The Daily Illini: Grad Guide 2016

Monday, May 2, 2016 The Daily Illini | www.DailyIllini.com2

Cap & gown distributionIf you ordered academic attire for Commencement, it will be distributed at the ARC (Multipurpose Room #5 for graduate students and #6 for under-graduate students) at the following times:

Wednesday, May 11 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 12 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday, May 13 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 14 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 15 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

#ILLINOIS2016

illinois.edu/commencement

commencement

Graduate School of Library & Information Science

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Master of Science in Information Management

Become an expertCustomize your degree based on career interestsEngage with our world-class facultyChoose from professional pathways:

Graduate School of Library & Information Science

Change the worldDesign and manage information systemsDevelop innovative solutions to information needsContribute to the well-being of society

• data science and analytics • privacy, twrust, security, and ethics• information architecture and design• knowledge management and information

consulting

For Fall 2016 admission, preference is given to applications submitted by June 10, 2016; however, we will accept applications as long as space is available.

http://go.illinois.edu/msim63

The Daily Illini | www.DailyIllini.com Monday, May 2, 20163

WOULD LIKE TO

CONGRATULATEOUR 2016

GRADUATES

www.hendrickhouse.com 904 W. Green St. Urbana 217-365-8000

DERICKCARNAZZOLA

RENNYHAYES

ALEXISMARCH

ALEXIUSNEVLING

AARON RUDERMAN

KELSEY YUEN

JAMESBUTLER

CHRISRIENKE

JEFFREYPEKOSH

HARSHILKAMDAR

PRABHATREDDY

217-298-0523KLATTPROPERTIES.COM

Studios 1 bedroom loft 2 bedrooms

3 bedrooms Houses on campus

from $600from $735from $850from $999from $375/br

BEST VALUE

SUPPLEMENTS EDITORISABELLA JACKSONASSISTANT SUPPLEMENTS EDITORBROOKS BERISHEDITOR-IN-CHIEFMASAKI SUGIMOTOMANAGING EDITOR FOR REPORTINGMICHAL DWOJAKCREATIVE DIRECTORHANNAH AUTENDESIGN EDITORMICHELLE TAMASSISTANT DESIGN EDITORJACOB SINGLETONCOPY CHIEFSSAMANTHA SKIPPERCAITLIN BREMNERPUBLISHER LILYAN LEVANT

Email [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTS STAFF

Friday, May 13Native American House: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Location: Illini Union, in Illini Rooms A, B & CThis is a congratulatory program recognizing graduating Native American students. (Reg-istration closed April 8)

Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultur-al Center Black Congratulatory Ceremony: 7:00-9:00 p.m.Location: 100 George Huff Hall (1206 South Fourth St., Champaign)This is a formal event honoring graduating African American Students. (Registration closed February 26)

La Casa Cultural Latina: 7:00-9:00 p.m. Location: Foellinger Great Hall at Krannert Center for the Performing ArtsThis program will honor graduating Latina/Latino students. (Registration closed April 1)

Saturday, May 14Campuswide Commencement Ceremony: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.Location: Memorial StadiumJeff Huber, CEO of Grail, will be the speaker at this year’s Commencement.

President’s and Chancellor’s Reception: Noon-1:30 p.m. Location: The President’s House (711 W. Flor-ida Ave., Urbana)All graduates and their families are invited to attend this reception hosted by the President and Chancellor.

University Library Hours: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Location: Main LibraryThe fi rst fl oor of the library will be open for the public to view the University Honors Bronze Tablets.

GradFest 2016 - University of Illinois Alumni Association: 2:00-5:00 p.m. Location: Alice Campbell Alumni Center (601 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana) This is a Commencement party open to all graduates. There will be food, prizes and live music.

Monday, May 16Tri-Service ROTC Commissioning Ceremony: 10:00-11:30 a.m. Location: Foellinger Auditorium This formal event, hosted by the Military Edu-cation Council, is open to the public.

[email protected]

Commencement 2016: Schedule of EventsBY MARIA RUBIN DE CELIS STAFF WRITER


Extra year helps senior achieve goals

BY RABIA ILYASSTAFF WRITER

Taking pictures and exchanging good-byes with Alma Mater in the honorary blue gown is an image that every Illinois student dreams of, but for some, it takes more than four years of college to achieve.

Kenya Ansah, senior in Engineering, has taken an extra year to achieve this dream, but her time here has made her more than ready to move on and carry the pride of being an alumnus from the University of Illinois.

For Ansah, staying an extra year at the University was not an choice, but rather was a requirement in order to graduate. As an incoming freshman, Ansah was admit-ted directly into Electrical Engineering in the College of Engineering.

“I took Project Lead the Way courses in high school that exposed me to engineer-ing and I was sure that I wanted to pursue it in college,” she said.

Adjusting to college was difficult for Ansah, but she made use of office hours and other resources on campus that helped her succeed in her classes.

However, during her junior year, Ansah found it difficult to keep up her grades and work ethic during due to deaths within her family.

“I lost both my mother and grandmoth-er within a three month period and it was very difficult for me to concentrate on my grades and my mental health while being financially independent,” she said.

As a result, she fell behind in her courses and struggled to keep balance in her life.

“My advisors were hesitant about my passion for graduating from the College of Engineering and asked me multiple times if I wanted to change my major,” Ansah said, “I knew that I wanted to do engineer-ing and taking an extra year to graduate did not bother me because I would not set-tle for anything less than what I wanted.”

Her resilience and drive to succeed in the field is what has motivated her the most.

In fact, Ansah is not only utilizing her extra year to take on a full course load, but also to gain professional develop-mental skills pertaining to the field. She is currently working at Ameren, a pow-er company that provides lighting to Urbana-Champaign.

“The extra year has not only allowed me to gain more professional skills related to my work area, but it has also given me time to discover myself,” she said.

Working a part-time job and simultane-ously taking on a heavy course load is dif-ficult for many students. Ansah maintains a healthy balance to navigate through the stress.

“It was hard, at first, to find that right balance between friends and work, but from my experiences, I have learned that maintaining balance is my utmost priority because it keeps me sane,” she said.

Ansah has thoroughly enjoyed working at Ameren and hopes to carry this same passion to her future workplace at Eaton in Chicago, where she will be working as a power systems engineer after gradua-tion. Although she is very grateful for the opportunity and excited to be a fully func-tioning adult, she still has fears like any other normal college graduate.

“My greatest fear about my future job is being put into a fixed box and not being able to move or progress. I do not see the power industry as a long-term goal,” Ansah said, “My degree is in electrical engineer-ing and I want to be able to someday own my own business and go into consulting.”

Ansah’s boyfriend, Andre Hunter, a 2015 graduate of the University, has no doubt in his mind that Ansah will achieve her goals.

“I expect Kenya to enter the workforce and one day hold an executive position and own her own business,” he wrote in an email.

In addition to her career-oriented goals, Kenya also hopes to travel the world and open up a community center in Chicago. Her study abroad experience in Cape Town, South Africa last winter changed her per-spective about people and culture. As for the community center, Kenya hopes to give back.

“I want to open up a center where chil-

dren can hone-in on their skills and talents to achieve something big. I grew up my whole life without ever hearing about the engineering profession until high school. I want young girls to have the knowledge to discover their interests and to pursue these interests,” Ansah said.

Her younger sister, Tiffany Thorne, shares similar beliefs.

“Kenya is tenacious, a conqueror, she is triumphant, forever optimistic, and tru-ly capable of surmounting any obstacle,” Thorne said.

Securing a job, studying abroad, and overcoming adversity are amongst the many accomplishments that Ansah has strived to achieve, and she will graduate from the University proud of her time here.

“Things always work out in the end,” Ansah said, “Never give up on something you love doing.”

[email protected]

Fifth-year senior pursued engineering despite challenges

DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTOThe front of the ECE Building in the Engineering Quad at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign on September 19, 2014.

“I knew I wanted to do engineering and taking an extra year to graduate did not bother me.”KENYA ANSAH

GRADUATING FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR


Leave the parking to us Free Commencement ShuttleSaturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15

Catch a shuttle anywhere along the route and ride to:

• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts • Foellinger Auditorium • Huff Hall • Memorial Stadium • Alice Campbell Alumni Center

The Commencement shuttle will service locations throughout campus: Saturday, May 14 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday, May 15 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Visit commencement.illinois.edu for route information.

#ILLINOIS2016

commencement You are braver than you believe,

stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2016 FROM DAILYILLINI.COM

BY VICTORIA SNELLSTAFF WRITER

D ear friends,I’ve finally made

it. Within days, I will either be sharing the excite-ment in walking across the graduation stage with you, or leaving you at Alma Mater to continue with your own goals and visions.

When all of this is over, I may keep in touch with you on a daily basis … I may only see you on special occasions or visits back to campus … or sadly, I may never see you again.

There is, however, one simi-larity that you all share: You have helped me become the person who will be receiving her diploma on May 14.

I know it might sound over-ly sentimental and it might not seem like a big deal, but it is to me.

Being a transfer student, I found it diffi cult to make friends, but your accepting and open personalities gave me the confi dence that I need-ed during my transition away from home.

So, I mean it when I say that I appreciate each and every one of you. Whether we’ve drifted during our time here or talk every day, your advice and support kept me here when being so far away from home was diffi cult. It kept me here whenever I broke down because I was stressed beyond

belief.To all of my professors:

Thank you for constantly pushing me out of my shell and forcing me to dig deeper, even when I was too frustrated with you. Thank you for showing me that there is always room for improvement, but reassur-ing me when I was just being hard on myself.

Thank you for teaching me about people, places, issues and subjects that I had never even heard of. And thank you for teaching me new skills and sharing your personal stories and advice for when I move on from here.

To my friends: thank you. Thank you for helping me lug camera equipment from one side of campus to the other. Thanks for proofreading my stories and letting me bounce ideas off of you when I was having severe writer’s block.

Thank you for taking the time to text me or call me when I had a rough day to make sure that I knew my worth. And thank you for com-ing to me for advice and trust-ing me with your own stress-es, worries and excitements.

I’m going to miss the late night editing sessions—ask-ing each other for advice on our video packages. I’m going to miss the laughter and jokes during times of high stress and anxiety, and I will even miss our tears during times of failure. And I will defi nite-

ly miss the smiles and praise when one of us achieves some-thing great.

But the best thing about support is that it can be felt from anywhere.

So my promise to you is this: Whether life keeps us in touch—or it pulls us apart, I will always support you. I will always be there for advice, a reference or even just to be a listener.

We may be closing one chapter, but we have so many more to fi ll. If you want me there, chances are the feel-ing is mutual. Don’t be afraid to call, text or message me … no matter how long it’s been.

You’ve become a sec-ond family, and the impact you’ve had on me is worth well beyond the years that we’ve spent here.

As with everything, time has and will continue to change us. But the one thing that will remain the same is the memories that you’ve giv-en me.

And although it’s sad to think that these daily rituals will eventually become faded memories, the foundation of our relationship will always be there.

I can’t wait to see where life takes you. And I hope that you’re just as excited to share your new stories with me as I am with you.

[email protected]

To the people I’ve met, from a graduating senior

The people I’ve met have been beyond wonderful.

There’s nothing more important than loving the people around you, and I can say with certainty that I do.

I’ve met people who inspired me, encour-aged me when I saw nothing in myself and who I’ve made memories with that I’ll never forget.

My friends have allowed me to vent about dreaded ECON exams, have laughed at my unfunny jokes and have had my back when I didn’t stand up for myself. I’ll never forget any of the won-derful things they’ve all done for me.

I remember one of the biggest things that surprised me about college was how kind everyone was. There wasn’t the same atmosphere of cliques that I had hated in high school. That’s not to say everything’s perfect; I do believe there should be more interaction between dif-ferent people, but I can defi nitely sense a generally cordial atmosphere among my peers.

Take the time to get to know the people sitting next to you in your classes. Chanc-es are that’ll lead to awesome friendships.

Your choice of major can help you fi nd yourself.

Nothing has empowered me and given me more purpose than realizing my love of journalism. It has allowed me to focus on my goals and what I need to do to get where I want to go. It’s such a huge part of who I am, and I’m thankful for having joined this fi eld.

Once you fi nd a major and life path that’s the right fi t for you, you’ll be more driven, and the people in your life will be there to support you every step of the way when they see your dedication.

Bottom line: do what you love. It’ll show in the quality of your work.

Our student body has the power to bring positive changes.

I’ve seen the most powerful, unifying statements chalked on the Quad. (I’ve also seen some pretty hateful stuff, but I like to believe the positive is stronger than the negative.) I’ve watched students protest for causes they deeply believe in. I’ve heard people speak up for the voiceless.

I’m so proud our student body has

worked so hard to bring much-needed change to our campus and to the world. The battles may be long and an end may not be foreseeable at the moment, but I hope everyone who is fi ghting for a cause keeps going until the world is a better place for everyone.

Opportunities to learn are everywhere.The Daily Illini equipped me with skills

I know I’ll use in my future endeavors. I’ve learned the importance of things such as time management and working effi ciently with others.

Regardless of your major, fi nd an out-let in college that will help you in your future career, whether it’s an RSO, an internship or a research opportunity.

Professors are great people to consult.I’ve dropped into professors' offi ces

to ask not just about assignments, but to seek post-graduation advice. They’re good sources because a lot of them have done the things you’re considering for yourself.

I’ve made a habit of getting to know most of my professors who teach large lectures. Despite the overwhelming class size, they’re always willing to engage in individual discussions if you take the time to initiate it.

Developing a strong relationship with professors can only lead to good things. You’ll not only have a bond with extreme-ly smart people, but they’ll also be able to help you with things such as letters of recommendation and references. It’s a win-win.

The friendships I’ve made here are ones I’ll treasure after I walk the stage at graduation.

I’m not very good at staying up-to-date with friends once we go our separate ways, but I hope that changes this time around. I truly appreciate the friendships I’ve made the past four years.

I’m not the most outgoing person, but I’ve been able to open up to a good hand-ful of people who I value very much. I want to foster those relationships in the years ahead.

I hope the change starts with me, and that I take the time to say hello to you all every once in a while. And if I don’t, please feel free to send me a sassy mes-sage asking why I’ve been such a bad friend. Keep in mind I’ll do the same to you, if need be.

Cheers.

[email protected]


W P G U 107.1

What I’ve learned in my college years

ABRAR AL-HEETI

Former Suppements Editor


YOUR VOICE

COMPILED BY HOLIDAY TANGSTAFF WRITER

Q: What are your future plans after graduation?

"I am a pre-veterinary student. After graduation, I am going to take a gap year. I am going to work at a vet school as a research assistant. After that, I plan on applying for vet schools."

DEREK SULLIVAN,Senior in ACES

"For short-term, I was interviewed by City Year earlier today, hopefully I will know if I got that job later. I will be working and living in Wisconsin if I do. Long-term, maybe go to grad school, become some type of psychologist."

ADIA HULON,Senior in LAS

"I am going to be applying to dental schools this coming summer and hopefully will be getting in by the late fall. Before that, my plans are just move back home, get a job and stay with my family for a year."

NADIA HATOUM,Senior in LAS

"After graduation, since I am a Costume Design major, I am assisting a few shows in Chicago with some professors here at the U of I, and I am also teaching a Summer Intensive in Fashion Study and Costume Design for U of I."

AIMEE BEACH,Senior in FAA

"I am going to grad school, up in Chicago, at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, for physician assistant school. So after 24 months, I will be getting a job as a physician assistant in downtown Chicago."

WESLEY RICHIER, Senior in LAS

"I am heading to Cincinnati to work for Ethicon Endo-Surgery as a product design engineer."

ALEX CUTI, Senior in Engineering

"This summer, I am going on a trip with my family to Costa Rica for a week. I am also planning to go to travel with a couple of my friends, who are also graduating in May, to South East Asia, so to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam."

MADELINE STANTON, Senior in Business

"I am planning on taking a gap year before I apply for grad schools for my master's degree in Public Health as well as a master's degree in Business Administration. I want to go here for grad school.

STEPHANIE SOFINSKI, Senior in AHS

"My plan is to take a trip to Mexico where my grandparents are and just stay there for a while. I’ve been in America for my whole life, since I was born here, so I have only visited my grandparents once. I want to visit them again before I start working."

TEODORO GAMERO, Senior in LAS


ALYSSA VOGT THE DAILY ILLINI

BY ISABELLA SCHAUB STAFF WRITER

In August, Sunny Kato, senior in LAS, will pack her bags and hop on a plane to Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa, to serve for two years in the Peace Corps.

The country has faced major hardship in recent years including a civil war that lasted over ten years and more recently, a terrible outbreak of Ebola.

Kato’s group will be the first Peace Corps group to go back to Sierra Leone after the war. Kato was told she will be working as a secondary education Eng-lish teacher. However, due to the instabil-ity of the school system there, she’ll need to be ready to help in anyway she can.

“They told me that I need to be open-minded and ready for anything,” Kato said. “My position is an English teacher, but I could be teaching any area that they need me to teach.”

Before Kato gets to teach anything though, she’ll need to complete the three months of training. Robert Sar-wark, a graduate assistant and returning-Peace Corps volunteer, said the training

involves cultivating a sense of confidence and humility.

“As an outsider to the community and nation in which you’re serving, you have to be open to learning new things every-day,” Sarwark wrote in an email. “(And you need) confidence because despite it being a humbling experience, you are nevertheless expected to be on-call to provide active service and assistance in your community over the course of two years.”

Sarwark said that since the start of the Peace Corps in 1961, over 220,000 volun-teers have served in over 140 countries, creating projects ranging from class-room instruction to instituting sustain-able farming practices.

When the Peace Corps was first cre-ated, there were approximately 15,000 spots available to serve abroad. Today, that number is 7,000. Due to the fact that applicants are given a better idea of what they will be doing abroad then ever before, the Corps are seeing a surge in applicants, Sarwark said.

“This surge in numbers, in combina-

tion with the limited amount of spots, is making the competition more rigorous,” Sarwark said.

Kato recommends applicants be flex-ible about where they want to work and which sector they’ll be placed.

“The Peace Corps isn’t an easy thing so they want you to be prepared and ful-ly committed,” Kato wrote in an email, “They want people who want to be there, people who have shown that they have been committed to something they are passionate about.”

While the stated goal of the Peace Corps is to sustain world peace and create a greater understanding among Ameri-cans and the peoples of other nations of the world, Kato’s main motivation for going is to become a better person.

“We get so many great things and so many opportunities and then sometimes we forget that we can’t take these things for granted,” Kato said. I want to put myself in situations where I’m not com-fortable to be a more grateful person.”

[email protected]

Senior prepares for two years in Sierra Leone with Peace Corpscommencement

MEMORIAL STADIUM HOUSE R U L E S

For your safety and enjoyment, the following items are not permitted in Memorial Stadium:

• laser pointers • banners/signs • backpacks/bags • coolers or containers • alcoholic beverages • weapons • noisemakers

Individuals in violation of these rules or whose conduct is disruptive will be removed from Commencement.

Guests are permitted to bring umbrellas, food in clear plastic bags, and sealed plastic water bottles (up to 20 ounces).

Guests will not be permitted to exit and re-enter Memorial Stadium. (There are no passes out.) All guests are subject to search.

Smoking is prohibited on all campus property.

#ILLINOIS2016

commencement.illinois.edu

NOTICE TO

GRADUATING

STUDENTS

6

BY MORIEN RAEYMAKERSSTAFF WRITER

Every graduation speech is unique. Finding a concrete yet refreshing topic to talk about as a graduation speaker is tricky and time consuming.

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, phrased it like this in his 2010 Graduation Speech at Auburn University: “Trust your intuition, and then work with everything you have to prove it right.”

Although great topics with catchy one-liners, such as “change the world” and “listen to your inner voice,=” can be memorable, Mary McGrath, instructor in public speaking, says that employing realism in speeches can also be effective.

“It has to do its job on the day it needs to work,” McGrath said. “It is not about what it states but what it does: A graduation speech has to unify the audience and graduation class.”

One of the key ingredients for the success of every speech is structure. Jokes followed by more jokes or random topics can detract from a good speech.

“It is only when you know the rules that you know where to break them. In the commencement address you want to leave space for creativity, to express the personality of the speaker and of the

academic discipline they are standing in,” McGrath said.

Some important factors that facilitate the structure of the speech include style and tone. Preparation and having knowledge about what one is talking about is also considered crucial.

“You should open your speech with a particular mood,” McGrath said. Sometimes the wrong one or bad timing can numb people. A lot of people underestimate how much rehearsal it takes. You need to practice until you are sick of it yourself. Otherwise you and your audience will never get into your fl ow.”

In addition, it is important to be aware of your physical language while on stage. The most common trick to become conscience of one’s physical persona is by taking a video while practicing.

Academics with all types of achievements, such as Steve Jobs and J.K. Rowling, have delivered inspiring speeches in many American universities. An experienced and successful professional from outside the university can give a more long-term perspective than a current student.

Students go through a thorough and tense process of auditions to be able to write, develop and give the speech.

According to McGrath, it is what drives people to speak that matters.

“Motivation and enthusiasm is what makes it feel celebratory,” McGrath said.

Some get sweaty hands just thinking about standing in front of the microphone, and the anticipation alone can make anyone nervous.

“A person that voluntarily puts him or herself in a position to audition and go through that tense and stressful process probably has natural abilities for public speaking,” McGrath said. “I do think that you can learn it too, though. I think it is nurturing people who already have the inherent talent for it.”

The speaker on graduation day may only be one individual, but the listeners play a pivotal part in the success of the speech too.

“When you are in the audience, you just want to be inspired, because it is the culmination of four, fi ve or even six years of hard work of being completely buried in academics,” McGrath said. “But don’t forget to listen. If you are open to the speaker, your mind can go with you on the trip from student to professional, adult, worker, contributor to society.”

[email protected]


BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCKTOGETHER

FOLLOW @THEDAILYILLINI

Delivering a great graduation speechSTAFF WRITER

Finding a concrete yet refreshing topic to talk about as a graduation speaker is tricky and time consuming.

in public speaking, says that employing in public speaking, says that employing in public speaking, says that employing

this in his 2010 Graduation Speech at Auburn University: “Trust your intuition, and then work with everything you have to prove it right.”

one-liners, such as “change the world” and “listen to your inner voice,=” can be memorable, Mary McGrath, instructor in public speaking, says that employing

this in his 2010 Graduation Speech at Auburn University: “Trust your intuition, and then work with everything you have to prove it right.”

one-liners, such as “change the world” and “listen to your inner voice,=” can be memorable, Mary McGrath, instructor in public speaking, says that employing


SIGN FOR FALL

SUMMER FREEand get

Subject to current availability. Sign a 2016-17 annual term contract &move-in May 2016 for just $300, receive June-July 2016 rent-free.

217.337.7500one-illinois.com

YOUR VOICE

Q: What is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned in your time at the University of Illinois?COMPILED BY MARIA RUBIN DE CELIS STAFF WRITER

“Really enjoy everything you do, and don’t take anything you do here for granted. (The little things) are what you’re going to remember.”

ALEX RUBOCKI, SENIOR IN ENGINEERING

“Fifty percent of your time here is being a student, and the other fi fty percent of your time is getting to know yourself. Honestly, it’s the (latter) fi fty percent that defi nes you … Make sure that you are constantly doing things for yourself and aren’t just doing it for your major, because honestly, that’s only fi fty percent.”

AKSHAY JAIN, SENIOR IN LAS

“Something I’ve learned is that if you think about something or you have an idea, do it now. For me when I was a freshman and sophomore, I was always like, ‘oh, I’ll just wait until I’m like a junior or senior,’ but the time always goes, so if you think about something, just do it now.”

CHRISTINE LA, SENIOR IN MEDIA


GRAD NIGHTSAT: 11 AM - 10 PMSUN: 11 AM - 9 PM

V I S I T· DA I LY I L L I N I . COM ·

BY AMINAH KOSHULSTAFF WRITER

As fi nals draw near and the end-of-semester frenzy begins, seniors prepare to say their fi nal goodbyes. Some of them, however, have chosen to stay at the Univer-sity to complete graduate school.

"If you have the opportunity to pursue higher education at your current school, I would defi nite-ly recommend it,” said Mahreen Bux, a student working on her master's degree in Public Health.

Familiarity with the campus, faculty and the resources offered are just a few of the advantag-es students have when staying at the University for their master's degree.

In addition, students noted that the campus culture changed dur-ing their transition to graduate school. One of the most notice-able differences is the reduction in class sizes allowing for greater interaction with peers.

"You develop closer relation-ships with peers and profes-sors just because classes are a lot smaller compared to under-grad," said Irma Raouf, master of

Human Resources and Industrial Relations.

Grad school has a structured workload that commands effec-tive time management. Standards are higher and performance eval-uation is more rigorous as stu-dents are expected to produce graduate level work. Class is not held fi ve days a week and the work is often assigned as large projects throughout the semester.

"It’s important to pace yourself," Bux advised.

Both Bux and Raouf mentioned that graduate work requires a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the class con-tent. Consequently, professors make themselves available for students and are willing to talk about their research or work out-side of class.

Raouf explained how her pro-gram is focused on aspects of Human Resources that she is interested in, such as employee rights and labor laws. Graduate school is, in general, tailored to the student’s interests and does not require more broad-based gen-eral education classes that are

so common in the undergraduate curriculum.

“In grad school priorities change completely; your focus is on your career, your program and connections made with alum-ni,” said Sidra Ismail, Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations. “Skills geared towards a specifi c career path.”

She recommended that students do an internship to help them decide what type of job is a good fi t for them. Internships allow stu-dents to experience work environ-ments in potential career paths without fully committing to them.

“I interned for a company down-town and got exposure to the HR side of corporate. That’s how I ended up applying to the Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations program,” Ismail said.

Numerous graduate programs also have organizations that help build professional relationships between peers through social events that provide a platform for networking. Additionally, pro-grams in grad school allow for a more in-depth study of subject matter and have real world appli-

cations that may not always be obvious in undergraduate classes.

“It’s no longer about wanting to get an A in class,” said Ismail, “I actually want to take something away from the material that I study.”

Ismail noted how the HR pro-

gram is people-oriented and well-suited to her personality.

“Advisors and professors are always available to you and genu-inely want to help you succeed,” she said.

[email protected]

Graduates stay at Illinois for a master’s degree

PHOTO COURTESY OF SIDRA ISMAILSidra Ismail talks with a fellow student in the Business Instructional Facility.

The Daily Illini: Grad Guide 2016

Documents

Transcript of The Daily Illini: Grad Guide 2016