By Chris Yingling | Echo
The end is near. Employers are offering positions, graduate schools are accepting applicants and the soon-to-be Taylor grad can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only a few courses remain as they begin the final semester of their undergraduate career. IAS 495-Senior Seminar, a course required for graduation-is included in those final steps a senior must take before picking up their diploma.
Senior Seminar is defined in the Taylor course catalog as "an integrative, interdisciplinary general education requirement." The course, instructed by Jon Cavanagh, acts as a bookend to the Taylor experience opposite IAS 101-First Year Experience.
"It offers some practical instruction, exploration and gets students thinking about life after Taylor," Cavanagh said. "We're trying to create a framework to help them transition and equip and prepare them for things."
Cavanagh brings in professionals from various fields such as finance and grief to explain to students certain aspects of post-graduation life of which students may not yet be aware.
While the course intends to cover topics designed to be helpful to the Taylor grad, the necessity of the class is questioned by both present and former students.
"I didn't find anything in Senior Seminar to be helpful in integrating into the secular world," said recent graduate Suzanne Neefus. "While the class increased my level of preparedness, it was not primarily responsible."
Many seniors believe that the course work exceeds the amount that should be involved and may be overwhelming at times.
"I don't like having to put in the amount of work that I have to for a one-credit class," said senior Luke Currens. "It's a lot of busy work."
While the course has been under the scrutiny of some, other students have found that the course did open their eyes to post-grad concepts they hadn't yet considered.
"(Senior Sem) does a good job of making you aware of realities that you're going to face after graduating," said senior Stu Poulson. "It really helps you get ready for life after Taylor."
In the final stretch of their Taylor career, the average senior has toned down the effort put into classes. Cavanagh understands the struggles that seniors face having to take the course.
"Seniors are a bit tired of people telling them what to do and want to express their independence," Cavanagh said. "Typically, they think that they're more ready for the world outside of Taylor than they actually are."
Several seniors believe that the primary goal of Senior Sem-preparation for life after graduation-has already been achieved through internship opportunities or experiences outside Taylor.
"The day-to-day responsibilities I've encountered since graduating have been a learning process on their own," said graduate Curtis Sanford. "I don't think any class really can prepare you for starting to live in the 'real world.'"
(Illustration by Matt Walters)
