In eighteen days the December 2012 graduates will be walking the stage, myself included. I can’t speak for everyone, but personally, I am terrified. I feel like I have been more than prepared to face the world post grad yet find myself numb and totally unprepared for a real job in my field.

This is no fault of my professors or my education I received at MSU, just a fear of the unknown.

Like some of you I am from the Dallas area, a place I thought I’d like to return after college, but while searching for jobs in the area I was taken back by an overwhelming amount of jobs needing to be filled and questioning my qualifications.

No I don’t have five years experience in the field. The whole process is making me question things I already know I am great at.

My regret is I did not start this process earlier. I spent my entire time in school getting involved in multiple student organizations and leadership roles in an effort to fill my resume and learn new skills I could bring to the workforce.

I became so consumed with activities I never saw how fast graduation was approaching.

This week I spent several days handing off duties and titles I have held during my time at MSU. A bittersweet moment.

College can be drama for some people totally ready to get out of this place. I’ll admit I’ve had my share of drama, but not enough to taint my time here.

As kids we always told our parents we couldn’t wait to grow up and live by our own rules. I am regretting that statement now.

As I brave this cold harsh world, a very fitting description since its 38 degrees outside, I wish I could have cherished each day a little more.

As much as I complain about how hectic my schedule is, I can’t imagine what I am going to do without the chaos of my everyday life.

The best way I can describe college is a safe and confined space where everything can be forgiven and most everything can wrapped up by saying, “Oh, they are still students. They are still learning and they didn’t know any better.”

All those excuses are soon to be a thing of the past.

The reality is life is about to get real. We’ve all dreamed of a big time job right out of college. We can sit and say we are aware of the economy and understand it’s going to be tough getting a job, but I don’t think I prepared myself for the tedious process.

I know exactly what I want to do after college and chances are it’s going to take a while to make that a reality. The sooner I realize that, the less stressful my job search should go.

This election season, education was such a hot topic. Romney wanted to cut higher education grants and Obama’s idea of creating jobs included retail and wait staffing jobs.

Don’t be surprised when this recent graduate is a little nervous about what’s to come after I walk the stage.

I might be overreacting or overly cautious, but this end of the year wrap up has been on my mind as graduation date approaches.

I’d like to point out for all you December graduates; the world is expected to be ending soon. I find it very suspicious and oddly relative.

Our lives are changing majorly, essentially closing a chapter of our lives. For me, graduation is nothing more than a doomsday.

In actuality, that isn’t totally how I feel, but making that leap from student to full-time employee is horrifying.

My advice for future graduates, whether December, May or two years down the road, make post graduation a priority early. Don’t be in the same boat I am right now, terrified and frozen at the reality of life after college. Good luck, we’re all going to need it.