By Samuel Carignan – Contributing Writer
UMF Career Services is organizing “Graduate School and Other Post-College Opportunities Month”, a month long event to help upperclassmen transition to post-graduation life. This October, students can visit several speakers whose talks will focus either on graduate school or employment opportunities.
The program is designed to help guide students towards a career path, whether that be graduate school, employment, or a service oriented program. UMF students will have the opportunity to speak with graduate school representatives from UMaine, Colby, Bates, Simmons and Husson. Employment and service opportunity presentations will be given about the Peace Corps, Fulbright and Teach In Alaska.
Cyndi McShane, who works in the Center for Student Development as a Career
Counselor and one of the key people involved in creating Graduate School Month, is hopeful that students will learn more about themselves and their next steps.
“The great thing about a liberal arts degree is that it prepares you for a variety of outcomes,” said McShane.
Ashley Hinkley, a UMF senior majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education, is one of hundreds of students who will need to be looking at what to do post-UMF. Her current goals are “[to find] a job teaching somewhere in the state of Maine, possibly getting my masters, and moving out of my mom’s house.”
Students have real concerns about what will happen after their undergrad journey at UMF. “The (education) field is so tight that it is going to be difficult, and I might get discouraged,” said Hinkley.
As an Education major, Hinkley wishes that the events could be more helpful for future educators. “They already provide job fairs and internship opportunities, so it would be nice for UMF to bring in teachers to come in and chat,” said Hinkley. “I would want to know what the first year of teaching is like, and the best ways I can go about getting a job.”
Career Services believes that the Graduate School and Other Post-College Opportunities Month will be helpful for many UMF students.
“It is [our] goal for students to leave our events with a desire to explore their options,” said McShane.
McShane also recommends setting up a one-on-one meeting with a career counselor to help with post-graduate plans.
“We want them to know they can be supported through this process,” says McShane.
For a full list of events, you can find posters and bulletin boards on campus, or contact a Career Services employee.
To reach out, or find out more information in general, visit their webpage at http://www2.umf.maine.edu/careers/.