While many seniors were sleeping the morning of Saturday, Feb. 21, there were a few who were jump-starting their future.
“L.I.F.E. After College: Explained!” was a three-hour seminar in the Iadarola Center that touched on everything from translating the first day at work, managing money and finding the right place to live.
“Our goal is to educate students, in an entertaining way, about mundane situations they would run into after graduation,” Jennifer Besse, seminar leader for CAP & Compass, said.
CAP & Compass was founded in 1999 by Jesse Vickey.
“Jesse went to Duke and when he graduated he moved to New York with a few friends. They all were specialized in different fields but found that everyone had their stricken points and this is why the book was created,” Besse said.
“Life After School. Explained” is the basis of the seminars being offered by the office of Students Engagement and Leadership. “This Saturday seminar was a combination of three L.I.F.E. series that we wanted to offer,” Anne Filippone, director of Student Engagement and Leadership, said.
“It’s definitely helpful information for the real world,” Mary Kate McKinley, senior finance major, said.
Students were rewarded for participation in questions and role-playing segments.
Kandace Keefer, senior English and communication major, was the bachelorette for the “renter’s dating game,” while three male students represented the available places for rent.
The purpose of the dating game was to decode the apartment lingo seen in ads.
“What’s important to know is that before you start renting you should really have three months rent already saved up,” Besse said.
“I’m clueless about apartments and credit cards and I’m hoping to use this info for when I graduate,” Keefer said. “I am [not] planning to move back with my parents.”
According to CollegeGrad.com, in 2008, 77 percent of graduates moved back home with their parents.
Many of these graduates moved back home because of the debt they acquired while in college.
“The average credit card debt of a college student is $2,100,” Besse said. “You have to love your money.”
College students need to not only love their money when in college but upon graduation and the workforce as well.
“There’s nothing sexy about a 401k, but it’s essential to know,” Besse said.
