You’ve made it this far; now it’s time to finish out your college career strong. Showcase all that you’ve learned in your senior capstone class. Complete everything on the HPU traditions check list. Join the LinkedIn HPU alumni group and check out the PantherLink. Plan for your future. Commencement will be here before you know it!
To help make the most of your final months at High Point University, discover the five people you need to know on campus during your senior year:
1. Alumni office
The Alumni Office is your connection to campus after you graduate. They can connect you with other HPU alumni in your area, open doors for networking and job opportunities, provide social occasions, and keep you informed on events for graduates – both on campus and in your city. It’s a great way to stay connected to your alma mater even if you are halfway around the world.
“We plan social and networking events in several regions all over the United States and invite you back for exciting events such as Fall/Spring Concerts and Alumni Weekend,” says Hayley Harris, young alumni and student engagement officer. “We also oversee the coordination of senior week, and could even connect you to other alumni who could help you in your job search.”
2. Faculty mentor
With three years of classes under your belt, you’ve likely met a few professors who have served as mentors to you. A faculty mentor – especially one in the field you hope to pursue after graduating – can help connect you with other industry professionals, which greatly increases job prospects and opportunities. Your faculty mentor can also provide valuable “real world” insights, tips and tricks to stand out from the competition, and helpful recommendation letters for jobs and grad school applications.
“Here at High Point, we get the extraordinary opportunity to meet and teach some of the finest young people in the world,” says Larry Quinn, assistant professor of marketing. “After a long day in the classroom, I invariably go home not tired, but invigorated after some amazing experience with one or the other of my students. Working to help these students prepare to step out into society with confidence in their own goodness is truly a gift and a blessing.”
3. Career advisor
Your career advisor in Career and Professional Development wants to get to know you, help you identify interests and strengths, and offer powerful tools and resources to assist in your journey toward a fulfilling career path. The majority of students have already worked with a career counselor long before senior year to build their resumes and gain internships. This year, they can help you develop a job search action plan and timetable for these last few months leading up to graduation. They can also help you polish your resume, create targeted cover letters, understand your personality type and deal with the stressors that come with choosing a profession. And if graduate school is your choice, they can help you with paperwork and admissions requirements.
“One of the most surprising things about the senior job search is how time-consuming it can be, especially during an already busy academic year,” says Bridget Holcombe, director of Career and Professional Development. “Students who meet with our office early to develop target lists of both networking contacts and potential employers will have more success finding meaningful post-graduation employment. Our team does a great job of customizing an action plan specific to you and your areas of interest – we are here to support you in this complex process!”
4. Librarian
By the time you’re a senior, you’ve likely written a few research papers for different classes; libraries on campus can provide valuable resources as you prepare to write your final papers. HPU librarians can help you discover databases, help with your capstone project or work with you to properly cite a paper. You can also use Media Services to edit a movie, check out a camera, prepare and print a high quality image or work on a presentation.
The Herman H. and Louise M. Smith Library is open 24/7 and serves as a welcome place for you to study, read and write, anytime during the day or night. During exam week, other library locations across campus are open 24 hours as well.
“The library staff at HPU are dedicated to academic excellence and we are delighted to partner with you in that process,” says David Bryden, director of library services.
5. Dean
The dean of your school, like your faculty mentor, is invaluable. He or she can provide recommendation letters, career advice, and can consider your feedback to help structure your program for future students. Each dean at HPU is extremely student-focused and will do whatever they can to help you.
You may want advice on planning your class schedule, or you might want to work with your dean on a research project. Or, you could meet with your dean to plan an internship, participate in a mock interview, receive industry-specific insight, or simply to chat or get life advice. The possibilities are endless.
“The students at HPU are what make my job so rewarding,” says Dr. Jim Wehrley, dean of the Earl N. Phillips School of Business. “They recognize and appreciate that the faculty and staff have their best interests and success at heart, and they respond to our partnership with significant personal and professional growth.”