For graduating seniors, getting that job right out of college or attending graduate school means one thing – change.

“(Students) always knew next year (they) were going to school,” said Linda Moore, director of career services. “Now (their) adult life starts, and it freaks some people out.”

Seniors are feeling a mixture of emotions as the big day nears for them to move onto different places and priorities. For those seniors looking for a job that relates to their major, sometimes sending resumes can be a bad thing.

One of the biggest mistakes students can make right out of college is sending hundreds of resumes out that are all the same, Moore said

“Employers are looking for compatibility, not generic,” she said.

Once students get their first job, there are other things they must do. These include changing their behavior, language, attire, and waking up early to be prompt.

“It’s hard to let go of some of the attire,” Moore said. “I didn’t want to at their age.”

Being prepared for life after college makes adjusting easier, but not all students are.

“(Career Services) has about 20 to 30 percent of seniors who wait till the last minute (for help),” Moore said about being educated about job search. “Half of them are well prepared and half are not.”

However, Career Services exists for all seniors who need advice. It is even open to those who want help after graduation.

“We help them by assisting them with their skills and preparing their job search,” Moore said.

Some students do not worry about getting a job and instead go into graduate school.

Rachel Miller, a senior psychology major, who will attend graduate school at Illinois State University this fall, thinks that Eastern has educated her better for graduate school than any other university.

“The psychology department has done a great job with its students,” she said.

However, not all students feel as prepared for graduate school.

Even though he’s attending graduate school at Eastern, senior communications studies major Koy Cook feels less prepared because it took him longer to decide between being a lawyer and studying communication.

“(I am) probably not (prepared) since it’s taken me so long to figure out what I wanted to do,” he said.

Cook, however, looks forward to more years at his alma mater because some of his close friends will return for graduate school also.

“(College) is fun,” he said. “It’s like grown-up high school.”

Not all seniors continuing with graduate school will stay near to friends – others will have to say good-bye as they move onto new colleges.

“At first I was excited, but now that (graduation is) a week away I’m realizing I’ll be leaving everyone,” said Jennifer Shaffer, a senior psychology major, who will move to the University of Illinois to study social work for graduate school.

At Eastern, Shaffer is used to seeing the same people regularly on her resident hall floor and is now nervous about going out and meeting new people at UIUC.

“I’m worried about making new friends again,” Shaffer said. “(But), “I’ll have my own apartment (at UIUC) and be more independent.”

Miller is also excited by the fact that she will have her own apartment when she leaves. “It’s a new beginning.”