The transition into college or even life after college graduation comes fast for many and this change can be exciting, but also extremely daunting and stressful. Adulthood requires a vast collection of skills that standard educational courses and institutes rarely ever cover.
From analyzing benefit packages and filing taxes to car maintenance and emergency roadside readiness, learning how to navigate college and post-grad life can be a steep learning curve for many. Recognizing this large gap in education on adulthood independence, the Career Development Center continues to hold an event designed to help assist students in this large life transition.
“Adulting is Scary” is held each semester as an interactive workshop that brings together staff members, local community and other campus partners to help teach students many essential life skills. It is designed to help take the intimidation many students feel and provide them with the knowledge and guidance they need. The event offers multiple stations that range from live demonstrations to interactive breakouts on topics like personal budgeting, networking, food safety, meal preparation and automobile upkeep.
Brendan Guy, assistant director of employer relations, serves as one of the primary organizers behind this event. Having walked the same college paths as a student prior to joining the administrative team, Guy brings a distinct perspective to career coaching and student development as he mentors students.
The event structure allowed for students to rotate through hands-on modules that are catered to immediate post-college priorities. Financial literacy stations helped cover student loan repayment strategies, credit score management and investing principles. Health and wellness tables gave guidance on topics like meal prepping on an entry-level budget as well as navigating health insurance choices.
“All are practicing life skills that are learned, not inherently known,” Guy said. “All of these topics are learned skills. As a professional and an adult, I even learned from sessions.”
Among this variety of hands on tables, one demonstration repeatedly seemed to emerge as a crowd favorite. This was the tire changing demonstration. Students were able to watch and learn with a real car on how to correctly change a tire.
“Students seemed to be highly engaged with the tire changing demonstration,” said Guy. “This is likely because it’s the most immediately relevant topic. A tire can pop at any time without warning, whereas networking, for example, is a bit more focused and planned.”
The hands-on approach helped to cement “Adulting is Scary” as a very reliable event within the Career Development Center’s annual programming.
“This is a consistent program staple for the Career Development Center. Student attendance is high and stays high year after year,” Guy said.
To help boost student involvement as well as make sure participants can leave the event with physical tools for their own living spaces, the organizers integrate raffle prices. Students in attendance have the opportunity to win a range of practical adulting items like crock pots, utility carts, water bottles and more.
The fall workshop serves as the first part of the broader programming that is focused on student development in the academic year. In the spring semester, about 100 days before the graduation ceremony, the Career Development Center will host another event in hopes of assisting graduating seniors in their transition into post-grad life.
“In the spring, 100 days from graduation, we host a similar event called Senior Transitions, tailored for seniors graduating and life skills that will be beneficial to them post-grad,” said Guy.
While this event provides students with a one-day overview of essential life skills, the event is designed to help connect students with the different campus offices that are available to offer ongoing assistance throughout the academic year.
Any student looking on how to build professional connections or refine their elevator pitches, the Career Development Center is available to provide coaching, resume reviews and even employer networking events.
Students in need of guidance on managing time, academic resources or personal financial budgeting can seek support with the Learning Zone.
For any wellness and daily living resources, like food safety guidance and health education, are available through The Well which is located in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being.
By hosting and connecting interactive demonstrations with campus support systems, the Career Development Center hopes to ensure students can leave the event with not only immediate practical knowledge, but also with direct access to institutional guidance as they navigate their college years and prepare for their post-graduate lives.
