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Societies tap alumni expertise
Lynn White remembers what it was like to be a senior education major struggling to start a job search. Luckily, the Annual Spring Education Conference set her on her career path. The event, sponsored by the College of Educationšs Society of Alumni and Friends, is where she met Duane Johnson, BSED š74, a work study coordinator for Mount Vernon (Ohio) City Schools. He helped the 1997 graduate land a position as a first- and second-grade teacher with his district.
That's why White was determined to get back to campus this past spring for the 2001 conference. She was one of 30 College of Education alumni from across Ohio to share professional advice with more than 100 education majors. Visiting teachers and administrators led more than a dozen panel discussions on topics ranging from interviewing techniques to hands-on strategies for teaching science.
"My biggest piece of advice to graduating seniors is to appreciate the support staff within the school where you work," White says. "Treat those people the same way you want to be treated because they make your life a lot easier and often are taken for granted.
"As a teacher, you have to be able to respond to different experiences every day," she adds. "Learning that flexibility before entering the classroom will make that transition a lot easier."
The Alumni Association's 17 societies provide opportunities for alumni and students to interact on campus. The mission of the societies is to give alumni information about activities and events occurring in their respective colleges, schools and departments and to draw upon their expertise as advisers.
"Many alumni want to give back to the University, and college and special interest societies allow them to do that by committing time, energy and knowledge," says Judith Johnson, assistant director of alumni relations for societies and campus relations. "Societies host a number of events around the country, many of which recently have been attended by faculty and staff, and others are actively recruiting students. Some societies also are in a position to offer scholarships, which is a tremendous benefit for students."
And students appreciate the commitment.
"The education conference means a lot to students," says Jaimie Jakubcin, a senior early childhood education major. "It's good to hear from superintendents and administrators exactly what they are looking for in a candidate."
For more information about societies, contact Johnson at (740) 593-4300 or johnsoj2@ohio.edu.
Amanda York, BSJ '01, an account administrator at Dan Pinger Public Relations Inc. in Cincinnati, was a student writer for University Communications and Marketing in 2000-01.
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