Real world experience poses a challenge to three recent graduates
By Lyndsay Ferguson
Skiff Staff

Stepping into the real world after college can be hard, but three former college students offer advice on how to cope.

When Chad Lovell stepped into the real world after graduating from TCU, he said he expected life to be as breezy as it was while under his parents’ financial umbrella. But he soon learned otherwise.

For instance, when he attempted the supposedly simple task of buying his own car insurance policy, he found a bit of trouble.

“I have no tickets on my record, yet when I tried to get my own car insurance right out of college, my policy was canceled five different times,” he said.

Lovell said this happened because the insurance underwriters considered him a high risk since he was on his parent’s policy before, and he did not actually own the policy to his car.

“I was even pulled over for speeding on one occasion, and I didn’t know if had a valid insurance policy,” he said. “Luckily I got off with only a warning.”

After weeks of calling his agent he finally settled everything and got his car insurance.

“The trials and tribulations of stepping into the real world are filled with more small obstacles than you can ever imagine,” Lovell said.

As graduation approaches, Lovell and other graduates warn those about to enter the real world that being on their own can be tricky.

Lovell and fellow recent graduate Kyle Gore work for TAC-Americas, a supplier of integrated systems for building automation, in Carrollton. Another recent TCU graduate,

Katie Roche, works for Nextel, a wireless communication services provider, in Plano.
After college, many former students are surprised with everything involved in being on their own.

“You do not realize all of the hidden costs your parents took care of,” said Lovell, who works as a project engineer. “Managing your insurance, rent, bills and wisely budgeting your limited income can sometimes be a part-time job of its own.”

Gore, a sales representative, agrees.

“Getting a paycheck is great, but having to give most of it away is sickening,” he said.
Lovell also warned that Uncle Sam might take more than his fair share.

Another surprise of the real world is the fact newer employees don’t quite get to jump right into their work like Gore said he originally thought. He did not expect the six months of training he received.

Roche, a direct account executive, is currently in classroom training while alsoshadowing her boss. Lovell only had three weeks of basic orientation training and an additional three weeks of systems and software training, but he said most of his work is “learn as you go.”

The graduates said the homework and grunt work does not end when college is over.

Lovell often does work from home after his nine-hour work day. Gore spent eight weeks of sales training in Weslaco doing installation training which often required working with equipment on roofs and working in mechanical rooms.

“Realize that you are going to have to put in your time, just like everyone else,” Roche said. “Coming out of college I was very ambitious, and felt I could conquer the world and I quickly realized that everyone saw me as the baby.”

Lovell’s advice to college students seeking a job is to get interview experience. He recommends taking advantage of TCU’s Career Services as well. TAC-Americas recruited

Lovell and Gore after seeing their resumes on the TCU Career Services Web site.

“Also, get a job that you are really interested in, regardless of the money,” Lovell said. “Nothing is worse than getting up each day and going to a job that you hate.

“I have already seen friends quit and others get laid off from jobs that they did not like, and this is after only being out of college for less than six months,” he said. “It is very important to be realistic with both your goals and your expectations when it comes to your job.”

Roche suggests talking to people in the industry to get leads and make connections.

Roche found her job at Nextel through a friend.

“Don’t take a job just to take a job,” Roche said. “You are allowed to be picky. Find out what you want to do or enjoy doing.”

But the three graduates said real world living is not all work and no play. The three alumni have active social lives, but they agree that it is difficult to stay out late on weekdays when they have work in the morning.

“No more heading down to the bar at 1 a.m. on a Tuesday night in your pajamas after a hard night of studying,” Lovell said.

Overall, Gore said it is nice to have the freedom to make decisions with your money, but there is a responsibility that he never imagined.

“College is so different from the real world. It is tough to compare,” he said.

l.m.furgeson@tcu.edu