truly want. Other people are looking to work for a year before grad school or med school or law school. And for some people, this time serves to gain work experience or give back to the community and/or the world... And maybe even make a few new friends along the way:

"Us Jumbos gotta stick together!"

Career gurus all around are calling this new trend the "Gap Year Experience."

Here is a very defined definition given on Spotlight on Careers (username: spotlightpass and password: liberalarts2017): A gap year experience is a purposeful full-time volunteer or paid opportunity to explore or gain life and/or work experience in a field before going into a full-time job, graduate, or professional program. A gap experience is not an excuse to do nothing, instead, this time should be spent intentionally exploring and preparing for what comes after.

Some gap experience programs that you might have already heard of include Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and teaching English abroad. This phenomenon has been going on for years, but recently the trend has sky-rocketed into oblivion as a new and cool thing to do.

These days, a gap experience can literally be anything you want it to be-- It can be a way to save money, a way to volunteer your time, an excuse to travel, move to another place, or stay home. You can have it in a box; you can have it with a fox! You can use it to chase your passions and master a trade you already know and love... Or learn something new and potentially discover new passions!

It's always good to try something new...

The real question is: Is a gap year experience a good career move?

We think so!

Gap Year Experiences give graduates an opportunity to learn more about themselves, their careers, and the world so that they can continue on their career paths to success. Whether or not a graduate had an opportunity to go abroad during their undergrad years, having a gap experience could be a great opportunity to travel to a new country and even learn a different language. And many times, your gap experience will make it clear as to whether or not you should pursue additional education, and if so, what type of additional education you should pursue!

The trick to having a successful gap experience is to have one deliberately. "Whatever you do, do it intentionally," says Spotlight on Careers. However you choose to spend your gap experience, be conscious of what you plan on giving and taking from it.

So where do you start? How can you find an organization that offers short-term work opportunities like fellowships, internships, and volunteer opportunities?

More resources are available to you on the Tufts Career Center website under Fellowships and Gap Year.

But we hope you can make it!

Best regards,
Until next time,
Nirvanna

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What are common good careers?

This Wednesday, February 1 at 6:30 pm in Cohen Auditorium, Tufts Career Services and The Leonard Carmichael Society will host Careers in the Common Good: A Night of Networking.But what are common good careers? While there is no singular definition, for the purposes of this event we are using the term to refer to all work that has a shared and beneficial value for all (or most) members of a community. This term does not apply exclusively to non-profit work, but also includes for-profit, private, and public sector jobs that bring value to the community (of course, value is subjective).

Interested? Unsure? Want to learn more? Come network with alumni working a wide range of values-driven career fields and learn about why a career in the common good might be the right path for you.

The evening starts at 6:30 with a short keynote address by James Weinberg A00, Founder and CEO of Commongood Careers. Afterwards, join more than 30 alums for networking and small group discussion. Alumni will be present from the following industries and career areas: education; consulting; environmental; health care; public health; human services; legal; and philanthropy. Register to attend online by January 29

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How to Survive on an AmeriCorps Salary – Thoughts from Citizen Schools and City Year Reps

Citizen Schools and City Year are two organizations with great opportunities for seniors interested in short-term work experiences after graduation. Both nonprofits have locations in Boston and a number of other cities across the U.S. In addition, both have high rates of retention and are concerned with participants’ professional development during their programs. A few weeks ago, representatives from Citizen Schools and City Year visited the Tufts campus to chat about their organizations and give advice for making the most of a year (or two) of service, including stretching a living stipend to cover one’s expenses (totally do-able, by the way!)

First, some quick facts about both organizations:

Citizen Schools – National Teaching Fellowship
Fellows spend two years pursuing three intensive educational professional development opportunities, gaining hands-on experience at middle schools, work experience with community organizations, and academic training through pursuit of a Master's degree.

Deadlines
Apply by January 7; Notification by February 25
Apply by March 11; Notification by April 29

Benefits

• AmeriCorps educational award at the completion of your service (can be used for existing or future loans)
• Fellows receive the largest stipend allowed by AmeriCorps (~$22,800)
• Health Insurance
• Student loan forbearance
• 3 weeks vacation
• 403B retirement benefits
• Transportation allowance
• Laptop for use during program

City Year – Corps Members
As a City Year corps member, you will serve full-time as a tutor and mentor in schools, running after-school programs, leading and developing youth leadership programs, and vacation camps to make a difference in the lives of children and their communities. Although most of your corps experience will be working with kids, you will also help rebuild neighborhoods and perform a variety of transformative physical service projects.

Deadlines
Apply by November 15; Notification by December 17
Apply by February 1; Notification by March 1
Apply by April 1; Notification by May 1
Apply by May 15; Notification by June 15

They typically receive about 850 applications for 170 positions
Applying early is always better for ensuring a spot in the Corps, though there will still be spots for those who apply at later deadlines

Benefits

• AmeriCorps educational award at the completion of your service (can be used for existing or future loans)
• Bi-weekly living stipend
• Cell phone provided by T-Mobile
• Health Insurance
• Student Loan forbearance
• Networking sessions and professional development
• Leadership development trainings
• Uniform provided by The Timberland Company and ARAMARK
• Online community where accepted Corps Members can discuss housing

Recommendations for making the most of your living stipend:

• Plan ahead – think about your expenses (necessities vs. areas where you might be able to cut back)
• Leverage your resources – this may include applying for federal assistance programs like food stamps and making sure your student loans are in forbearance
• Collaborate with co-workers – find an inexpensive apartment, share grocery and other common expenses
• Consider part-time work if your time allows – for example, some Corps Members with City Year have found part-time weekend jobs to supplement their stipends
• Remember why you’re there – you’ll certainly face some tough times during a year of service, and remembering your reasons for wanting to serve will help you face those challenges and emerge a stronger person
  

For questions about Citizen Schools or City Year, contact our Tufts liaisons:

Sheldon Johnson
Campus Recruitment Manager
Citizen Schools
617.695.2300 ext. 1104
sheldonj@citizenschools.org

Jamaal Williams
Recruitment Manager
City Year Boston
617.927.2511
JWilliams@cityyear.org

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What To Do?? "Gap Year" Options for Seniors

Realizing that today is the first day of December made me more than a little anxious, I have to admit. The fall semester might as well be over by this point, which leaves us with about six measly months until we seniors graduate. Gulp.

By this point, you've probably given some thought to what you're going to do after leaving this fine home of the Jumbos. That doesn't mean you've actually settled on something though.
There are plenty of kids who are heading off to grad school. Others are jumping right into the workforce. And then there are those who still don't have the slightest clue about what to do with themselves (myself included).

Lo and behold...The Gap Year! This can mean different things to different people. For some, it may imply bumming around Amsterdam in a quest to "find" oneself. An interesting plan, but one that may not be easily explained on a resume.

Why do people decide to take a Gap Year? There are a myriad reasons: fear of the poor economy, academic burnout, a desire to try something brand new, etc. Taking this path can certainly be advantageous. You get the chance to be truly independent (not I'm-living-in-a-dorm-room-with-people-I-don't-know independent, but I'm-living-in-a-foreign-country-with-people-who-don't-speak-the-same-language-as-me independent), there are opportunities to develop new skills and talents (which will definitely bolster the resume), you can break out of your comfortable bubble and broaden your perspective on life (corny, but true)...the list goes on and on.

Luckily, there are various options for how to spend a Gap Year. You can locate jobs/internships/teaching programs/travel opportunities in just about any area of interest you could think of. Start off by looking through http://www.gapyear.com/, which features close to 8000 organizations in 123 countries that students can work with. It might seem a little overwhelming at first, but just take your time searching through all the listings, and you should be able to find several different possibilities that appeal to you. Some popular organizations are:

- Americorps (www.americorps.gov)
- Centerstage (www.centerstage.org)
- City Year (www.cityyear.org)
- JET (www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/)
- New Morning Farm (www.newmorningfarm.net)
- Public Allies (www.publicallies.org)
- Teach for America (teachforamerica.org)
- SCICON (www.tcoe.org/scicon)

There are also many other resources you can take advantage of to figure out how to spend your Gap Year.

- Log on to the Tufts Career Network and search by Major to see what alumni with similar interests as you are up to. Go ahead and get in touch with them to see what they did after graduation, and whether it might be something you'd be interested in doing too. Read the Career Services Networking and Informational Interviewing packet for advice on contacting alumni.

- Visit the Fellowships and Service section of the Tufts Career Services website. This will bring you to a list of scholarships, fellowships and post graduate internships that might be perfect for devoting your Gap Year to.

- Log on to Webcenter and select Career Services Web Resources from the drop down menu. You will find a variety of different helpful websites. I would concentrate on the Vault Online Library as a resource for exploring different career fields. There is a lot of information to browse through, but with a little patience, you'll be able to locate numerous guides that will give you helpful pointers about what to do during your Gap Year.

The point is, don't be alarmed if you find yourself not jumping into med school right after graduation (or ever, for that matter). Your options after graduation are not limited to grad school or a full time job. There are innumerable opportunities awaiting you should you chose to do something different and take a Gap Year instead. This is an extraordinary time in your life, so be sure to make the most of it!

P.s. This post is devoted to my frazzled friend Brenna. I hope it gives her some comfort.

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