Countdown to Commencement

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Senioritis. It’s real, and it may be hitting our senior students in a big way as they come back for their last semester before leaving the comforts of The Bluff for the “real world.” The last semester will be packed with reading, tests, final projects, applications, and overall life discernment of “what’s next.” While your student may be tempted to become apathetic towards their academic affairs, you can play an important role in supporting and motivating them to get to the finish line! This doesn’t mean personally solving all their problems or finding them their dream job. Probably the most important thing you can do over the next few months is to listen and reassure them that everything is going to be okay.

Another way to support your student is to be aware of these upcoming events, traditions, and resources for seniors:

Commencement: May 1–3, 2020

  • Of course, the biggest event looming in the future for our senior students this semester is Commencement! Luckily the Commencement website is full of helpful information for both you and your student. Your student will want to pay special attention to the Commencement action item list to make sure they’re not missing any important events or deadlines. There is also a special section just for you, our guests that weekend. May will be here before we know it, so we encourage our families to plan ahead for what will be a busy, wonderful weekend filled with memorable moments.

Grad Fair: February 4, 2020

  • The Grad Fair is the Class of 2020’s one-stop shop for all the information they need about Commencement. All soon-to-be graduates are encouraged to stop by to ask questions or to purchase Commencement-related products. The Office of University Events staff will be available to answer graduation questions. Encourage your student to attend!

Application due date for Career CrossFit: February 5, 2020

  • Is your Senior thinking about what’s next? Are they wondering what they will do after graduation? Tell them the Career Center is here to help! Career CrossFit is a 3-session mini-series designed to help jumpstart their job search. Attendance at all three workshops is expected. The dates are February 7, 14, and 21 from 3–4 p.m. Students can access the application by logging into Handshake or Engage and checking out the events page.

Life After UP – #Adulting: March 26, 2020

  • Does thinking about the real world make your student want to put on pajamas and crawl into bed for a Netflix marathon? Seniors are invited to learn about Money Sense and How to Create Community Post-Grad at an event on March 26 called Life After UP: #Adulting. There will be time for seniors to share anything that they’re anxious about as they begin to navigate Life After UP. Members of UP’s GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Board and other UP alumni will be there to share advice and talk about how their journey after UP led them to where they are now. Spoiler: they’re still learning too! We encourage seniors to come eat pizza, learn a few things, and talk about how everything is going to be okay.

Senior Weekend at the Coast: March 27–28, 2020

  • In their last semester as UP students, all seniors have the opportunity to retreat from the rush of senior year and spend a weekend at the coast with their friends. This one-night retreat invites them to celebrate their experiences on The Bluff and gather wisdom for impending transitions.

Founders’ Day: April 7, 2020

  • On Founders’ Day, the University of Portland pauses to celebrate its rich past and promising future. UP honors its bold leaders who dared to dream of a Catholic university overlooking the Willamette River and learns from its most outstanding seniors whose research as undergraduates portends great things for the future. In recognition of the importance of both the past and the future, the University holds no classes on a Tuesday in April and instead opens its doors to learn from our best and brightest students.

Senior Night: April 22, 2020

  • Seniors are invited to a special evening including the “Last Lecture” in the Chapel, the Closing Bell Tower Ceremony, and Prost with Profs in the Pilot House.

Anchors Away: April 30, 2020

  • The Campus Program Board hosts this special event on the last day of finals week during the spring semester where faculty, staff, and students celebrate the successes of the year.

Cap & Gown Pick Up: April 30–May 1, 2020

Career Fairs: The University of Portland will host four career fairs, plus additional events and programs in the spring of 2020.

  • Friday, February 21, 2020.  The 2020 SWE STEM Career Fair will take place from 1:30–4:30 p.m. in Bauccio Commons, organized by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student organization, Shiley School of Engineering, and the Career Center. Employers will be recruiting for both internships and full-time positions within the areas of Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Bio-Medical Engineering (Graduate) as well as Biology, Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Environmental Science, and Operations & Technology Management.
  • Thursday, March 5, 2020. The Education Career Fair will take place from 5:30–7 p.m. in the Bauccio Commons.
  • Monday, April 20, 2020. The Health Professionals Fair will be held from 6–8 p.m. at the University of Portland.
  • Other career related events can be found here.

Alumni & Parent Relations: Ongoing

  • Both before and after graduation, the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations is here to support your student, including through the Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow program. Revisit this article about how our office can help connect students and provide resources.
  • One way that students can build connections is through UP Switchboard, the online platform where Pilots ask for what they need and offer what they have within the trusted University of Portland community. This is the perfect time for seniors to seek advice from UP alumni all over the country on careers, traveling, applying to grad school, and more. Encourage your student to sign up!
  • Throughout the spring semester, representatives from the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations will be making classroom visits to connect with seniors and share information about the resources available to them through their office.