Spring semester began and seniors found themselves closer to the adult world. Augustana provides resources for students for their future, from career coaches at Careers Opportunity Research and Exploration (CORE) to advisors and professors. This time of year can be stressful but also provide an opportunity for reflection.

Beth Ford is a career coach working with students. She emphasized that it’s never too late to make an appointment at CORE and that it’s normal to feel anxious.

“It can be overwhelming,” Ford said. “We try to help students figure out what their skills, interests and values are.”

Life after college can be unpredictable. Ford said students who are nervous about this should embrace the uncertainty.

“I started in higher ed and then I went into the business field, and then I was an entrepreneur,” Ford said. “You’re probably going to change your path a little bit as you go through your life and just the situations in your life change.”

According to Ford, the students she interacts with commonly wonder if they’re making the right choices when it comes to their career. She said that a liberal arts education helps students be adaptable as well as express their interests.

“Everybody has different values and interests, and I think the liberal arts environment really encourages that,” Ford said. 

Senior Amber Johnson is involved in extracurriculars in addition to work and classes, and she emphasized the value of the people around her. She credited loved ones and friends, including her sorority Chi Omega Gamma (COG).

“COG has seen me at my lowest moments, but they’ve also been there to see me grow into some of the best moments of my life,” Johnson said. She said that the stress of a pandemic for more than half of her time at Augie made it challenging to focus on her relationships.

Between work, classes and extracurriculars it’s easy for students to feel like they are running out of time. Johnson said that it’s important to keep a list of tasks.

“Google Calendar and my planner are my best friends,” Johnson said.

She also credited the positive relationships she has with her professors. “I’m very lucky to have advisors that are so invested in, not just what I’m doing, but me as a person and want to steer me in the direction of things that will bring joy and value,” Johnson said.

Senior Isaiah Valentine, like Johnson, is involved around campus and works multiple jobs in addition to attending classes, leaving little time for distraction.

Valentine said that, looking back on this year, his relationships with professors is better than relationships with high school teachers, saying that college provided an environment that rewarding students for curiosity and enthusiasm to learn.

“It’s become more of a conversation between myself and the professors,” Valentine said.