The clock is now ticking. As May 7 gets closer and closer I will begin to get more and more nervous about taking the next step in my life.

This is not because I’m afraid of tripping while accepting my diploma or whether or not I will qualify for graduation, but how quickly I can find a job after I take that walk.

But as those nerves keep coming, I can continue to tell myself that I am prepared and will be just fine.

Because of frequent updates to my resume and starting job searches early, I will not only have a better chance finding a job, but I may find a job that I really want to take.

When thinking about careers, it is not too early to be prepared. With a new semester and intense competition, seniors should be lining up jobs and underclassmen should be working toward getting a summer internship.

As soon as students choose a major, they should be thinking about what type of career opportunities are out there.

We don’t spend four or more years in Charleston just for a good time on weekends and to attend class every once in a while. We are here to further ourselves in life, and that’s how students should see it.

“On average, it is important to get your resumes and cover letters out early,” said Linda Moore, director of Career Services. “It does depend a little on the employer and the field … so the key is deciding, as a candidate, which employers you really want to work for and find out what their hiring practices are.”

Showing interest early lets the employer know you are truly serious about what you may be doing for the rest of your life. It shows commitment far beyond a good GPA.

If you lack the knowledge and need a little guidance, go to Career Services, which is located in the Human Services Center.

It can help you with resumes and cover letters, job fairs, interviews and much more. Any year and major can benefit.

“More and more students are getting an early start on this – even during their freshman and sophomore years – which is really smart,” Moore said. “About 30 percent of the seniors have already been in our office as a junior or less.”

When contacts are made, be sure to stay in contact with these people and companies. I have had two internships and still talk to a few of the people I worked for.

In addition to looking for help at Career Services get involved within your major. Departments offer job fairs and conferences for majors to attend, which can be very helpful in making contacts in your profession.

I was offered an internship after interviewing at a job fair through the Journalism Department last winter as did several other members of the newspaper staff.

While many students are thinking about their new classes and attempting to get out of the funk from a three-week break, they should still try to make steps toward the future.