Wackerle:
semester highlights

By Jessica Walendukanis
Courier Staff

As the semester comes to a close, the Wackerle Career and Leadership Center would like to look back on some of the highlights that took place.

Back in February, lecturer Karen Cates presented, “Negotiate Job Offers Like a Pro.” Students learned the techniques for negotiating the details of a job offer, such as salary, benefits and getting the offer they want out of the deal.

Cates presents this program annually to help prepare students for what they can expect from employers and to arm students with some new negotiation skills.

“Negotiating a salary is an intimidating experience for most job candidates,” said Michelle Shawgo, director of the Wackerle Career Development Program.

Shawgo continued, “It is important for students to understand that they can negotiate the details and do not have to accept the first offer that is made to them.”

Another highlight of the semester came in early March during the MC Career, Summer Job and Internship Fair. Students were able to meet and speak with employers for internships, summer jobs and career openings.

Approximately 70 students took advantage of the opportunity to gather information, submit resumes and network with employers.

“I thought that the fair was an excellent idea. There were so many employers there, and it really made the job search easier for students,” said junior Erin Roberstson.

Preparing for graduation is hard enough without having to think about the “little” things that real life brings. Some seniors may not know what to expect after they move away from college life and that is why the Wackerle Center sponsored, “Is There Life After Monmouth College” in April.

Guest speakers Rob Purlee ’04 and Michael McNall ’81, are currently employed at MC, as well as alumni.

Purlee, of Security Savings Bank and the MC quarterback coach, answered questions and discussed his transition from college life into the real world.

McNall, MC director of personnel, discussed tax deductions, employee benefits, the importance of health insurance and retirement savings and a number of other human resources topics.

In addition, the Wackerle Center added a new event to its schedule this year, the MOCKtail Party, presented by The Mavens of Manners, an etiquette business out of Galesburg, and sponsored by the Wackerle Center, Association for Student Activity Programming (ASAP) and the Wellness Center.

This event taught students the proper ways of handling one’s self in a social setting.

“I found the MOCKtail Party very informative and now feel better prepared when I enter the professional world,” commented senior Nicole Kaczmarek.

Shawgo felt the Wackerle programming has been successful overall. “Attendance definitely is not where I would like for it to be. However, I always seem to receive positive feedback from those students who do attend the programs,” she stated.

As the spring semester concludes, so does Shawgo’s second semester in the director’s position at the Wackerle Center.

When asked how she feels now that she has two semesters behind her, she answered, “I am really excited about next year. This year has been a great learning experience for me. I found out what works well and what needs a little improvement. Now I can take what I learned and apply it to planning for the 2006-2007 year.”