As UH seniors complete end-of-semester projects and study for finals, the most important preparations for graduation began the day they entered college.

Jeffery Lyons, a senior majoring in history, is set to graduate this month. While his coursework provided information and training for teaching history, Lyons expanded his skill base by working as a part-time Web assistant for UH’s Division of Information Technology.

Working for the university has given Lyons the initial experience necessary to pursue career options outside of academics. Either way, he feels that his time at UH left him with more confidence to pursue future professional goals.

“My experience as a student here has taught me how to take actions into my own hands and motivate myself,” said Lyons, who plans to continue working as a UH Web assistant following his graduation.

Campus work experience also was key in helping recent graduate Kelly Papinchak, who served as an intern in the Office of Internal Communications and is now communications director for Schipul — The Web Marketing Company.

Writing articles for UH Campus News provided Papinchak with professional development by offering her a chance to hone her communication skills.

Another factor that helped her plan for a post-UH career was participation in such student organizations as the Public Relations Student Society of America. By assuming a leadership role, Papinchak made valuable professional contacts each time the organization hosted a luncheon or seminar.

“Both my professors and my experiences at UH prepared me to begin my career immediately after graduation,” Papinchak said. “I worked hard to form relationships with professionals in my field before I graduated, and those relationships remain very valuable to me. I don’t look at professional networking as something I have to do, but rather something I want to do.”

Like Papinchak, Anjy Salinas, who will graduate in May, has enjoyed the benefits of belonging to a professional student organization. As a member of the Students in Construction Related Industries (SCRI), Salinas, who is majoring in construction management, made the contacts necessary to help secure a full-time job as a construction estimator.

Before her internship, Salinas worked her way through school as a full-time letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. With limited time on her hands, she made it a priority to join SCRI.

Salinas is particularly grateful to UH for its construction management curriculum, and she recognizes a need to balance good grades with professional involvement.

Grades are just part of the equation when it comes to deciding one’s future following college, she said. The rest of the formula lies in the willingness to participate in extra-curricular activities necessary to securing a career.

“A degree will only get you so far,” Salinas said. “You have to get out there while you’re in school and meet people and let them know who you are. You also have to develop your skills, so you’ll be an asset to their organization. Seeing a name on a resume is one thing, but if an employer sees your experience and can place a face with the name, it makes a big difference.”

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu