Elon University seniors and freshmen have one thing in common: classes designed to prepare students for the next chapter of their lives. Elon has long emphasized transitions in and out of collegiate life, according to Pam Brumbaugh, director of experiential education.
Brumbaugh, who has maintained her role at Elon since 1987, said courses that assist students in adjusting — whether coming or leaving — have been around since she started working at the university. The senior transitional courses, which help near-graduates develop professional habits such as interview decorum and resume assistance, have been further developed and expanded in recent years.
“In the winter of 2008, the experimental education department of Elon decided to increase the availability of these courses and put them under the moniker of transition strategies,” Brumbaugh said.
Brumbaugh, who initially operated the program, said there are now around 30 senior transitional courses offered across academic disciplines. The transitional courses, which run for a full semester, function similarly to Elon 101 or Global Experience freshman courses in that many professors teach them and they can tailor the class to their areas of expertise. Students enrolled in such courses have a wide range of options, Brumbaugh said.
“We try to offer these courses with a great deal of variety,” she said. “There are varied times of the day and topics covered by different professors, but the base habits of graduate professionalism are the same.”
Rhonda Kosusko, associate director of career services, took over the job of managing the transitional courses from Brumbaugh this fall.
“Career services certainly emphasizes transitional aspects,” Kosusko said. “This is reflected in the transitional courses whose purposes are to help seniors prepare for things such as graduate school or their first job out of college.”
Tom Nelson, associate professor of communications, teaches a transitional course centered around mass communications. He said he enjoys teaching the course and thinks the courses are genuinely valuable for seniors.
“I think that seniors are aware of everything in broad strokes but oftentimes they are not aware of where the resources are and where to apply them,” Nelson said.
Nelson’s course educates students about the details concerning post-graduate life.
“Classes like this are good for those students who have great anxiety about getting a job post-graduation,” said senior Samantha Siberini, who is in Nelson’s class. “You never know what little thing could make a big difference, so transition strategies classes may provide helpful tips that will take you past your competition.”
Senior Kara Frasca, also enrolled in Nelson’s class, said she was enthused about the topics they have covered so far.
“We’ve done mock interviews and work on our presentation skills, which is helpful,” Frasca said. “Later on in the semester, we talk more about ‘real life’ issues like money management, real estate and stock investments.”
To Frasca and Siberini, the few extra hours of class each week are well worth it, giving seniors at Elon a tangible way to explore topics related to post-graduation.