Graduating from college is a major milestone in life, so congratulations! Whether you’ve already walked in your graduation ceremony or you’re powering through your last semesters in college, you should be proud of your accomplishment. You’re now well on your way to a promising and fulfilling life with a quality education under your belt, but you need to ask yourself an important question at this point in time: Are your ready for your first job out of college? There are a number of things you need to start thinking about seriously as you begin to take your first steps into the future.

You should consider your degree first of all. Some industries have a wealth of opportunities open to college graduates with bachelor’s degrees, but you may not be going into one of those jobs. Many career paths, such as those in medicine, education, law and engineering, require more specialized education. What kind of opportunities are available to you as a college graduate? You might be prepared to enter the working world straight away, or you may need more schooling to land a position in your desired field. It would be a good idea to speak to an academic adviser from your school about this.

Have you gained any valuable experience from your college years? Too many students make the mistake of not getting involved during their college years. If you go through the motions, attend lectures and pass exams, you can easily get a degree but you may be lacking in other areas. The students who are most prepared to find jobs out of college are those who get involved in their field outside of class. Internships are great opportunities, as are research partnerships with professors, and independent projects done on your own time. Everything you learn in college is valuable, but the students who apply their knowledge are best equipped to enter the workforce after graduation.

College is a great time to start networking. You have a golden opportunity to forge connections with professors and faculty members who are often experts in their fields, and this can be a great help to you in your initial job search. If you develop positive relationships with your professors during your college term and show them that you can do quality work, they may be able to help you with job opportunities later on. You’ll be much better prepared for the working world after college if you’ve been an active student throughout your years in college.

Only one person can decide if you’re ready for your first job after college. The market is tough, and finding employment takes hard work. You may need to spend time working part-time or temp positions while you pursue an online MBA degree, or you might have what it takes to land your dream job right off the bat. The ambitious go-getter will be rewarded with many opportunities. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, start working on your resume and go out to see what awaits you. There’s a whole wide world out there just waiting for your arrival.