Book explains real world difficulties to college graduates

Many graduating seniors may be fearful of what comes after college, but Jason Steinle attempts to explain the transition.

April 18, 2005

By Jasmin McCarroll

For The Collegian

Kathryn Orobona said the only job she's had has been during the summer and after this May, it will be weird not to come back to Penn State in the fall.

Orobona (senior-science) added that she is nervous about finding a job, gaining financial security and not having to rely on her family after graduation.

As spring commencement approaches, many seniors are left wondering where they are going to go and what they are going to do after graduation.

Jason Steinle, author of the book Upload Experience: Quarterlife Solutions for Teens and Twentysomethings, wrote about the difficulties quarter-lifers -- people aged 18 to 22 years old -- face, and how to deal with the transition from college to the real world.

"Don't think you have to have it all figured out," he said. "It's OK to stumble and fall."

Steinle's book, produced after four years of interviewing quarter-lifers and people between the ages of 30 to 40 years, said the biggest concern of most quarter-lifers is finding a job after graduation.

They also worry about getting a house, being independent and having enough money to support the lifestyle they want, Steinle said.

"The reason I wrote this book is because all my friends seemed to have things figured out and I didn't," Steinle said.

Steve MacCarthy, vice president of university relations, said students who go to Penn State may find transitioning a little easier than students at other universities.

"The network of friends and colleagues is huge at Penn State," he said. "I think seniors will start to see the advantage of being Penn State alumni as they make the transition into the real world."

Andrew Woodruff (senior-material science and engineering) said he would like to read the book if he started to have problems, but right now he feels confident about the future.

"PSU is a big community and prepares you for what you're going into," he said.

Jack Rayman, MBNA Career Services director, said MBNA provides workshops, seminars and counselors available to help students with the transition.

"I've seen the main concerns of students as being about their majors, professional issues and things like how to get an apartment and managing credit," he said.

"Time-management is huge. Students don't realize they have to get up before noon in the real world," he added.

Rayman said that business and engineering majors have a little bit more of an advantage than liberal arts majors because there are currently more job opportunities in the business and engineering fields.

Steinle said when interviewing quarter-lifers about their concerns and how to deal with them, he found that quarter-lifers know more than they give themselves credit for.

He suggested students should enjoy what they have now and make an effort to network, foster relationships and keep connections close.

"It's easy to get overwhelmed, so your networks become very valuable at this time," he said.

Anthony Renaldo (senior-biochemistry and molecular biology) said he believes that college has done a fairly good job in helping him figure things out. "College is a minor step into the real world -- a kiddie pool," he said. "Now it's about who's gonna give me a chance."