Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Mario Escobar Unable to wait until graduation, senior Jesus Gonzalez, tries on his cap and gown. Caps and gowns are sold in the ASI business office until May 23. [Click to enlarge]

May is here, and that means that it is time again for graduation. But before you get ready to walk, there are things that must be done, and a few other things that are just for fun and for the sake of memories.

Graduation means the end of schooling and heading into the job market, and finding a job that you both went to school for and love can be nerve-wracking. The Career Center at Sacramento State is a place where graduates, and even freshmen alike, can go to get help when it comes to looking for the first job out of college.

Eva Gabbe, the Internships & Student Employment program manager at the Career Center, stresses coming to the Career Center as soon as possible, so that a plan can be put into action to help get that dream job.

"We will put together a strategic plan and a marketing plan," Gabbe said. The marketing plan helps put together a résumé, cover letter and other items to help make the student look like a shining star to potential employees, and the strategic plan helps get the student's information to as many employers as possible.

Gabbe said that having these plans is important because we are in a different market now, and a different strategy is needed. She said that although we are not in a recession at the moment, the job market makes it definitely a little harder to get a job now than three or four years ago.

However, Gabbe did say there are multiple job opportunities out there for graduating seniors.

"We are finding that there are certain industries that are doing extremely well," Gabbe remarked. "There are multiple needs for all majors."

Some of these markets are healthcare, insurance and accounting, just to name a few. Gabbe listed a few majors that would fit the bill for these areas of the job market, like accounting, finance and engineering.

Gabbe also said that companies like Chevron and SMUD, as well as the state, are recruiting right now because in about five to 10 years, thousands of baby boomers will be retiring.

"Huge corporations are worried because all of the knowledge and experience are going to be leaving," Gabbe said. "It is amazing how many jobs are going to be opening up. It is a very exciting time."

It is also a very exciting time for walking the stage and receiving a diploma on graduation day, which includes wearing a cap and gown. There is still time to purchase caps, gowns and tassels, because they are available from the ASI business office until May 23.

"They are an in-stock item," Mary Ruiz, student services supervisor, said. Getting your cap and gown sooner rather than later is a good idea, though, because Ruiz said that common heights for gowns run out faster. She said that the common heights are between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 6 inches.

Buying the cap and gown is not always necessary, though.

"A lot of people don't come in and get a full set - maybe just caps and tassels," Ruiz remarked. "They'll borrow the gown but buy a tassel to signify the year."

Since Feb. 2, 192 tassels have been purchased for this semester's commencement.

Aside from landing a job and getting a cap and gown, there are a few things that can be taken care of right before graduation for sake of the memories.

Some students may want to tell everyone that they know that all of the hard work during the past four years has paid off.

This is why graduation announcements are a great way to let your family and close friends know about this momentous occasion. Announcements can be ordered, right here on campus, from the Copy Graphics Center.

"Our cost is $1.75 per invite, which includes the envelopes," said Darla Janeway, manger of the Copy Graphics Center. "We have four different fonts to choose from, but there is only one style of invites that has the Sac State logo on front."

They also offer announcements, thank you cards, RSVPs and party announcements, all with the four different fonts and Sac State logo.

However, Janeway said there is a two-week turnaround time on graduation announcements, which means that now is the time to order those announcements and other essentials from the center.

Graduation photos are also a great way to commemorate the experience.

Jennifer Moon of Jennifer Moon Photography gave some tips on getting graduation photos taken. She suggested wearing simple clothing with solid colors and no bright logos on the day of the sitting, and to also not get your hair cut for at least two weeks before having photos taken.

She also said that the less stress, the better for photos, so you can really let loose and have fun during the shoot.

"You've worked so hard for so long, and this is the time that we can focus on you and have fun," Moon said. "Why not reward yourself for all of the hard work you have done? Plus, parents love it too."

Stephanie Dumm can be reached at sdumm@statehornet.com

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