Throughout their time here at Monmouth, students develop different academic and personal aspirations: some wish to pursue graduate programs, while others are seeking to enter the workforce upon graduation.
Whichever path they may choose, the University faculty provide resource and guidance to get students on track to achieving these goals.
This week, The Outlook staff shared their experiences with faculty and other aspects of the University that have helped plan for their lives after Monmouth. Collectively, our editors had high praise for their faculty members’ interest in their future.
One editor said, “I have had several professors not only inquire about my future but have written letters of recommendation for me going into the career field.”
“I do believe the professors at Monmouth not only want their students to succeed, but aspire to communicating with them after graduation,” the editor continued.
Another editor agreed, sharing that their professors already have them as professional contacts: “There are plenty [of professors] that I’m connected with on LinkedIn who support me and talk to me in the halls.”
Some editors even mentioned faculty by name, citing the many disciplines in which administrators have been helpful.
One editor recalled important conversations with a faculty member recalls meeting with Karalyn McNeil, Ph.D., to discuss their plans: “[She] sat down with me in a private meeting to discuss the route that she took as a woman un athletics and possible futures for myself.”
Another editor thanked Professor Kristine Simoes, A.P.R., Specialist Professor of Communication for her guidance.
“A specific time that I think of when a professor has helped me when thinking about my future, is when I talked to my advisor, Professor Simoes,” they said.
I was able to express my concerns and hope for my future to Professor Simoes and she gave me honest advice and pointers,” said the editor.
One of our editors also mentioned Professor of Journalism and The Outlook’s faculty advisor, John Morano. “One time after class, I spoke to Professor Morano about what I wanted to do after graduation, and he gave me great advice on internships and other ways to get to where I want to go. He really gave me assurance on what I was planning to do, with regards to internships and building my portfolio, within my last two years at Monmouth.”
Other influential professors that editors shared gratitude for included: Johanna Foster, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology; Jennifer McGovern, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology; Ken Mitchell, Chair of the Department of Political Science and Sociology and Associate Professor of Political Science; Walter Greason, Ph.D., Chair of Educational Counseling and Leadership; Sanjana Ragudaran, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Social Work; and Nancy Mezey, Dean of the Honors School; and Rehka Datta, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Political Science.
“While the university offers many opportunities to help students, our professors are foremost in helping us prepare for our futures, both inside and outside of the classroom,” an editor said.
Along with direct faculty support, Career Services has played a key role for many of our editors’ postgraduate endeavors.
“These events provided an opportunity for me to practice my interview skills, network with potential employers, and gain exposure into the job options I had given my skillset,” one editor said.
Another editor said that Stuart Rosenberg, Ph.D., Chair of Management and Decision Sciences, helped inform them about Career Services: “Dr. Stuart Rosenberg was a key figure in my time at Monmouth who made me aware of Career Services. He brought in an advisor to class who told us all about the benefits of Career Services, which caught my interest.”
Although Monmouth has provided useful resources for students, some editors offered their suggestions to improve students’ experience.
Some editors also felt that student advisors should consistently check their students’ progress.
One editor said, “Each student’s advisor should check in on their students to make sure they are on the right path. It’s hard to go it alone. Plus, it’s good to know someone cares about the student getting a job.”
Another editor echoed this sentiment by saying, “I think they do a solid job, but it would be helpful if our faculty advisors helped more after our freshman year because it often feels like they drop you after that point and then it’s all on you.”
One editor suggested that a guest speaker would have been helpful for them to connect with individuals from the field: “If maybe every class was required to have some speaker in the field of what you’re learning come in to speak at some point in the semester because I always find these opportunities very helpful.”
Another editor suggested that the University get more companies to represent themselves at career networking events so that students from all disciplines would find the events useful.
Overall, the editorial staff of The Outlook are grateful for the care and attentiveness of University faculty in providing professional insight to students’ futures.
“Students and professors are the brick and mortar that keep our University together; we make Monmouth have value and we work so well with one another,” an editor said.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University