Rising juniors (third year students who have at least 55 earned hours), in the next few days you will be officially reassigned to the School or College that houses your major. Your new advisor will be listed in your student center in LOCUS where you currently find my name

It’s so hard to say goodbye, from FSYA…

One sad advisor

But because it is in my nature, here is some parting advice ….

Get to know your new advisor! Just as, I, your advisor in FSYA, served to assist you with your transition from high school to college, your new School/College advisor will assist your transition toward graduation. Make an appointment with him/her either later this summer, or early in the fall to have a general meeting. During this meeting you can introduce yourself and go over your plans together.

Start working with your faculty advisor(s) regularly

If you have not met your faculty advisor yet, plan on doing it early in the fall. If you don’t know who your faculty advisor is (and one is not listed on your student center in LOCUS) call the dept of your major and ask to be assigned an advisor. If there is a professor that you already know and have worked with, you can ask him/her to serve in this position. If s/he is unable to, that does not mean s/he cannot be a great mentor!

Why you want to work with faculty:LUC has outstanding faculty! They are experts in their areas and can provide you incredible insights about your major and your plans for after graduation; and they can connect you to amazing opportunities of research or work that allows you to put what you’ve learned in the classroom into a “real-world setting.”

Also, at some point you will need a letter of recommendation or reference, and if a faculty member does not really know you, you should not ask him/her for one.

Visit the Career Development Center http://www.luc.edu/career/

Is your résumé ready to be reviewed by grad schools, internship sites and employers?

Have your post undergrad goals changed?

What exactly do you need to be thinking about and what actions should you be taking so that you can meet your goals?

These questions, plus more, can be answered by a Career Counselor. Call 773-508-7716 to get their fall walk-in hours. Or, enroll in the CPSY 224 course for more in depth preparation (See LOCUS for class details)

Create an E-PortfolioWhy not put your best work in one place so that you can easily promote your talents and share the hard work you put into your time at Loyola? I cannot think of one reason!

E-Portfolios allow you to demonstrate your skills and reflect on your growth. Employers and graduate schools will love to see tangible examples of how you will benefit their company, program or institution.

The Center for Experiential Learning can help you get started if you need it: http://www.luc.edu/experiential/eportfolio/about/

Google Yourself (use social media responsibly):

Have you entered your name into search engines online? Have you typed your name using quotes, i.e. “Lu Wolf”? If not, or not lately, you should do it now! Be aware of your online presence and be smart when posting ANYTHING online! Check privacy settings, but if you would not want the hiring manager of your dream job to see it, maybe you should not post it - at all!

That being said, social media can be a powerful networking tool! Create a LinkedIn account and Twitter account that has the purpose of being public and helping you network with current professionals in fields you might want to enter one day. You can be yourself, but just polite and appropriate. Feel free to follow me @katrinaweizer

Remember: It is never too late!!You still have time too….Get Involved. Go on a retreat, join a student org, audition for a play, join the Phoenix, rush a sorority or fraternity, get an on-campus job, become an RA, run for student govt., volunteer: Anything you have been putting off for ‘later,’ commit to do it in the fall! Don’t have any regrets when you walk across the stage.

Change Paths. While you may not have time to change majors, your major does not necessarily determine or limit the path you will “have” to take, anyway. Talking to your advisor, faculty advisors, a career counselor, and mentors can help you navigate your journey.

Keep in Touch!I love to hear what my former students are up to, so keep me posted! I know you are all capable of great success and I would love to celebrate all the great milestones you reach.

If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me. While I will not be your advisor anymore, I am a resource on campus that you can utilize. This does not mean that I am the appropriate person to contact with advising questions, but if other situations should arise where you feel like I can be of help, please let me know. I am always happy to help you in any way I can.

Be good/Be yourselfMake smart choices (need I say more?)!

Don’t compromise who you are! If you feel like you have to conform to somebody else’s standards, or cannot be yourself, then you are in the wrong place (physically, emotionally or spiritually).

Work hard and from a place of purpose. Nothing comes easy. NOTHING! If you are passionate about what you do though, it won’t seem like work.

Thank you!Thank you for trusting me with your transition to Loyola! Thank you for sharing your highs and lows, for making me laugh, and for challenging me to always try and do my best. Because of you, I know these words are true:

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ― Confucius

An advisor who is excited for the second-half of your journey