A New Start

A New Year often gives us a new perspective. Those of us who decide to return to school are doing something to change our future. Learning something new expands our horizons. Starting a degree or finishing one tells others we are disciplined and committed. It speaks highly of our ability to set goals and achieve them. Education is a resolution that you can keep.

Some of us are lifelong learners. We have a question and are not afraid to find the answer. We want to make our life better so we learn something new. Not everything we learn has to have a college credit attached to it. For example, this week I will be attending an 8 hour training class about how to create and maintain a web site. I always want to learn more! I am preparing myself for a career after I graduate. I don't want it to be the day of graduation and find myself thinking, "What am I going to do now?"

People of all ages go to college and become so focused on finishing they don't take time to think about the end result. The time to think about what you are going to do after graduation is not the day after but the time before; while you are still in school. Good planning helps you to choose the right electives and courses. You may find yourself changing your major or adding a minor. You may decide to do some volunteer work or try an internship in something that interests you. That is what is great about college – it’s a time to explore your options.

There are some great places on campus to discover your choices. Do you make use of the College Career Center? At SU, even after you graduate, you have access to this career resource. College Career Centers have connections with employers. They can help you update your resume, arrange a mock interview, and offer all types of career exploration workshops. Orangelink is SU's own web-accessible database system. It is a great tool that can help you plan for future employment. But don't wait until after graduation to use it. Orangelink can help you now!

Another thing to keep in mind is to go and talk with people who are doing what it is you want to do. You never know where those conversations might lead you. That is how I ended up being in a commercial for University College. I have always been interested in public relations work. One of my class assignments was to write a paper about someone who works in a career I was interested in. My first choice was the PR department at UC. It was there I interviewed Mary Beth. As we talked she inquired about my desire to go back to school later in life. Before I knew it she was interviewing me! A few months later she contacted me about being in UC's fall ad campaign. You can watch my commercial on the UC web site.

Just like a New Year, college can be a fresh start. A person is never too old to learn. I hope your New Year's resolution brings you one step closer to starting a degree or finishing the one you have. Plan to succeed and you can achieve anything, especially with education! Happy New Year!

Roxanne B