I asked three students about their thoughts on graduation and their college experience at AIC. I interviewed Emily Hickey (a criminal justice major), Nair Patton (captain of the women’s rugby team and a biology major), and Heather Brouillard (president of the NPPA photojournalism club, a communication major and a history minor).

Question: What is your goal/plan after you graduate?

Emily Hickey: “My plan after I graduate is to find a full-time job. I would like to find a full-time job relating to my major so that I can be successful. I hope to be working full-time with a solid career.”

Nair Patton: “I would like to go to grad school.”

Heather Brouillard: “My goal is to get a full-time job in my field which is communications.”

Q: Are you nervous/ excited to graduate?

E.H.: ”I am both nervous and excited to graduate but I think graduation is a bittersweet accomplishment. I am very happy to be graduating but am very sad that this chapter in my life is ending.”

N.P.: “I am very excited.”

H.B.: “I am very excited because I have senioritis and I need to be done. I am also very nervous because the jobs I applied to are across the country and I really want to move, but it is also very terrifying.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone going to college for the first time?

E.H.: ”I think there are a lot of things that can be told to students who are going to college for the first time. I think that students who are coming to college can be very nervous or scared, so it is important to reassure them that this is one of the most important decisions they can make for themselves. They should get involved so that their college experience will be what they put into it, so your experience is up to you. If you get involve and do good things, you are going to have an awesome experience at college.”

N.P.: “Do your work, go to class, and be a good student.”

H.B.: “Definitely take full advantage of all of your opportunities, it’s going to seem like a lot of work. You are going to have to make appointments with career services and your advisors, or your professor’s office hours but it will definitely be worth it in the end because that is what I did and I feel truly prepared for the career world.”

Q: What was your best memory or moment in college?

E.H.: “I have had a lot of good times in college, so I don’t think that I would be able to narrow it down to one. But I have had tons of good memories and experiences at AIC.”

N.P.: “My best memory in college is the relationship that I have formed with the students and the relationships I have had that will last a lifetime.”

H.B.: “I am a commuter so my experience is kind of different, but I would probably say one of the awards that I got. Just being part of the award ceremony it was prestigious and I was very proud of myself.”

Q: “What are you going to miss most about AIC?”

E.H.: “I think I am going to miss the AIC community the most. AIC is like a small knit family, and the sense of community here is very awesome. So, I am just going to miss the AIC family.”

N.P.: “The DC. I love the food.”

H.B.: “Everything. I love AIC. I don’t want to leave! The only reason why I want to leave is because I don’t want to study anymore. I love the people the most, even my professors I’m like friends with. Definitely the people I work with and the campus is beautiful. I like everything about AIC!”