Keene Equinox

Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Jack Earl / Graphics & web editor KSC students will graduate with an average of $22,000 of debt, making money a major issue for students and their families.

On April 6, students and alumni gathered to participate in an agenda packed schedule of informative future information for soon to be graduates.

The "Lets Get Professional" workshop had a full agenda from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a keynote speaker, Winston Jenkins, from Mannersmith Consulting. Followed by this polished, professional update was separate sessions with useful topics such as 'painless networking', 'debt management', 'graduate school' and an 'insiders guide to recruiting.'

Academic and Career adviser Christine King feels that workshops like this are very important to college students.

"These topics cover many of the things you need to know to make the transition smoother after graduating college," said King.

Although the first speech talked ineptly about the corporate and professional workforce, it still can provide resources and communication ideas for those of other career choices.

"No matter what your major is you could benefit from this type of experience," said King.

At the end, Jenkins asked students to write her a note saying one thing they learned.

Senior Amanda Reynolds said, "I learned things I didn't know, but I was annoyed throughout the whole thing. It was very superficial and it's sad we have to conform to the corporate world."

Annoying as it may be, professionalism is something you need to have in any work culture.

The debt management session run by Keene State College alumni Tori Berube left some feeling appreciative yet nervous. Berube, who works for the NHHEAF organization put debt management into perspective by highlighting on Stafford loans, Perkins loans, repayment, grace period, forbearance and loan forgiveness, all of which will be directly affecting our lives if not now in the very near future.

"Student loans build your credit history. It's just like a car payment or an apartment lease," said Berube.

Berube stressed that the credit and money decisions we make right now will be playing a major role in students' lives in the next seven years.

"In the next seven years you will be buying homes, raising families, or buying cars," said Berube.

Continued...

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