Life after U...?

Hello all! What a busy week! My posts lately seem few and far between simply because I've been generating a bit more material for the Concordiensis these past few weeks and also because I have been quite involved with all of the wonderful final projects the term has to offer. But hopefully, these last couple of weeks will be a bit less hectic and I will be able to generate a few more postings!

So, as the school year finishes up, my junior year draws to a close, and many of my close friends are soon to be graduating, I've been thinking a lot lately about all of the possibilities the future beholds. It sometimes boggles my mind that I have only one more year at this 'home away from home.' But one of the wonderful things about Union is all of the additional opportunities available just by attending this college. I wanted to highlight a few of those possibilities in this post:

PROSPECTS FOR THE UNION GRADUATE:

1. INTERNSHIPS: Not quite ready to take on the job market just yet? The Becker Career Center is highly helpful in directing students to some of the best places to obtain internships throughout their undergraduate years and beyond. Websites such as Experience.com (formerly known as eRecruiting) and LACN (Liberal Arts Career Network) vastly help in obtaining a wide variety of internships locally and nationally. And the Becker staff are always enthusiastic, helpful, and welcoming!

JOBS: Looking for that dream job right out of college? Many graduating students are hoping for just that. It's true that the economy doesn't always seem quite conducive to the fresh-out-of-college types, but luckily, a Union education pays off in a variety of ways. Not only is Union well known for graduating highly successful individuals, the college also has an expansive alumni networking system that allows many graduates to take that first step on their chosen career path. The alumni database (currently accessed through the career center) and on-site opportunities certainly help students And there are even employers who seek out Union students for job recruitment. Seems like another great reason to take advantage of all that Union has to offer!

3. ADVANCED DEGREES: So, I guess you probably know of Union College (you do, right?). But have you heard of "Union University"? If you're like me and just beginning to learn of the far-spanning nature of a Union education, chances are you might not have know that such a distinction exists. But as the college website states, "Union College, Union Graduate College, Albany Medical College, Albany Law School, Albany College of Pharmacy, and the Dudley Observatory of the City of Albany are united and recognized by the New York State Board of Regents as Union University."

Whether you're part of the Leadership in Medicine (LIM) program, or looking to obtain a masters degree from Union Graduate College, the undergraduate institute helps to prepare you for these opportunities, makes you a competitive candidate, and even encourages the pursuit of graduate studies elsewhere. Gotta love Union (especially in its many forms)!

4. (POSTGRADUATE) SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS: Ever heard of the Watson Fellowship? Fulbright Grants? Rhodes Scholarship?

Did you know that Union students have been successful in achieving all three (among others)? The Becker Career Center has a webpage devoted to high-profile scholarships, grants, and fellowships, many of which Union students have had the honor of being awarded.

So, if you're looking for another type of experience after graduation (or even while you're still at Union!), there are so many possibilities and even programs in which Union tends to show a great of success.

And do you know of the Minerva Fellows? It's an amazing program Union offers to a small group of students (no more than ten) to help create change across the globe for the first year after their graduation.

The 2010-2011 Fellows have been back on campus this past month sharing their experiences and helping to prepare the future group for their upcoming departures. I attended a variety of their lectures over the last few weeks and learned a great deal about the program in the process. I am hoping that one of my upcoming posts will give some more insight into their time abroad. But until then, please watch this amazing video of their experiences, and also read their own blogs for more information.

5. "Out of college, money spent/See no future, pay no rent/All the money's gone, nowhere to go..."

Alright, so you might be wondering why I posted these Beatles lyrics when all previous information has detailed the wonderful opportunities upon graduation, while this reality might seems somewhat undesirable. What I am trying to put forth is the notion that yes, there are so many great possibilities out there to fill the rest of our days. But just as us college kids have always been told, "Enjoy these times, they are the best years of your life" (kind of a bleak statement, actually), the same holds true for the post-graduate years. And there are all types of experiences to be had. So...

a. It's true: I am one of the first to say that my time at Union has been absolutely wonderful (still with high expectations for next year!). But there are so many great times to come that will build upon our experiences in college. So, these may be some of the best years of our lives so far, but there are many more to come. And we can't discount those, too!

b. It's okay to go off the beaten path and create your own way! Well, I can't say I have fully experienced such a thing myself since I am a naive junior undergrad, but from all I've observed in life and all I have been told over the years, that time right after graduation is the best opportunity to see the world, do something different, and just experience life to its fullest. Or so they say...

c. So, what I am trying to vocalize is that while the idea of having a job, attending grad school, or creating humanitarian-based change might seem like a daunting task (and while having "nowhere to go" might be equally as nerve-wracking), whatever it is you do out of college can be enjoyable in its many and varied forms. Or it can be a learning experience that allows you to pursue an alternative path as life continues. Either way, we still have the remainder of our lives to live and the ability to create 'somewhere to go.'

So, when the prospect of the imminent future becomes stressful, just sit back and listen to the Beatles (love 'em or hate 'em, they often speak universally). And realize that most people have gone through this transitory time before, often not knowing where they're headed, but realizing that just maybe it's alright to exist that way for a point in life. It especially seems important to keep an open mind because when you are expecting a specific outcome of a situation, you might just miss out on the many other possibilities along the way.


Well, that's my spiel about college and life for the moment. Feel free to comment whether you agree or have a differing opinion!

I hope that everyone enjoys the Memorial Day Weekend (please celebrate the holiday for those of us who have classes on Monday). And best of luck to the seniors as they begin the next stage of their lives in just a couple short weeks. Ciao for now!