A major concern for graduate students as they approach the last year of their programs is how and if they will find a job.

Regardless of the field they have chosen, students take steps toward the post-graduate world in much the same way.

Adam Schwartz, a fourth-year doctoral student in the College of Education, said the anthropology department offers a written guide for advice to heed during their graduation program.

Despite that, Schwartz, who is studying language, reading and culture, said, “”Everyone is sort of in the dark.””

Faculty plays a huge role in students’ development of competence.

Students new to graduate programs can get an early start on developing professional skills.

“”When the system is working well, we try to get them to write pieces of publications,”” said Neal Armstrong, a chemistry and optical sciences professor. Later on, he said, students write full papers.

“”It is important for students, especially in science, to have written a lot of papers,”” said Catherine Neish, president of the Graduate Professional Student Council,

Neish, a fourth-year planetary science doctorate student, added that presenting publications and research among peers is helpful in preparation for a professional career.

The most important step graduate students can take toward becoming professionals is networking, Neish said.

Continuing communication is necessary to finding a position, she added.

Schwartz agreed, saying, “”You start getting to know people. You keep in touch with people. They are so informative that you need them.””

Communication is developed through group work, as well.

“”Gone are the days when you can work in isolation and succeed,”” Armstrong said. “”Teamwork is essential.””

There are other ways students can help themselves to stand out in a crowd.

“”Participation in fellowships or scholarships show that you have competed amongst other students,”” Neish said.

Creativity also draws potential employers, Armstrong said. He noted that creativity must be developed independently and, while professors can establish a learning environment conducive to its development, it is difficult to instruct.

Establishing oneself as fixture in a company or academic institution early on can help ensure a job after graduation.

Internships have their perks, said Jake Knutson, a second-year student in the Eller College of Business’ public administration and policy master’s program.

“”A lot of internships will turn into a job,”” he said.