Alumni Advice: Embracing Senior Spring
Spring break is over, and the end of the semester is coming up quick! While it can be tempting for seniors to slide to the finish line, the last weeks and months before graduation are so valuable. We asked alumni “What advice do you have for graduating seniors hoping to make the most of their final months at St. Thomas?” You can learn from these words of wisdom below!
Interested in getting more alumni advice? Search for alumni on St. Thomas Connect who have volunteered to support your career journey.
“Really take the time to be intentional in forming relationships with your peers, professors, faculty, and the wider St. Thomas community. The network you cultivate at St. Thomas can play an important role in facilitating post-graduate success as well as life-long friendships that last well after your graduate.”
Eshan Varma
“Breathe. Connect with your close friends, those that are more your acquaintances, and those you’ve shared your major(s) with the past several years. Stay in touch. Get contact information if you do not have it. And enjoy the last few months – you’ve accomplished a lot!“
Derek Zobel
“Show confidence, know and emphasize your strengths. Be realistic recognizing that the achievable goals you set for yourself cannot be accomplished all at once.”
Thomas Egan
“If you are feeling the natural tendency to ease up on the accelerator with the end is in sight just as the great spring weather arrives, re-commit to the college and campus experience for your last few months, whether it’s spending more time looking around as though you just arrived, eating more meals on campus, lingering a bit longer in idle conversation, or meeting new people. Reflect on all the people who helped and supported you along the way, and go say thank you. And, spend some time alone in the chapel reflecting on and praying about where you’ve been and where you’re headed. Congratulations, and best wishes for you future.”
Marc Shrake
“Celebrate your amazing accomplishment. Believe in yourself and don’t compare yourself to others.”
Nancy Weidenfeller, Ed.D.
“Make a plan on how you are going to finish out the semester strong and outline what the steps you will take to get you to the next phase after graduation.”
Kim Verros
“Get contact information from as many of your classmates as possible. Check-in occasionally. You never know who might be a business partner down the road.“
Tom Fischer
“Clarify your values when charting your course. What matters most? What will you not tolerate? For example, you value financial stability but will not tolerate an abusive or hostile work environment.“
Daniel Thorman
“Take time to reflect! You’ve made it this far, celebrate your wins!“
Sarah Ford
“Be humble.”
Terry Sullivan
“Become an expert in more than one area or skill both at work and volunteering. You’ll need a backup plan in case your main skill job has low demand. Keep learning and training. Do weekly/monthly job searches even if you have a job. This will give you an idea of what employers are looking, get all the certificates and ask you current employer to pay for them. Join toastmasters and practice public speaking even if your job is technical and non-customer facing. Keep doing all these things until you are ready to retire.”
Alom Walters
