Grad school or work? Travel or stay home? These are questions that may go throughout the minds of a college senior. Whether students need more time or want to graduate early, December graduation is supplying the average college student with more options.
About 420 applications have been submitted to the Registrar’s Office for the May 10, 2003, spring graduation. The ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m. at Lawrence Joel Coliseum.
Of the 420 applicants, five are graduate students, receiving a master’s in education. This past graduation for December 2002 was only the second time this was an option to students. There were 160 undergrads and five graduate students as physical therapy majors. More people applied and graduated in this ceremony than in the first December commencement in 2001.
This December, there will most likely be more graduates than last year. William Cain, the enrollment manager for the university, said this is probably because students now have a different mindset.
As the December graduation rates continue to increase, the spring graduation rates will most likely continue to decrease. This is not a bad concept, as long as the percentage of graduates remains steady or continues to grow annually as a whole. Summer school sessions one and two, and fall graduates make up the December commencement.
The advantages of the December graduation being added to the program are numerous. Cain said, “I think it’s a good idea. It works people harder.” The December 2002 graduation was held in K.R. Williams auditorium, just as the year before. The only difference was the elbow room in the building last year compared to December 2001.
“KRW holds around 1,800 seats, and it was packed wall to wall, so this December they will probably need a new place,” said Cain. What it all boils down to is that the December graduation, “gives more options and a quicker path,” he said.
With graduation right around the corner, seniors are making their final preparations before stepping out into the real world. Job interviews, updating résumés and applying for graduate school are just some of the tasks. So how do graduating seniors going through this process really feel, and what are their plans after graduation? Kimberly Hollaway, a management information system major, is moving to Georgia to attend graduate school at the University of Georgia in addition to working. She expressed her feeling toward graduation as “sad because I’m going to miss the school environment my line sister and friends. On the other hand, I’m excited because I’m moving toward bigger and greater things after graduation.”The office of Career Services is open to students who would like assistance with preparing for life after college. Staff members see students by appointments to help explain various opportunities. Donnel Holmes, who graduated last year from WSSU, is currently working for American Advertising Association. He said, “Seniors must realize that this is a bad economy and do not get discouraged if you can’t find a job. Keep up your persistence, and don’t be afraid to take the smallest position.”Graduation is a big step, and Faith Herring is ready to make that step. After graduating she will live in New York while perusing her modeling career and waiting a year to attend law school. Her feelings toward graduation are bittersweet. “I’m very exited about moving on to the next level, but I will miss my friends, line sisters and school environment.” Tiffani Mills, a graduating marketing major, is nervous about leaving school but ready for all new challenges. She will continue to work at Wal-Mart as assistant manager for one year. Then move to New York as a buyer for a clothing store. The most common misconception that college graduates have after graduation is that they are guaranteed a job or that a job will come to them. Even though it is springtime, and the weather is nice, come August when it is time for one to get a job, all the jobs are filled. The economy has dwindled due to recent event in the nation. Some job hunting tips for graduates are:1. Start early, beginning your senior year. There are never enough career fairs and networking opportunities available. 2. Decide on what kind of job you want, and then research.3. Networking is essential. Talk to fellow student in the work field, previous employers, friends, professors, etc. that can help with process of finding a job.4. Try everything from emails, to interviews, to referrals, to looking in the classified section of the paper. Being narrow-minded can only harm your quest in finding a job. 5. Don’t procrastinate. 6. Be persistent. Don’t assume that a job will come to you. Making thing happen for you a key to success. So to those graduating seniors thinking that they are truly prepared for the “real world,” make sure that you have truly evaluated your position in the job force. Networking is key, so preparation will allow life after college to be exciting.
Denise Simmons and Kimberly McPherson contributed to this story.
Contact Janell J. Lewis at jlewis@thenewsargus.com.