Goodbye student years. Hello alumni friends!

These last four years have been some of the best years of my life; college is an experience unlike anything else. It seems like just yesterday I was moving into Graham/Hewlett dorm and now I am preparing for Commencement just next week. Although the job market is quite frightening, I will take what I have learned with me throughout my future endeavors. Between my studies and social experiences I have gained the most invaluable education which helped shape me into the person I am today. I have learned much about responsibility, respect and determination, and many more of the skills that will assist my future in the professional world.

My internship with the UNCW Alumni Association has been unlike any other. I have not only had the opportunity to network with alumni professionals throughout the world, but also work with a truly amazing office. I have gained significant experience in marketing, writing and event planning. Through these experiences, I have developed into an educated individual, ready to conquer what comes next. The thought of graduating college is quite bittersweet; I am both excited to start a career but afraid to leave the comforts of college life. As I become an alumna, I will stay in touch with the university through the friendships and mentors I have established. I feel that I am ready to take the next step in life and see what the future holds.

Intern Diaries: Beginning the Job Search

As the Halloween decorations emerge, it has made me realize that this semester is flying by. Graduation is less than two months away, and the senioritis is growing increasingly difficult to overcome. Yet as the time passes most of my thoughts linger on how I will soon be entering into the professional world. While job searching can be overwhelming, I have already begun to apply for advertised positions in hopes of starting somewhere soon after graduation. With a communication studies degree, I hope to find work in Wilmington. Many of my friends graduated this May and while most of them are in grad school, the other’s who found work moved out of town. Yet I have confidence in my interpersonal skills and know that with hard work things will work out for the best. Through the assistance of college mentors, friends, family and the staff members here at the Alumni Office I feel less anxious as graduation quickly approaches.

This weekend is Family & Alumni Weekend and I am very excited to see the turnout for the Young Alumni Reunion. It will be nice to see individuals who were in my exact situation years ago and what they have done since leaving UNCW.  The reunion will be a great time, and it will be fun to have some drinks in Burney while listening to live music with my friends! If you’re interested in joining those already registered, today is the last day to register online or you can also get tickets at the door on Saturday. We’ll see you there!

UNCW Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow

I’m Chelsey, a UNCW student and new intern here at the Alumni Relations Office. I came to UNCW in the fall of 2006; and as a fifth year senior I am proud to say that I will be graduating in December! Graduating college... WOW, I cannot believe that my childhood dreams of being a college girl are about to end. Let me first say that I enjoy college and sometimes wish I could remain a student forever. I have wonderful friends, amazing mentors, a great sorority, and an awesome major in communications studies.

Chelsey Allen (right) with sorority sisters.

During my junior year, I contemplated adding a professional writing certificate to boost my journalism minor. All I needed was an internship and 2 credits, so I made a list of pros and cons. Ultimately, my plan was to earn my degree from UNCW then move to NYC and get some type of adult job that you see in the movies. After the economy shift and the reality that I will not be safely submerged in classes forever, I became nervous about my approaching graduation.  Deciding to add the writing certification eased my fear of graduation by giving me more time to figure things out, and making me more competitive in my field.

Job searching is a challenging time for fresh graduates and landing that first “real world” job can be especially daunting. Yet I know that with my ambitious nature and experiences through my internship, I will succeed. Stay tuned for more updates about the final months of life as a UNCW student and the transition to alumni!