As time is dwindling before the university’s December commencement ceremony, approximately 111 graduate and undergraduate students will soon be starting their lives after exiting the Bona bubble.
There are three commencement ceremonies throughout the year, in August, December and May.
The December commencement, taking place on Saturday the 17th, provides students that finish their requirements in the fall semester to graduate early.
Nate Discavage, a senior journalism and mass communication major, expressed that he is excited to start the next chapter in his life after the December ceremony, but he is nervous to go out on his own into the work world.
Searching for jobs is a tough task, and Discavage believes Bonaventure has adequately prepared him for his employment search.
“St. Bonaventure has definitely prepared me to find a job,” said Discavage. “In my time here, I have learned to work with broadcast, radio and print media, opening my options even wider in my job hunt. Professors have also helped me learn how to market myself properly.”
Among the services offered to students to help prepare for life after Bona’s is the Career and Professional Readiness center.
According to the University website, the CPRC offers innovative programming and comprehensive services that help students explore and clarify career goals, prepare and compete for the opportunities they seek and establish a solid foundation upon which to build their careers.
Pamela Ferman, assistant director at the CPRC, simply describes their services as “figuring it out.”
She explained her department helps students dig, find what they want in the future and find what they have to offer to employers.
According to an article on the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the top five attributes sought by businesses in applicants are leadership, ability to work in teams, written communication skills, problem solving and verbal communication.
The CPRC tackles those workforce needs by focusing on seven main competencies when helping students develop themselves professionally.
Those competencies are critical thinking, oral and written communication, teamwork, information technology application, leadership professionalism and career management.
“I work with a lot of students and nothing feels better than seeing their progress and their hard work come into fruition,” said Ferman. “The biggest reward for me, personally, is having a student come back express they landed a job, and they love where they are working.”
The CPRC is located on the second floor of the Reilly Center, and they encourage students, whether they are freshmen or seniors, to stop by their office and ask them any career questions.
fieldsbj14@bonaventure.edu
