Graduates to graduates: Stay positive

APPLETON - US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that people who have college degrees tend to have a job. Although that might be music to college graduates' ears, the prospect of stepping out into the real world can be quite scary.

Sunday, hundreds of soon-to-be Lawrence University graduates, along with friends and family, waited for the moment to begin taking the final steps towards their professional careers.

"You will enter into a world where there will be numerous challenges. Paying off student loans, getting a job," said Lawrence University commencement speaker Anton Valukas, a 1965 graduate and current chairman of the Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block.

Waiting to get that ever-important last piece to the puzzle that is a college education - a diploma.

However, a bigger puzzle for some is what to do after college, like bio-chemistry major Ornella Hills.

"I plan to work in Appleton for a year and then work again somewhere else, more warm in the states!" said Hills, who is an international student from Kingston, Jamaica.

Hills doesn’t have her post-college plans lined up just yet.

“I'm slightly terrified,” said Hills. “But I think it will all work out."

US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that people who have college degrees have lower rates of unemployment, compared to those with some college education, a high school degree or none at all.

“I'm really excited to go out there to inspire the youth of the new generation," said Kyle Brauer of La Crosse.

The music and theater education major says he has a student teaching job lined up in Manitowoc next year.

However, he says he's not trying to put the cart before the horse when it comes to landing a job.

He’s taking more of a “if you build it, they will come” approach.

"There are always going to be jobs that we need to keep music in the schools, and the arts in the schools,” said Brauer. “So, like, the more people that can get out there to teach it, the better it's going to be."

As for some advice for any recent graduates out there?

"Good luck. Stay positive,” said biology major Stan Jablonski. “Eventually you'll get where you want to go. You just got to know that and move forward. Don't stand still, keep moving forward."