As one chapter ends, another one begins

As slowly as spring arrived this year, it didn’t appear to impact the speed of the semester. In fact, it seems like only yesterday I was welcoming you back to campus for the start of the 2012-13 academic year — the final year at Bloomsburg for more than 1,300 of you. I even remember welcoming you to the university as wide-eyed freshmen in August 2009. I was beginning my second full year as president, and you were getting your first taste of independence.

And here we are … in a few days, you will embark on a new chapter of life. In a way, it’s a new level of freedom for you. It may seem scary. It may appear somewhat stressful and you may be anxious. It’s natural to wonder what’s next.

But what comes next will be an exciting journey for you. You’re Huskies. You’ve successfully navigated numerous challenges, ending with a tremendous accomplishment of earning a college degree; many of you are the first in your family to reach this goal. A Bloomsburg University education brings with it many advantages and as the Class of 2013 you’ve already set the standard.

This is the largest graduating class in the history of the university and includes the highest number of honors graduates and graduates from the Presidential Leadership Program. I have been impressed by the Class of 2013’s level of engagement during four years in Bloomsburg. You exemplify the high-quality Bloomsburg students who become future leaders, graduating with honors and with great levels of achievement.



Our students, your class in particular, took advantage of the many opportunities we offer. In fact, you ran with it. Yours is the first class to grow up with The Big Event, which coincidently is coming off its most successful campaign ever with more than 1,700 active volunteers. Your future is bright, but I must admit … it’s going to be competitive.

You’ll need to show some patience out there. Apply to multiple jobs. Take multiple interviews. Be prepared to accept a job that may not be your dream job, even one that’s located away from the comforts of your hometown. If you work hard enough, remember the values you developed here and maintain that tremendous Husky spirit, you will end up with that dream job.

To the Class of 2013, best wishes. Now, unleash your inner Husky on the world.

Getting a jump-start on the professional world

Proficient graduates with the ability to apply practical knowledge their first day on the job are in high demand by employers.

Yet, classroom knowledge alone is not sufficient to fully develop these skills. Internships and experiential learning opportunities lend the polish young graduates need to be successful as they begin their careers. To meet the demand for graduates who can compete in the new economy, Bloomsburg University developed Professional U.

Professional U is a new program which engages students, alumni and organizational partners in experiences to foster career maturity and lead to personal and professional success. The program merges the offices of alumni affairs and academic internships to provide students with career-related experiential learning opportunities each year they are enrolled at BU.

The newly formed Office of Alumni Engagement and Affairs and Academic Internships will partner with faculty to provide experiences that complement the academic preparation students receive in the classroom. The goal is to ensure every Bloomsburg University student graduates with relevant work experience and a professional network — two key factors in securing meaningful employment or admission to a post-graduate or professional school.

Peer career pilots

New this semester at the Career Development Center (CDC) were career pilots — student leaders who provide basic career-related guidance on topics such as résumé and cover letter composition, interview preparation and career exploration.

The CDC co-sponsored an inaugural Senior Transitions Conference this semester to help improve or enhance learn key skills they will need following graduation. Sessions included:

• What to Wear and What Not to Wear to the Job Interview
• Networking
• Dining Etiquette and Mock Interviews with HR Representatives
• Evaluating the Job Offer and Benefits Package
• Credit and FICO Scores and Office Politics 101. 

The overnight conference in Williamsport was a collaborative effort between Lycoming College, Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield and Susquehanna universities.