Senior Transition Events
 

Hey guys,

I couldn't really find anything on senior transitioning events so I was wondering what ideas everyone had on either recognizing seniors for their commitment during their collegiate years or helping them to prepare for the real world/becoming alumni/alumnae.

Here are some ideas that I've thought of so far:
1. Finance 101 (i.e. paying back student loans, investing, paying taxes)
2. Cooking class with local alumnae club (learning the basics)
3. Career workshop (i.e. resume writing, interview tips, using your networks)
4. Shopping together for business attire
5. Wine tasting? (I don't know if this is okay because it has to do with alcohol, although it would be a third-party vendor).

It would be great to hear what other chapters are doing! I'm sure there are a lot of great ideas out there! =]

Those seem alright - although I'm questioning a little bit what wine tasting has to do with being a grownup other than you must be 21 to go.

Are you part of a national organization (I'm guessing yes because you mentioned a local alumnae club)? If so, contact an advisor for ideas - many national organizations already have transition programming as well.

We did a wine tasting, but it was strictly off the books (it was a "bonding" activity). I actually do think it has something to do with being a grownup, as I finally felt adult when I started actually ordering off the wine menu not based solely on price. Depending on where you are, you can try to find a nearby tasting, otherwise have a wine-and-cheese party, with everyone bringning either wine or cheese and then having a DIY tasting. You get a lot drunker this way (found out the hard way).

Your other ideas all sound really good. If you have a career services, see if you can get them to come in and give a talk.

Try organizing something for rising jrs/srs as well, to get them prepared early, esp for grad school/law school/med school applications and interviews.

We also gave "senior bios" in chapter every week, starting in the spring. Have each senior pick another member and write a bio for her to be read aloud. It was fun for the younger members to hear more about the seniors, esp the stupid stuff from freshman year.

My only reservations:
Money. Some sisters might get left out if they can't afford to attend the wine tasting or might feel bad if everyone goes shopping and they can't afford to make any purchases. If you do these events try talking to your seniors beforehand to work out finances. (That being said, I think they're both good ideas).

I very much wish things like this had been made available for myself as a senior.

I'm a fan of "basic car maintenance" and "contract law 101" if you can find people to teach these things.

Kappa recently started doing senior programming, and I'm trying to think of some of the options we could choose from. Resume/job-hunting tips, apartment searching (and maintenance?). Ditto on car maintenance!

Many wine tastings are free-$10, so that shouldn't be a big problem, but I agree about the concerns on shopping.

Car maintenance would be really useful (esp how to change a tire and jump-start), but also, can anyone find a lecture on "Ways people will try to cheat you" - like charging for things that don't need fixed, etc. God I could really have used that.

early marriage counseling?

As far as the wine tasting - you can always have a wine education class instead, just saying what is what and such, so the underagers aren't left out.

I'll piggyback off Lucy's suggestion on apartment maintenance and say decorating, how not to get hosed by your landlord, your rights as a tenant, etc etc. This is actually something that you could really tie in well with your alums if you have women that are willing to be a point of contact if anyone moves to a city where they don't know anyone else - at least they will know a sister is there.

If not shopping, you could do a presentation at the very least - what is business professional, what is business casual, what is office casual, etc.

Mock interviews.

How to get involved with an alumnae group. Introduce seniors to the alumnae group (some alumnae groups have events for seniors and alumnae to mix so they're more likely to stay involved after college).

How to paint your toenails 5 minutes before leaving for work and not mess up your pedicure.

Job search tips in general (what types of postings to avoid like nigerian scammers). If your organization has a professional networking program in place, how to get in contact with it.

Professional organizations in general (like Detroit Women in Business, etc etc) that may not be obvious to a particular major (don't introduce the concept of the Bar Association to a Pre-Law major).

How to avoid non-college douchecanoes at bars.

Cut, Carat, Clarity, Color.

Obviously some of these are jokes but I would really suggest you look into what your national organization has by way of transitional programming - you can probably find something about it either in the public or members only section of the website, or can find who to contact about it. Or talk to an advisor.

I'm assuming these were meant as a joke, but you actually have a point. You could have a basic self esteem class on how not to settle and how it's okay if you pass the 'deadline' without meeting the 'one'.

Also, eating on a budget and how to coupon could be useful.

Credit card 101. Like for instance, have 1 card with a $1000 limit. Anything more than that is just asking for trouble for a 22 year old. A credit counseling agency can probably help with that.

You might be able to get a recruitment/employment agency to come give a talk about how to look for a job, go through the interview process etc. I have used several in my day and some were excellent about saying, here's how you tell your entire life story in 2 minutes, for example.

But do use your alumnae groups. If you are at a school where a lot of girls move "away" you could also include the alums from the soon to be adopted cities. I promise you they will be thrilled to help however they can.

Unfortunately for many members, this is probably shutting the barn door after the horse is out and 50 miles down the road.

Yeah I've always thought it would be nice to have a program on this yearly. I escaped this particular pitfall because of my parents who are extremely conservative with credit and have made it clear if I get myself into trouble I will be getting myself out of it, but I have no doubt without all of that I would've been eyeball high in debt and I have many friends that already are.

True. Maybe how to manage student loan payments, look for consolidation options, or how to shop for a mortgage or car loan.

Credit cards should be taught in high school.