One of the scariest parts of going to college is knowing that you are that much closer to the real world. For many students, life after college creeps up out of nowhere and leaves them unprepared. But for the second year in a row, Monmouth College and the Wackerle Career and Leadership Center are hosting a program that can help soon-to-be-college graduates shed some of these fears.

Taking place on Saturday, April 12, this program, entitled “Facing the Future,” will be provided by the capstone students of public relations and communication and theater arts (CATA). Michelle Shawgo, director of the Wackerle Career Development Program, stated, “Last year, it was an idea hatched by Professor Bill Wallace [of the department of communication and theater arts] and me as a way to draw attention to important issues that students will face after graduating from MC. As a career development center, we try to prepare students for life beyond college in as many ways possible.  This is a different and interesting way to educate students on important issues.”

The capstone students will be providing presentations on the following topics: the changing face of jobs and identity in the 21st century, personal budgeting, the transition from college to work: post graduate personal care, time and efficiency on the job, non-verbal communication in interviews, post-graduate stress, and conducting company research and asking the right questions in the interview. 

“The CATA and PR capstone students have the opportunity to take ownership of the conference.  Some students are in charge of event planning and execution, while others are presenters.  This gives them some great experience, because they play important roles in a class project very different from others to which they are accustomed,” Shawgo commented.

Along with the student presentations, Monmouth College assistant professor of psychology Kristin Larson will be presenting on the topic of “What I Wish I Knew When I Was in College” and associate professor of the CATA department Trudi Peterson will present on the topic of “What You Need to Know about Graduate School.”

But the program doesn’t stop there. During the lunch program, the College has recruited four recent Monmouth College graduates to come speak about their experiences following graduation. These students include 2007 graduates Liz Martin, a current Associate 1:1; Paul Rogers, a current quality control chemist; and Rachel (Jenks) Kunkel, a current accountant, along with one 2006 graduate, Jessica Mojden, who is currently the Director of Sales for Unistaff Jobs. There will also be a keynote speaker who works for a promotion company. She will discuss the importance of selling yourself to your future employers.

With quality Monmouth College graduates, experienced professors and tons of useful information to be presented, this program can definitely help one face the future.

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