A few hours before graduation....

My cap and gown are set, my outfit has been picked out, my nails are done, my hair has been washed and set, and all that's left for me to do is graduate. Get up early in the morning, eat something, put on my clothes, shoes, and head out the door to the Izod Center. The hard part is done; now I just have to walk across the stage and try not to trip and fall in front of everyone.

I joined the Alumni Association today, and I logged in and looked around. I have to update my profile next. I also have to do my Loan Exit Interview for school and send it back. But first things first: I have to graduate. I just wish that more of my family and friends could join me; I had been dropping hints, letting them know the exact date, time, and location of the graduation. But just to have their well wishes is truly a blessing.

So I'm hopeful that I'll get to mingle with my fellow graduates before commencement begins. Even if it's just, "Hi, how are you?" and "Congratulations", it's nice to know that we're all in it together. And again, I hope to be an encouragement to my niece down the road when she's in college; she'll see that there's no obstacle big enough to hold her back--unless she allows it to. I just want any and everybody to learn from my example, that if you want something enough, you'll continue to push through.

Two more days....

I can hear the strains of not only "Pomp and Circumstance" playing in my head, but also "We Are The Champions" by Queen. "It's been no bed of roses/no pleasure cruise...." Yes, it was hard work, but I did it. WE did it, the class of 2010. We are the champions, my friends. And there's no doubt that as Berkeley alumni, we'll keep on fighting to the end.

So my clever--read "sneaky"--co-workers had a congratulatory breakfast set up for me at work this morning. I had NO idea, but I really appreciate what they did for me. I only wish I could return the favor tenfold. But a lot of people were asking how I managed to work full-time in addition to caring for other responsibilities and STILL manage to finish school. I told them that by nature, I'm a big-time procrastinator (which is something I've alluded to once or twice on this blog), but when it's something important, you have to really train yourself and just do it. Having said that, I told them that if I could do it, they could. And they really can; it just involves discipline and a thorough examination of one's circumstances.

The only downside is that my sister won't be able to attend my graduation; she couldn't get the time off from work, and in this economy, he who has the gold makes the rules. In this case, the one with the gold is my sister's employer. I'm somewhat disappointed, but I told her that it would be streamed lived via the Internet so that she could see the graduation. To my fellow graduates and new and soon-to-be graduating students, much success in your future endeavors.

Countdown to graduation....

In exactly one week from today, I will be walking across the stage at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, receiving my Bachelor's degree from Berkeley College. It's going to be an exciting and happy time in my life, because by then I will have accomplished what I set out to do. I can hear the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" playing in my mind as I type these words. I can see myself seated among my fellow graduates, while my family is seated in the audience, watching me receive my degree. It's a reality.

Not to be discounted are my fellow graduates (and if you're reading this blog and you're a fellow 2010 graduate, congrats!!!!), who've worked hard to get where they are, too. Their families and friends will also be sitting in the stands, cheering them on and congratulating them for pushing through--particularly when they had moments of difficulty and wanted to throw in the towel (or maybe that's just my case, but thank God for the wonderful support system I was blessed with).

And last but certainly not least, the faculty are to be congratulated, as well; they gave us the tools we needed to successfully navigate our "Road to Success", whether it was in the classrooms, through financial aid, or career services. Posting the information regarding certain trips and/or school events helped many of us to get involved in different aspects of student life. For this, I and my fellow graduates are truly grateful. I still miss logging into Blackboard and checking out these events, but I look forward to sharing my post-graduate life with current students and fellow Berkeley College alumni.

I FINALLY got my cap and gown....

It took two trips to Berkeley College in Newark (because I'd misread the email about when I could come and pick up my regalia), but I finally got them. Also, the graduates who are getting their Bachelor's get a decorated hood to go with their graduation regalia. When I got back to Newark the second time, I could see people coming and going with their caps and gowns. And once I got to the Student Center, things were in full swing.

It was pretty simple, actually; I stated that I was there to pick up my cap and gown. I was asked for my name and they were able to find me on the list. The girl distributing the caps and gowns sized me up--literally--pretty quick and said, "You're about five feet." She also said she'd be there the day of graduation to help me out with the hood just in case I had trouble putting it on. And I thought that was it, but I was invited to sit down and have food and mingle with other students. There was a lot of laughter and good feelings--and why not? This was definitely something to celebrate; we'd made it.

The lady taking class pictures kept me cracking up during the entire process. And when she was done, I was given the card and the login to access my pictures online in about three weeks. It was an all-around good feeling; I'd wanted to mingle with other Berkeley students, and finally I did.

Your profile.....

http://mashable.com/2010/04/08/managing-online-reputation/

So I talked a bit about this a few blogs ago, based on the information posted by fellow Berkeley blogger Vanessa Gomez. But it bears repeating: guard your online reputation. Many people are not aware of how their online activities, profiles, and certain pictures (remember the one of you hugging the pinata and holding a wine glass in hand?) can influence how others view them--particularly prospective employers. As the article brings out, your reputation is earned. While you may feel that your personal life shouldn't affect how a prospective employer--and perhaps your fellow students and faculty--views you, it is very important to conduct yourself in a manner that is above reproach.

Do you really want to be viewed as the life of every party, yet nothing is ever mentioned about how well you did in school or what projects you've worked on either in school or with your current employer? This is something that can adversely affect you in the future, for prospective employers will see you as someone who doesn't take things seriously, and that can curtail your future--at least temporarily.

Work on building up a good reputation in school and/or at work, making sparing use of social networks and being sure to keep the personal elements of your life offline. You'll be grateful for it in the end.

Spring NYC Career Fair....

So I just checked out Career Services, and there's a Spring New York City Career Fair next Friday, April 16, between 8:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. So if you're a student or recent Berkeley graduate either looking for a job or looking to change careers, then this might be for you. I'll even see if I can make it part of that day, just to see what my options are. It's nice to have put in the work and now you're seeing the payoffs of it: the career of your choosing. You're encouraged to bring plenty of resumes and dress in business attire. Before I entered the 9 to 5 working world, I just didn't see the point of a resume. But it really is a summary of your working career over the years. Now, I make sure that I submit a resume with every employment application I fill out. Simply put, your resume can help to determine whether you and the prospective employer are a match for each other (along with the interview and selection process, of course).

Transportation is being provided from the various campuses, so what are you waiting for? Register with Career Services and get going!! The location will be The Radisson Martinique on 49 West 32nd Street in New York City. So put your best business foot forward, get the information, and get your career on track--whether you're looking for work while in school or you've graduated and want to get your career off the ground.

There will be over 50 companies present, which means there will be over 50 opportunities to make your best impression. Best wishes to you all!!!

And as an aside, congratulations to all new, returning, and graduating students.

A lot has changed....

For one, I'm not logging into Blackboard to view assignments for my current classes. Also, when I have logged into Blackboard, the whole format and focus has changed. Instead of Content Collection and Student Self Services, the focus is completely on alumni activities and Career Services. Not that I'm complaining; I'm just commenting on the obvious change. But it's a change that I've worked toward, and I'm proud to have made it.

Speaking of having made it, I still have to obtain my cap and gown--which I hope to do sometime this week or next week. I know I'm not officially a graduate of Berkeley College until I cross the threshold of the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, but the cap and gown pretty much confirms it. I hope to get lots of pictures so that I can post them to my blog, as well. This is a proud moment that I hope to share with all, current students and staff alike. My family and friends are a given, since some of them will be present.

Now that I'm finished with school, I plan to make more use of the Career Services tab. Even though I may not be leaving my current employer just yet, it never hurts to look around and see what else is out there. Also, it'll help me keep my skills up to date (I also plan to utilize what I've learned in classes, as well) and help me to compete successfully in the job market. While I've concluded one chapter in my life, this isn't good-bye. I plan to keep in constant contact with the faculty and alumni at Berkeley College, and I'll continue to give advice to continuing and new students as long as I'm allowed.