Name: Whitney Jerome
Major: French & Geography
Graduation: May 2013
Occupation/position:
Library Associate at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC. Basically, I’m a librarian in training. I work in the Youth Services department, so I get to hang out with children and teen’s all day. I got to play Just Dance on the Wii this afternoon and I wore a crown all day.
What is one word of advice on adjustment for soon to be graduates?
I know this one is probably overplayed, but it’s so essential to your survival. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The real world is so different from college, and unless you ask, no one is going to take the time to help you navigate your way through the muck and the mire that is adulting.
How you keep in touch with your friends and Bucknell past while continuing to move forward?
Oh gosh, everyway and anyway that I can. SnapChat, Texting, Emails, and Twitter. Staying in touch really hasn’t been difficult thanks to all of the different social media platforms out there; and I’ve found that being removed from Bucknell’s campus has certainly made it easier to remain on the fringe of drama and gossip, thus allowing me to pretend to mature. I downloaded the Bucknell Alumni App, so I guess I really am staying connected to Bucknell while moving forward and networking!
On the other hand, what do you miss the most about Bucknell?
Everything! I miss being able to see my friends all of the time. I miss grabbing coffee or dinner with my professors. I miss 7th Street Café and all of its oddities. I miss Officer Ulmer. I miss late night conversations with friends. I miss our gorgeous campus. I miss Bucknell sunsets. I miss Her Campus! Ugh, I really do miss everything.
What has the real world taught you that Bucknell never did?
How to do my taxes, but the jury is still out on that one… Seriously, Bucknell needs to drop Transition to College (SLIF for you newbies) and add Transition to the Real World as a senior seminar.
On the other hand again, what did Bucknell teach you that you continue to carry forward?
I can’t even begin to single out one particular thing. Bucknell made me a more confident and assertive person, and I am eternally grateful for that. I’m not afraid to put forward ideas during staff meetings nor am I hesitant about my writing abilities. Obviously, my French skills. I get to do “Around the World” story-time in French for the little nuggets.
What are your career aspirations as of now? Â
Well, I start school in the summer to get my Master’s in Library Science; that way I’ll be a full-fledged Teen Librarian. After that I want to go back to school for my Master’s in Emergency Management and Disaster Relief because it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Ideally, I’d be able to continue working for my current employer but in a role that would allow me to deal with emergency policies and evacuation protocol, while still being able to do Pre-School story-time.
Fast facts about the real world:
One word on managing your own budget?
Don’t neglect your savings account.
Bar hopping vs. frat hopping?
Bar Hopping. Everytime. Also, bottomless mimosas during Sunday Brunch.
Gym membership or DIY?
Alternatives! I’m on a soccer team and I take dance classes. I do have a gym membership, though. I think I’m spoiled because government workers get a discount on gym memberships.
Go to quote getting you through the real word:
I feel so strongly about these two, that I’ve gotten them tattooed. “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” The last lines of my favorite poem, Invictus, have helped me realize that I alone can determine my success. People will try to hold me back and tell me I’m too inexperienced, too overqualified, too young, too timid, etc. and it’s up to me to prove them wrong and go after what I want. The other quote is, “Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien certainly knew what was up. People take different paths, just because I’m taking an unconventional route, doesn’t mean I don’t have an end destination in sight or that I don’t know where I ought to be.
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Quick q’s:
Most influential professor at Bucknell:
Angele Kingue. There are no words to describe the poise, wisdom, and pure awesomeness she embodies.
Favorite class at Bucknell:
Francophone Africa with Prof. Kingue. It really helped to construct Africa and particular counties in a positive light as a modern society teeming with creativity and culture with deep ties to its past. It basically took a giant crap on every negative stereotype associated with Africa and being African, and I thoroughly appreciated that. Also, we always had awesome author visits!
Favorite Freeze flavor:
As if. It’s all about the Purple Cow’s peanut butter ice cream.
Favorite study spot:
The Library! There’s a table on the main floor that I’m quite fond of.
Bucknell posse:
Oh gosh, I hung out with a lot of different people who didn’t necessarily hang out with each other. Angel Hernandez, Mayron Yohannes, Erica Horne, Lois Gregory, Kamal Riley. Theta. Her Campus. BeF Spring 2012. TGs. Posse.
Best/proudest memory at Bucknell:
Can this be my proudest memory, is that allowed? Probably getting up on stage and moaning for all of Bucknell to see during The Vagina Monologues. If you know me well, you know that I’m the least sexual person on the planet, so simulating different types of orgasms in front of an audience was something I challenged myself to do and luckily it turned out well! I’m really proud of that. Gosh, I’m a weirdo.