With graduation quickly approaching, seniors are scrambling to complete their final classes and figure out the next steps for their post-graduation plans.
Graduate School
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors are applying for jobs, internships or getting ready for graduate school. Fortunately, most graduate schools do not have any official plans to cancel in-person classes for the fall semester. This serves as promising news for Alexa Zimbelman, ’21. Zimbelman will be attending the University of Iowa after graduation to further her studies in psychology.
“I am going to be part of the Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Area in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Additionally, I am going to be a part of Dr. Ryan LaLumiere’s lab, researching the neural circuits mediating motivated behavior with a focus on drug addiction,” said Zimbelman.
Despite COVID-19 cutting the 2019-2020 school year short, students like Zimbelman were able to benefit from their time at NCC. Zimbelman said over the past three years she had several opportunities to learn and grow her passions.
“I had the opportunity to work in the labs of Doctors Gill and Stefanik. During my time in their labs, I saw how my interest in neuroscience and my passion to help others could be combined in the laboratory setting. I am so thankful for the incredible mentorship and opportunities I received from my professors at NCC that helped influence, motivate and direct me toward pursuing graduate school,” said Zimbelman.
Full-time Job
With some students heading off to graduate school, in or out of state, there is also plenty of hope for students moving forward with jobs in their preferred industry, including Matt Hehl, ‘20.
Hehl is a Broadcast Communications student. Throughout his four years at NCC, Hehl has worked at the college’s radio station, WONC. Hehl plans to move forward in the broadcasting industry post-grad, despite the current setbacks of COVID-19.
“To my knowledge, there’s still a job for me when COVID-19 is over. But, anything can change on a moment’s notice. For now, I’m doing what I can to stay busy and if I have to change my plan, then it is what it is,” said Hehl.
Unfortunately, the job market is taking a toll. Many companies are halting standard hiring processes, which may add uncertainty and anxiety for graduating students seeking full-time jobs or internships. This stress is added on top of preparing for larger monthly expenses, such as rent and student loan payments.
“The initial plan was to start my new job part-time, finish school, transition to full-time, live at home for one or two years, pay off my loans with the money I am not spending on rent and then living the rest of my life without $30,000 of debt hanging over my head,” said Hehl.
Licensure
Despite 40-hour work weeks or graduate school classes, life after college still has plenty of potential for students. Opportunities to give back to their communities and get more involved with the current events are abundant. Bashaer Diab, ‘20, plans to get her Arabic translators license and work with an organization or government agency. Her goal is to help refugees with their transition to living in the U.S.
“Helping others is a passion of mine and through that effort, I hope to make a difference in someone’s life,” said Diab.
COVID-19 has caused a disruption to traditional workplaces, classrooms and large gatherings. But, NCC’s Class of 2020 will still be recognized for their academic achievements. The College will host a Virtual Commencement on May 3 at 2 p.m.
Additionally, an email was sent out to the College community stating that there would be an alternate date established for an in-person Class of 2020 ceremony. The date is to be determined, but the options are August, October or December. Seniors will have the option to vote for when that ceremony will take place. Once the alternate date is finalized, students will be notified.
