The Rocket

Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Opinion

There are three types of graduating seniors, those who can count, and those who can't.

On May 12, 2007, I, like the 1,130 other graduates, will be shaking hands with President Smith, smiling for the cameras, and praying for good weather.

But as finals week approaches and the last test is administered, for most of us it will be hard to adjust to life outside of our college community, because, let's face it, not all of us are ready.

I came to SRU in 2004 not sure if I wanted to join the newspaper staff. Like every other student, I thought that I just needed to attended classes, do my assignments, and graduate.

Sounds pretty simple to do and then land a successful job and live happily ever after.

Talking with a few professors I quickly realized that getting involved with an organization like The Rocket would benefit me in more ways than any classroom situation or homework ever could.

My decision to join the newspaper has given me a surplus of portfolio work as well as pages of resume material.

To put things into perspective, there are more than 300 communication students at this university. Roughly 30 of these students contribute to The Rocket on a weekly basis, another 30 are in the Public Relations Student Society of America organization, and less than a handful are involved with WSRU-TV.

It's a shame that less than three percent of the communication students are actively involved within their major and that they will have nothing to show for it other than the homework they do in class.

Why is this so terrible?

Because you and more than 250 other students will all have the same material in your portfolios with no examples to set you apart from the other students. That is the ultimate definition of weak sauce.

There are those who will say that college is supposed to be the best four years of your life. That may be, but getting involved with something that is really worthwhile and having it apply to your major can be an even greater experience.

As for what little time I have left at this university, I felt that I should thank those professors who helped guide me along my journey.

To Dr. Zeltner, I thank you because you sent me down the right path. Dr. Harry, for filling in in a time of need. Dr. Barnett for letting me repackage some television shows and his love of '80s rock.

Dr. Flynn, for making me realize that freedom of speech is a valuable thing. Dr. Swarts for watching me sing and dance in New York. And the rest of you crazy kids in rooms 213 and 222.

There are three more thank you's I have to hand out.

To my fellow Rocketers, the past three years have been great. I know we left you in good hands. Marilyn Garczynski for keeping a hungry Rocket staff fed on Thursday nights. Last, but most importantly, my parents. Without them, none of this would be possible, I love you both.

Upon graduation some may say, "I don't know if I am ready for the real world." I say, "On the contrary, I dont think the real world is ready for me."

Nathan Collins is a senior communication major and the photography editor for The Rocket.

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