Features

Three, Two, One, Graduate!

Anxieties About Finding a Job or Continuing School After Senior Year

In another month, the Class of 2014 will be off at commencement exercises. With this special day also comes the reality of being able to secure a job after graduation or even graduate school.

Gina Crowell, a freshman communication major, noted, “It could be very difficult to secure a job immediately and while I am only a freshman here, I don’t quite know what this will be like.”  This is a very realistic situation.

Emily Henig, a junior communication major, said, “I am nervous about finding a job and will be doing an internship for my communication TV major next year.”

Henig added, “The career fairs held at the University allowed me to meet prospective employers and see what they had to offer.” This is an especially important day as it allows students to ask various questions about careers in their related fields after graduation and also help them refine their job search in the future.  There were many employers there in all different fields from accounting to journalism.

Many students have put as many as five to six years of hard work to get to this day.  This is a culmination of everything they have done from academic honor societies to president of a fraternity to fun times with new friends they have made over the years.

Amanda Salerno, a sophomore psychology major, believes that this is a bitter sweet time.  “It is sad because college is over, but now students have to find a real job that they will be able to [work at] for a while.”  This is tough as a chapter is ending and another is quickly beginning.

Lauren Puglisi, Admissions Counselor, sees some students who have regretted not doing more prior to graduation to land them a job. “Some students wish they interned or got more involved on campus in the hope of securing a position after graduation.”

This shows that building up the resume is very important because employers look to see previous college experience which may include leadership roles in clubs, volunteering and other means of activities.  Graduation day is an exciting time where students not only celebrate with family and friends, but it is also a time where years of sacrifice and hard work pay off in the end.

Amanda Bowman, a sophomore communication major, sees this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to share with family and friends. “I don’t know how they do it here since I am only a sophomore, but it is a special time that one can share with the friends who they have made here as well as family.”

This is not all that graduation is about. Some students will be going on to graduate schools while others will go right into the work force.

Kelly Craig, a senior political science major, is getting ready to pursue higher levels of thinking in graduate school courses. “I have not made up my mind about which graduate school, but I would like to do something in law,” said Craig. “During my time at Monmouth, I have been involved in many activities including Head Resident Assistant, Student Government Association President and Captain of the Debate Team.”

All of these experiences will contribute to future success in graduate school for Craig as strong leadership and team building communication skills are a must in all of these areas.  As a result, strong involvement in extracurricular activities as well as a sound academic record is crucial to get to this level of education because the demands are much higher in order to be successful at the next level.

As the weeks count down to this special time, while there are many uncertainties for some, it is a moment of accomplishment for all.

PHOTO TAKEN from babywolf.com