Keuka College graduates enter the working world with solid academic credentials and real-world experience. A new weeklong series is intended to augment those benefits by focusing on complementary soft skills.
Called “Adulting 101,” the sessions, which will be held twice each day from April 3-7, are designed to support students’ career growth, financial know-how, and mental health as they prepare for the world outside Keuka College.
“This can be a scary transition for students, and we want to help make it easier,” said Assistant Director of Career Development Meredith Richel, who organized the series. “Having worked with seniors and recently having taught a unit of career skills for the Humanities and Fine Arts capstone, I know that this information very much helps students, but that they haven’t always made time for it in light of their academic or social responsibilities.”
The one-hour sessions are wide-ranging, with topics covering debt management, mental health, job-search strategies and resources, positive workplace habits, and coping with stress and burnout. They’ll be held in KC 133 in Keuka Commons and led by Meredith, along with members of the College’s Office of Health and Counseling Services, and financial advisor William Henry of the Edward Jones firm.
And while they’re especially pertinent for seniors, all students are welcome to attend. There’s even a Zoom link for Evening and Online students.
Meredith said the programming was created partially in response to feedback from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, which found that new graduates feel underprepared to handle the transition from student to working professional.
“That only makes sense,” she added. “They’ve only ever known being a student since they were five years old. This will be a completely new experience!”
The complete course list follows:
Adulting 101: Supporting Your Career, Financial, and Mental Health
April 3-7 (Sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12:15-1:20 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.; on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.)
All events will be in KC 133. Students are welcome to bring food from the Wolf Den Café. All sessions led by Meredith Richel unless otherwise noted.
Monday, April 3
12:20-1:15 p.m.: Selling Your Skills
What are employers looking for in a candidate? What skills did you learn from your Field Periods®, part-time jobs, liberal arts, and major-based classes? What are you especially good at doing, and how do you convey that to an employer?
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Job Search Strategies and Resources
While Indeed is a good resource, there are more out there that you’re missing – and likely missing out on cool jobs because of it! Learn how to optimize your job search and take advantage of other great resources.
Tuesday, April 4
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Budgeting, Credit Cards, Debt, and Saving for the Future
Guest Speaker: William Henry, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones.
Feel overwhelmed with budgeting and debt? Feel like there’s no way you could ever save for the future? Join William Henry, a financial advisor at Edward Jones, to talk about ways to improve your budgeting skills, pay off your debt, and plan for future goals.
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Coping with Stress, Avoiding Burnout, and Achieving a Work-Life Balance
Guest Speaker: Members of the Keuka College Office of Health and Counseling Services.
Achieving a work/life balance is hard in modern society, and the workplace brings its own set of stressors. Learn how to better adapt to a new environment and how to balance your responsibilities and personal life in a way that optimizes happiness.
Wednesday, April 5
12:20-1:15 p.m.: Lifestyle Choices and Financial Impact
Do you have a sense of what kind of salary you need to live the lifestyle that you want to live? Do you know how your lifestyle may be impacted by where you live? Join this session to learn more about how to make appropriate choices for the lifestyle you want to live and how your occupation of choice can support it.
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Achieving a Sense of Belonging at Work and Seeking Out Support Systems
Guest Speaker: Members of the Keuka College Office of Health and Counseling Services.
Just as it was when you came to College, as you enter the workforce, your support systems change and a sense of belonging can feel like a challenge. Let the Health and Counseling Center help – learn how to find support as a working adult and build confidence in a new environment.
Thursday, April 6
12:30-1:30 p.m.: How to Impress at the Interview
Interviews make everyone nervous – even professionals who have done it for years! Ease your worries about interviewing with this overview of how to best impress at your next interview.
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Budgeting, Credit Cards, Debt, and Saving for the Future (repeat from Tuesday, April 4)
Friday, April 7
12:20-1:15 p.m.: Negotiating Salary and Benefits
What are benefits, and how do they factor into your job offer? How do you know if the job offer you receive is a good one, and how do you advocate for yourself if it’s not? Learn the basics of how to evaluate a job offer and how to use research towards negotiating a better deal.
5:30-6:30 p.m.: How to Impress at the Interview (repeat from Thursday, April 6)
