Anticipation and excitement filled the Campus Center Grand Hall on Tuesday, September 7 as Stockton’s graduating seniors joined together for day one of Senior Kickoff, hosted by Career Education and Development. Students were welcomed with free Stockton t-shirts, swag bags, snacks, and music by DJ Dahve. The event not only celebrated graduating Ospreys, but introduced them to career resources as they take flight this semester.

CED Career Advisor Dayna DeFiore highlighted the significance of the annual event. The Senior Kickoff promotes the presence of the CED on campus; students can include the CED and their resources for a great portion of their college experience, instead of only the months nearing graduation.

Both internal and external organizations and departments including Campus Philly, the First Ospreys Program, and Stockton Graduate Admissions greeted students on the event’s opening day. Each provide a plethora of resources that senior students may find useful in their journey.

Marissa Christie, Campus Philly representative, described the organization’s goal of fueling economic growth and development in the Greater Philadelphia Region. This means drawing recent graduates to Philly for employment opportunities. Various events and online resources for graduating students are just some of the ways Campus Philly can be part of a Stockton student’s career path.

As students continue their college journey, Christie encourages students to think outside the box during their career search. “Don’t be afraid to have a non-traditional career path,” she said. Christie emphasized that alternate career paths are more common than most students think.

Within Stockton’s programs, the First Ospreys program is focused on supporting first-generation college students throughout their journey. Jennine Fleming, a First Ospreys representative, describes First Osprey’s dual presence as both program and club– and undoubtedly a strong support system. Students involved are continually updated on upcoming events and opportunities if involved in the program.

“Keep your goals in mind,” Fleming said, as she shared career advice for graduating seniors. She encourages students to stay on track with their goals by attending events relevant to their major and career goals. Particularly, “Meet and Greet” events for specific majors can be a place to start.

Students shared their varying perspectives on senior year and their career trajectory. With feelings of anxiety and excitement in common, each expressed their unique hopes and aspirations.

For students seeking to advance their education before entering the workforce, Stockton Graduate Admissions presents several possible routes. With 18 current graduate programs, students can explore several continuing education options as they create their career path. Graduate Admissions Representative Steve Vasquez mentioned opportunities for students to meet with their team, such as events, information sessions, and tabling sessions, are made available throughout the year.

Kristina, a Criminal Justice major, expressed excitement for in-person campus experiences and her goal of attending law school. Melissa, a Hospitality major, is also excited to be returning in-person and to graduate.

Jackie, a Communication Disorders major, shared her plans in pursuing speech pathology. Though feeling nervous as she prepares for graduate school entrance exams, she looks ahead toward her clinical observations and experiences online this year. Also a Communications Disorders major, Stockton student Nickie is planning to attend speech pathology observations. She explained that the question of “Where do we go from here?” is a common one among senior students; that is, preparing for life after graduation while making big decisions about one’s career path.

Students curious about how they can tap into career resources can visit stockton.edu/careers. Senior Kickoff initiates student involvement with these valuable resources that can make a huge difference in their college journey and career search.