The time has arrived to pursue that degree program but ask yourself, afterwards, what next? Get a job, start a business, manage an enterprise are the obvious choices. College is actually a conduit through which we acquire necessary skills for the future. The working world usually requires we work in teams, groups, supervise someone or be supervised ourselves. The basic fact is we need to develop that good human interaction and network to equip us to land that dream job. At this college stage how can we accomplish this?
It can start at the North Campus or Central Campus Recreational Center, which are good places to interact while enjoying what you love. Be it playing squash with an unfamiliar face, forming a completely random basketball team, swimming, ice skating for the first time at Yost Arena, frisbeeing at the diag, playing soccer at the Mitchell Field or the Fire Station Field in Northwood, you are able to connect with people from all walks of life. Partaking in sports is a great way to meet new people.
Religious bodies and groups offer us the basic spiritual needs to grow in addition to a practical way of fellowshipping with others who share our faith. Friends made from this place serve as a good source of motivation and encouragement when you are feeling down as you journey through the meandering path of college with unseen obstacles. They honestly intend to help you out by linking you with others to aid and assist you in one area or the other.
The coffee shop (Americans do enjoy their espresso and cappuccino) is an excellent way to totally meet random people and chat with ‘strangers.’ It’s such a serene atmosphere where the pressures and stresses of academic work are virtually non-existent, at least for most people. So for those who don’t love coffee, start altering those taste-buds as soon as possible.
From an academic perspective, the classroom, research lab or your cohort tend to be your nuclear family. You even tend to form a stronger bond with them as you near graduation. Since you’re all in pursuit of academic excellence and transferring you knowledge to the real world, it’s always a win-win affair for everyone.
These are but a few things you can do to get started. Camping with friends during weekends, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, study abroad programs, clubs and societies, etc. are other options. Social groups exist in abundance on campus. Just check out Maize Pages to verify. So start connecting and networking as soon as possible.
Written By: Robert Lawson, Masters Student in Aerospace Engineering
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