Graduation comes a lot quicker than you might think.

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was a Houston transplant, getting lost in the city on my way to campus. Now I still get lost, but I have a degree and know the best places to stop and get a taco or three.

The type of education you get at St. Edward’s University molds how you view the world post-graduation, regardless of your area of study. The university does a great job of facilitating discussion about real issues that will affect you after graduating; the small community makes for establishing long-lasting friendships, business connections and bonds with professors who are more than willing to recommend you for that big job or help with your pursuit of further education.

As I was graduating St. Edward’s this past May I was working for a political communications firm; I got the job through one of my professors at the time. If you make an effort to embrace the smaller class sizes and engage with your professors, opportunities will present themselves as you’re nearing graduation.

Since graduating, I have been working throughout Austin’s thriving advertising and marketing industry. I’m also keeping in touch with some of my favorite professors, as I’ll be needing their help as I apply to law school.

Graduation can be hectic and nerve wracking, but your future alma mater has a wealth of resources to prepare you for post-graduate life. You just have to be willing to utilize them.