This article explains the origins of Delaware Valley College's (DVC) "Professional Development Seminar," jointly developed by DVC's Office of Career and Life Education and the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce to help seniors prepare for their transition from college to the workplace. Also outlines the program's content methodology and details its…

Reviews the practice of holding exit interviews with graduating psychology students at Loyola University (Louisiana). Discusses the benefits and limitations of exit interviews, stating that they provide unique data unavailable from other sources. (GEA)

A survey of the best in event ideas, settings, and themes for alumni programs is discussed. Traveling reunions at Greenhill School, a private screening of "Ghostbusters II," morning breakfasts of alumni at Purdue University, are among those described. Capturing the attention of graduating seniors before they leave campus is advocated. (MLW)

The speech communication unit of the Department of Communications at the University of South Carolina at Aiken uses an exit interview to obtain students' evaluations of their educational experiences, to assess students' understanding of core concepts, and to evaluate the quality of students' communication skills. The three-member speech…

Ways to establish a senior class gift and pledge program are discussed. Senior gift campaigns solicit an out-right cash gift, collected before graduation. Pledge programs can run anywhere from a 1-year commitment, to a 25-year commitment. (MLW)

A study by Andrew M. Greeley and Joe Spaeth in 1972 that offered clues about why people support higher education institutions was used by Brown University to improve their alumni program. A survey of Brown's seniors provides data on student attitudes about Brown and their involvement as alumni.

Senior seminars established at St. Mary's College (Maryland) as capstone courses for majors are intended to offer an interdisciplinary perspective and enable students to demonstrate mastery of skills. Assignments typically include writing a major paper, conducting a research project, or leading a class discussion. (MSE)

When the student load became too much to handle, one university found a way to lessen the workload and still provide for individual needs. (Author)

Some very satisfying results came about when the career planning and placement office at Albion College contacted each senior at mid-year to ask about career plans. (Author)

Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania) graduates are known to be well-educated and capable, so the career center focuses more closely on finding the right job fit for graduates than on just finding jobs. Program components include an expanded staff, access to a database of alumni contacts, seminars on job searches and networking, resume reviews, and…

Two University of Rhode Island teachers, of journalism and economics, designed student projects simulating real interactions between professional journalists and economists. The projects increased both groups' ability to communicate, awareness of communication needs, interdisciplinary understanding, and mutual respect. (MSE)

Examines the concerns of Kalamazoo College (Michigan) seniors about job security as they approach graduation. Many of the liberal arts school's students seek security over financial success. Kalamazoo programs help prepare graduates with off-campus work experience and exposure to career options. (MSE)

Reports on a program that gives college seniors in a public relations curriculum needed professional experience by assigning them to work with professionals in a nearby city. (RL)

Activities are described that illustrate the ways new emphases on structure, liberal arts curriculum, attention to basic skills, a global approach, four-year study courses, and non-lecture pedagogy are being incorporated into college curricula across the country. An opening essay ("The General Education Reform: Accomplishments and Future Agenda")…

Six undergraduate humanities courses and programs with a variety of structures and focuses are described, and sources of further information are given. (MSE)