Congratulations, Graduate!

You did the work and passed your exams, and you've got a diploma to show for it! Remember when senioritis kicked in and you wondered if this day would ever come? It's here, and all too soon the celebrating is ended. You're probably asking yourself:

• What's next?
• How am I gonna pay the bills?
• Where will I live?

Don't worry. The same endurance, stamina and patience you used to get you through those college exams will come in handy now.

• Carpe diem. Seize the day. Now that you've got a degree, you have an amazing number of options. Maybe you're tempted to do good in the Peace Corps. Or maybe you just want to do a little traveling. If so, you can learn about and travel to your ultimate destination with expedia.com. Or perhaps you're headed right into grad school (MBA? JD? PhD? MSW? ASAP). The first step is to identify your options and the opportunities.

• If you're the serious type, chances are you'll take a pragmatic approach to what's next by assessing your interests. Take an hour out of your life to be introspective. Give some serious thought to how you're going to make a difference. And consider how different choices will drive your lifestyle.

• If you're a noble gatherer of knowledge, you already know that degrees don't come free. But don't let that stop you. Link to our Simple Plan, how to pay for it.

If you're determined to be a Working Joe, you need to find an actual job opening for someone with your unique blend of qualifications. Headhunters will suggest you approach this phase of life with as much determination as you would working 9 to 5. Looking for work is a job, so go for it! You've got to get organized to hunt for a job. Put together a killer resume and set aside your lucky socks for interview day. Plus, your dream-job might require reliable transportation and that takes money.

Hang out with us and we can help make finding the right job easier:

• Using a template can streamline creating your resume.

• Getting to your new job shouldn't be the issue. Know which cars are the best and most reliable, how much they cost, and how to get your hands on one.

• Chances are that your cash is fairly well drained at this point. Now's the time you need to get familiar with the credit card that will best accommodate your job-hunting expenses.

• And if you've already landed the big one—your first job—we've got plenty of good ideas on how to handle yourself.

You can't go home again…or can you?

• If you left home for college, but yet have firm post-graduate plans, it might be time to tap into your parents' generosity and live at home until your plans are firm. Or maybe you have some reeeeaaally good friends who'll let you hang your hat with them for a while. If you've got a job and are anxious to adopt an apartment of your own, Apartments.com can help you find a pad that'll meet your criteria.

Lookin' for prime real estate.

• Some folks base their job search on geography. Have you always wanted to live by the seaside? Or are you the totally urban type?
  Find your best place to live

I've been accused of being a "Do-Gooder"

• If you want to serve mankind, you might be interested in joining AmeriCorps or VISTA. Not only are these rewarding jobs, but they also look great on a resume, build character, and create lifetime friendships.

For more information buy

The Complete Resume & Job Search Book for College Students by Bob Adams and Laura Morin

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