Event to Help Graduating Students Transition From College to Career

“What If I Can” Will Discuss Finances, Expectations and More

By Leia Brown and Katrina Molholm

Columbia, Mo. (March 10, 2015) — An event geared towards helping soon-to-be graduates address concerns and prepare for life after college will be hosted by the Missouri School of Journalism’s Career Services office.

"What If I Can?"
A “What If I Can?” event poster identifies questions often asked by soon-to-be graduates.

“We want to help students be ready to assume their new professional identity,” said Barbara Willis, the office’s assistant director.

Industry professionals will offer top advice and insight to students regarding wages and benefits, personal financial planning and the first year as a full-time employee. “What If I Can” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 13, at the Reynolds Journalism Institute.

University of Missouri alumni who will lead a panel discussion on the initial post-graduate employee experience are Kirby Cole, BS ’01, FleishmanHillard, St. Louis; Christopher Ave, BA ’86, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; and Allie Helz, BJ ’13, Walz Tetrick Advertising, Kansas City.

Also participating will be University of Missouri representatives from a variety of areas. The Office for Financial Success and the School’s Career Services office will co-present a session about wages and benefits to include researching industry wages, understanding types of benefits and negotiating based on qualifications and industry standards. They will also share information about financial planning, investment options, student loan payments and income management.

The program is free and open to all journalism students. For more information, contact Barbara Willis.

Updated: August 4, 2020

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