Are you a senior concerned about all you have to do before you graduate? Are you interested in finding out about opportunities that might be available to you after graduation?
Take a deep breath, relax and head over to Destination Graduation, your resource and referral center, located in 100 Payson Smith Hall on the Portland campus.
Destination Graduation just opened this spring, under the direction of Larry Bliss, director of Career Services and Cooperative Education.
Mary Benson, assistant director of Career Services is eager to help students with any questions they might have about graduation. She said the idea was to have one central center for graduating students.
“It’s been something that I wanted to do for a long time, but it’s just now finally happened.”
Graduation Destination offers students direction regarding what needs to be done before graduation and also helps them prepare for life after graduation. This consists mainly of working with students on resumes and job searches. She provides them with information on job fairs and job listings.
Yao Chang, a senior communication major, said he hopes to find a job in sales and marketing after graduation.
He currently works as an assistant at Career Services and Cooperative Education.
“It’s kind of like the last stop for seniors before going into the real world,” said Chang.
The center functions best on a drop-in basis, but students can make appointments if they want to, said Chang.
Here are the things included on Destination Graduation’s checklist for graduating students:
– File Application for Degree (April 1st is the deadline for your name to appear in Commencement Bulletin).
– Participate in USM Job Fair in Sullivan Gym (April 10, 2002).
– Arrange for Exit Interview with Student Loans department, if you have student loans.
– Make sure all library fines, parking fees are paid.
– Get a free copy of your Immunization Record from University Health Services.
– Pick up change of address info from Career Services or Post Office.
– Complete a news release for your hometown newspaper.
– Contact the Alumni Office by calling (207) 780-4110 or e-mailing: [email protected] for information on Alumni benefits.
– Pick up free cap and gown in bookstore two weeks prior to commencement.
– Commencement: May 11th at Cumberland County Civic Center.
– Create new e-mail account if you previously had a USM one (it will be discontinued within one month after graduation).
– Complete a follow-up survey with your feedback about USM and your postgraduate plans (available in Career Services office).
– Check in with your academic department and organizations to inquire about end of year celebrations and activities for graduates.
– Consider purchasing certificates of appreciation from the Career Services office to thank people who have been supportive in your degree seeking efforts ($3 per certificate).
Staff Writer Missy Remillard can be contacted at: [email protected]