“T
he main response I get when I tell someone I’m
graduating is, ‘T at’s great! So what are you doing next?’ Well, to be quite honest, I don’t know. I’m currently deciding between continuing on to graduate school or taking a year off and doing some volunteering with local nonprofi ts. Trying to switch from academics to realizing there’s a life aſt er school is a new feeling, especially since I’m still academically focused. It’s kind of a scary feeling. I’m trying right now to take it day by day and focus on schoolwork. I think if I had a clearer picture of where I wanted to go aſt er college, it might be diff erent, but since I’m still unsure and trying to fi gure it out, it’s more stress than it’s worth, so I’m trying to focus on school and, when I can, talk to my advisers or some of the faculty I’m close with. It’s not completely on the back burner, but right now I’m trying not to let it overwhelm me. My support system here at EMU has been great about listening to my concerns
Facing New Prospects
We asked, “Graduating? Just graduated? How does it feel? What happens next?”
FACEBOOK
ROBYN BERNARD actively job searching. Super diffi cult.
Jennie ultimately wants to work at a nonprofit LGBT organization, but isn’t sure of her path to get there. After graduation she’s debating between going to grad school and taking a year off, and has no immediate plans for post-graduation employment.
HOLLY WIETECHA It feels weird to be graduated! It is defi nitely an adjustment! I’ve put so much time and energy into my nursing education and now it’s over! What happens next is I am taking my state boards to become a licensed RN! And hopefully get a job, which is get ing quite f ustrating!
MARY KOBROSSI I love not having to drive to EMU’s campus or deal with parking.
and confusion, and off ering advice. I appreciate that I’ve been able to become close to many of my professors and that they genuinely care about me. I will miss EMU very much. I have made many great friends and connections here. I found that what helped make EMU a home for me was get ing involved on campus. Joining student groups, and working at the LGBT Resource Center has given me one of the best families I could ever ask for. I have been able to meet so many people and listen to their stories. I have been able to make an impact on campus, and for that I am grateful. I’m enjoying my last semester. Even though I’m uncertain about where the future will lead me, I always think it’s bet er to do what you’re passionate about. If I’m happy, it’s worth more than the extra money.”
—Jennie Rokakis, Women and Gender Studies major, Nonprofi t Administration minor.
“A
ſt er high school, I’d made the decision to hold off on at ending college. Instead, I at ended Le Cordon Bleu: Scot sdale Culinary Institute in Scot sdale, Ariz. with the idea that I would work my way through college
making cupcakes. Although, I graduated near the top of my class, that career never materialized. I spent the next few years working outside that fi eld, fully aware that my life had certainly gone away from non-descript plan I had set in my head. By that time, I was nearly 21. Although I was only four years out of high school,
I had the distinct sense that my life would remain mundane until I took a risk. Six months and a lot of stress later, I was opening the doors to B104 Cornell Courts
Interview photographs by Jakob Skogheim
PORSCHE GRIFFIN Graduating in April as well. T ese past 5 1/2 years has been an amazing ride socially and academically. I’m defi nitely nervous as to what lies beyond April 28th, but I know that I am slowly but surely becoming more prepared for life aſt er.
JESSICA WOOTEN Graduating in April, I am so ready to be done, but extremely nervous at the same time. I have had such an amazing time at EMU!
DANIEL TURVEY, JR It feels great. Found an awesome job shortly aſt er graduation and defi nitely feel prepared for the challenges of the professional world. I’ve been able to contribute to a multi-billion dollar company in very creative ways that have been appreciated by many.
ZAINAB A JAFAR Graduated in December, it was an amazing expirence at EMU. It was a challenge but was worth it. I’ll be looking forward to return to EMU for graduate school!
STEPHANIE BROCK PRICE Graduating in April and can’t wait. Not sure what I am going to do with my extra time.
SARAH FOX Graduating in April, but will still continue my dialectal research. I love it and would be sad to see it end. T ere’s so many aspects that need to be explored yet.
NICHOLAS J MEISLING Awesome! I’m ready to start making money, instead of spending it!
Eastern | SPRING 2013 23
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