From the first day of preschool, tots answer questions about what they’re going to do when they “grow up.” As first graders, students aspire to have jobs like a zoo keeper, circus performer, astronaut or the president. But as the years go on, the career ideas grow and become more realistic — more individualized.

During the four-year college experience, students refine their skills and interests so that after they walk across the podium and throw their mortar board, they know how they are going to define their success. But with a dismal financial outlook, students don't always think about what they want to do when they "grow up" as they did when they were in first grade — instead it's what they have to do to get by.

With an economy that is not exactly booming, the idea of securing a job immediately post-graduation is not what all students opt for. Instead, graduate school furthers knowledge and postpones loan payments until there is a concrete income to pay the bills. In about five months, the roughly 6,000 seniors will make the decision of what's next for them. They won’t discuss what they’re planning to do when they “grow up” — because they already have.

Finding her way

LSA senior Layne Steele Paddon isn’t worried about the days after graduation on April 28. Not only does she have a plan, but she thinks the majority of her peers feel they have a plan as well.

“I think it’s not only societally forced on us that once you graduate you need a job, but being in this kind of environment where it’s so rigorous and everyone’s at the top of their game, that we’re all really competitive (to get a job),” she said.

There isn’t a twinge of fear as Steele Paddon talks about her future. She speaks with confidence as she explains that through her internships and firsthand experience she’s decided she wants to go into a career in digital advertising and marketing. She plans to use her degree in communication studies and work in Chicago or Detroit.

However, Steele Paddon can’t currently get a job because the advertising field moves so quickly that jobs become available and need to be filled within two weeks. Though there isn’t a job waiting for her, Steele Paddon says she’s not scared she won’t get one.

“Through the amount of networking that I’ve done and connections that I’ve made ... I’ve established myself well enough where HR recruiters have said to me, ‘I’m going to help you get a job, even if it’s not at my company,'" she said.

LSA senior Cassie Mills accepted a full-time job offer with Target Corporation after her internship with the company last summer. At Target, she worked as a business analyst in merchandising operations for Target India and knew that 80 percent of the interns would be offered full-time positions after completing the 10-week internship.

Target is currently holding her position as an associate business partner for organizational effectiveness until June when she will start working.

“It feels good because I didn’t know I wanted (the position at Target),” Mills said. “But at least having that, I came in this year just so much more relaxed."

Mills is graduating in December with a degree in organizational studies and plans to take a semester off “to enjoy life” before she starts her job.

“I think (the time off is) something that everyone needs,” Mills said. “Everyone advises you not to go into the work force right away because college is so demanding, and then you need that time off.