Over the past few GradeUP! Challenges we’ve been talking about the view from where you are to where you want to be – better known as planning. I started with what’s closest on your horizon – this semester (Challenge #19) and then what’s in your longer view – next semester and beyond (Challenge #20). Before I finish up the GradeUP! Challenge blog series with advice on preparing for finals, I want to share some information with you on how to take advantage of a unique opportunity that will help with your plans for your longer-term future – the after college future.

The college setting is one of the few places where you have the ongoing opportunity to talk with professionals from the private and public sectors. Take advantage of every opportunity to attend a talk when speakers come to campus; learn from their experience and use the information these professionals share to help your future plans. Too often students only hear these visitors say the equivalent of, “This is who I am and this is what I do and if you work hard you can do it too.” That’s because most students rely on the speaker to deliver information that will resonate with them. To get more than a recent version of the speakers resume, you have to ask the questions that you want answers to. You have to be proactive in getting the information that you can use to launch and build your career from the foundation that college provides.

Here are some questions designed to help you get the most out of your exposure and engagement with a professional. As soon as the speaker ends their presentation with, “Are there any questions?” throw your hand up, stand and ask these questions:

• Did you have a plan for success after college?
• If you did, what was it?
• Did it work?
• If it did, why did it work?
• How much of what you did can I use today?
• What do you think I need to do to be successful in the current business environment?
• Will you help me make my plan as you did?

Use the answers you get to these questions to help you set long-range and short-range goals. Start with your long-range goals and then work your way back to the short-range goals achieving all of your goals, step by step.

Go to www.granvillesawyer.com/resources/ to get your own set of interview and planning sheets. Click on “Ask The Professionals: What Was Your Post-College Plan For Success?” and “Key Questions: What Is My Plan To Succeed In College?” You can also find more detailed resources along with the questions above in Chapter 10 in College in Four Years; Making Every Semester Count.

If you don’t have a copy of College in Four Years, I’ve made the book available at $14.99, a 25% discount from the regular retail price of $19.00. This special pricing is only available during the GradeUP! Challenge and expires May 3, 2015. Click the link above or on the cover of the book to the right, then scroll to the “Special Pricing” section on the page.

All previous GradeUP! Challenges are available on the GradeUP! Challenge Week by Week page.