It takes more than a degree to succeed

by Caleb Fort

Daily Lobo

A diploma and a firm handshake might not be enough to guarantee success for college graduates.

The UNM Alumni Association will host a conference today to help prepare seniors for the real world.

The conference includes workshops on rÇsumÇs and managing time and money.

Tanya Campos, a Career Services manager, said there are two kinds of students when it comes to preparing for graduation.

"There's a group of students who know this information - maybe not to the extent that they should - but they could probably use a refresher or a reminder," she said. "Then there's a group of students who haven't even started thinking about this."

Seniors should not make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to prepare for their postcollege life, she said.

"There's so many things that they have to be doing as a senior," she said. "Unless there's a deadline coming up right now, it's easy to put it on the back burner. This conference is a good time to start thinking about these things before May."

The etiquette luncheon is full, but students who didn't sign up can still attend afternoon

workshops.

Senior Rosamond Stewart, who does not plan to go to the conference, said she is not prepared for life after college.

"Absolutely not," she said. "I've spent my whole life up to this point in the academic world."

She is most worried about money management, she said.

"I'm currently at least partially supported by my parents," she said. "It's a little worrisome to think about that ending, but it's not enough to really

frighten me."

Stewart attended a rÇsumÇ workshop offered by Career Services.

"I guess it was helpful," she said. "I learned things, but I don't know that I'm applying them."

About 150 people are signed up for the conference.

Susan MacEachen, a senior alumni relations officer, said the conference is a counterpoint to freshmen convocation.

"I think a lot of our seniors aren't recognized for the time they've put in, except for graduation," she said. "Freshmen get a lot of attention, but we know the seniors have done a great job getting their degrees. We want to give them

something to take with them out of the University."

MacEachen said the conference will teach students the importance of managing their money.

"It's important to graduate with a financial plan and good credit," she said. "A lot of employers actually look at students' credit reports as a behavioral pattern. I think a lot of students, if they had known that, would have been a little more careful with their spending."

The Bookstore will give away a cap and gown at the conference.

The association will give away gift certificates to Old Navy and Gap.

"That's to help students with their professional attire," MacEachen said.

Abbreviated schedule

of Senior Day

workshops in the SUB

1 p.m.

How to net from working it - Lobo A

Job search strategies - Lobo B

Time management - Fiesta A

2 p.m.

Developing a successful rÇsumÇ for the recent graduate - Lobo B

Stress management - Fiesta A

Rent vs. buy: Kiss your landlord goodbye - Acoma B

3 p.m.

Mastering interviewing skills - Lobo B

Graduating with a financial plan and good credit - Santa Ana A

Tackling graduate admissions tests - Santa Ana B

For more information, visit

UnmAlumni.com/seniorday2007