After shuffling through resumes, cover letters and job letters, the class of 2000 is preparing to make its entrance into the real world.

Graduating seniors have various plans for life after graduation. Some already have jobs lined up while others are waiting to start their careers.

Justin Krbec, senior in marketing, plans to live in Minnesota until he finds the right career.

“I’m moving up to Minneapolis to move in with some guys I know,” he said. “I’m just going to spend a couple months up there, get a job for a few months and take the time to look for the right job.”

He said he doesn’t expect to run into problems while searching for a marketing job, but he wants to take the extra time to find the perfect match.

“I can find a job in sales or marketing anywhere,” he said. “What I’m really interested in is politics, and I’d love to find a job in political market research or something like that.”

Krbec’s roommate, Brian Nordmann, senior in finance, said he was originally supposed to move to Minneapolis after graduation as well. However, he has decided to stay in Ames.

“I already have a place here, so I thought since I didn’t have anything permanent, I’d just stay here where the cost of living is lower,” he said. “Besides, I still have friends who go to ISU.”

Nordmann said he plans to work for a period of time before beginning his career or continuing with school. “I’m planning on working part-time while I decide whether to start a job or go to grad school,” he said.

Other students, such as Josh Tait, senior in agricultural business, already have jobs lined up.

“I’ve been looking forward to graduating,” he said. “I’ve been sending out resumes since the third week of the semester.”

Tait, who is a commuter student from Des Moines, said the agricultural and business career fairs helped him find the perfect job at John Hancock in West Des Moines.

All three students said they have received a quality education from the university, and it has prepared them to find work.

Graduating students have mixed feelings about entering the “real world.” Some, like Tait, are excited to graduate while others, such as John Lyle, senior in agricultural studies, said the concept hasn’t hit them yet.

“I’m just worrying about trying to get through this semester before I think about graduating,” Lyle said.

Nordmann said he has mixed emotions about graduating. “It feels good to get out after four years, but at the same time, it’s kind of scary going into the real world,” he said.

The undergraduate commencement will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. French scientist Jean Marie Dubois, who is receiving an honorary degree from Iowa State, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. Interim president Richard Seagrave will speak at the graduate ceremony at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.