The End of an Era?

The semester is over. I passed all my classes, including my accreditation exam. I walked across the stage at the graduation ceremony. I even did a little celebrating. But can it really be the end of my college career?

I was unsuccessful in my attempt to actually graduate this semester. Despite my passing the accreditation exam I was still not allowed to join the ranks of my fellow graduates. Although I understand the need for the university to impose certain criteria for obtaining a degree, I do not think that they need to be interpreted so rigidly.

Clearly I have shown competence by the simple act of passing my accreditation exam. I even found out that at least one of my class mates, who is graduating, did not pass the accreditation exam. That fact alone was enough to beg the question of what the real 6requirements for graduation are. Even my capstone professor concedes to my expertise in the degree program, but there is simply nothing he can do to expedite my diploma. I just don’t have the right classes to fill the mold of the GVSU IS degree requirement. What a load of crap.

As far as I am concerned I am a graduate. I am officially a member of the alumni association as was stated in their welcome email to me shortly after I walked. I passed my accreditation exam. This tells me that I am just as competent as any other IS major graduating this semester. Now it is time to decide what to do next.

I have been waiting for weeks for word from my boss in Key West to talk about the details of my new position at his company. However, with complications in his private life as well as complications at work, we have yet to talk about the job at all. This puts me in a very uncomfortable position. All of my sources tell me that the job is mine and that it is just a matter of working out the details. However, for me the details are everything. I need to know exactly what my salary is and benefits will be so I can weigh the costs and benefits of transplanting myself half way across the country.

My only other alternative is to sign up for the last semester of classes I have to take and really graduate. The biggest problem with that is that financing my illustrious educational career has become a bit of a strain. The government apparently will not be helping out anymore as they believe that it is time that I get out of school and become a productive member of society. I think it would be nice if they and GVSU got together and talked. It might help my case.

None the less, it is good to be done with this semester. I am excited to see what the summer months bring. I can tell it’s going to be very interesting either way. I also sense romance in the air. Yay for young love!