Fall Senior Reflection Looking Toward Graduation

Well, I made it to senior year finally! I just recently signed up for spring classes for the last time, and what a rush that felt. I was anxious, hoping to snag the last few classes I needed to graduate in the spring; thankfully, I got them! I can’t believe it’s been four years since I left high school and was a freshman in college. I’ve changed and gone through a lot since then, and I wouldn’t change anything. 

When I look back as a freshman in college, I was clueless but happy to attend a university because that was one of my life goals. I had high expectations at the time to become a K-6 teacher and study at Montclair State University for five years. However, as I took classes throughout my first year, I felt I could be a part of something bigger and switched career paths in which I wanted to chase my dreams of joining the music business industry. 

 I stayed with my decided major of English, which I picked because I needed to declare a major for the teaching program, and I thought it would be the easiest subject because I did so well in high school. But, as I have learned, high school and college English courses are much different and more challenging. Though as I have gone through my years at Montclair State, I have grown to love English and writing. 

I then dropped the teaching program and picked up a business minor which I was weary of, but I knew I had the confidence to succeed in these courses because of how much of a hard worker I am. However, I remember a few times in high school saying to myself that I wasn’t built for business and never considered it a career. Looking back, with four classes under my belt and two still to go, I will say accounting is not my thing. However, I am proud of how well I have succeeded in these classes though, and with these skills, I understand the world a bit better and I can apply these skills in every area of my life. 

Now, as a senior, what a time it was to go through university. Looking back on our country and my personal history, it’s pretty overwhelming. But, if I had to give my college experience a key phrase, it would be going through adversity. Having heart surgery freshman year, the pandemic during sophomore year, then having multiple illnesses junior year, it’s crazy to think I survived all of that. 

However, I did have other college plans at Montclair State. Like I had in mind joining a sorority, I couldn’t fit it into my schedule due to personal reasons and a pandemic. However, the pandemic led me to new adventures, such as joining the marketing club, writing for Her Campus and the radio station, WMSC 90.3 and booking talent.

So, now what? I am at the end of my educational career and will graduate in May. I am currently looking for a paid internship and job in the music industry covering social media marketing and industry/talent coordination. However, I am also looking for a job in all fields due to how competitive it is to get into the music industry. Even though it’s my main goal to work in the music industry, I’m not disappointed if it takes me a few more steps to get to my dream job. I am overall nervous about the next chapter of my life. I think mostly because my life has been run by school and education. I know most of my new free time will be spent going to work. I am also interested in finding out what else I may take up. I know I want to keep writing in some way, and I wish to travel. 

I’ll give an update in the spring of how I am feeling… to be continued!

• graduation
• job hunting
• moving on
• next chapter
• senior year