Kaley Patterson
A&E Editor
@KaleyKayPatt
Prospective students and community members interested in taking their education to the graduate level filled the second floor of the MCC for the first Graduate Studies Preview Night of the year on Oct. 14.
The university has six graduate programs altogether in the business, education and behavioral science departments. Attendees learned about the different tracks offered at Cameron and the career opportunities within their perspective fields, as well as how to apply and pay for graduate school.
Faculty and staff from each department conducted different sessions in their fields, and representatives from different student services gave financial and career advice to those interested in pursuing master’s degrees. The event was put together by Prospective Student Services and Enrollment Management.
Coordinator of Transfer and Graduate Admissions Ashley Del Ciello was responsible for the preview night and said the event was an opportunity for students to meet with the faculty and staff in the departments from which they want to pursue master’s degrees.
The program was separated into two sessions, based on the graduate department and the programs offered within each department. Del Ciello said the sessions gave students a chance to learn more about what’s expected of them in their master’s programs.
“For a lot of folks,” Del Ciello said, “it’s their first exposure to getting information about a graduate program. Others, it’s also their last step before choosing the program they want to pursue.”
Between sessions, the prospective graduate students met with representatives from Career Services, Financial Assistance, Admissions and Veteran Affairs.
Senior Communication major McKenzie Talley attended the Graduate Studies Preview Night without knowledge of the master’s degree she would want to obtain.
“This is the first time of me being here and learning about Organizational Leadership,” Talley said. “It’s really something that sparked my interest, so I don’t know necessarily what kinds of jobs are available through that, but I think it’s something I want to look into and possibly pursue.”
Talley said the night was informative, and she liked the possibility obtaining her master’s while having a career.
Juniors, seniors and community members were invited to attend the preview night, including those who had no prior desire to achieve a master’s degree and those who wanted to pursue one elsewhere. Del Ciello said the event was geared more towards the programs offered at Cameron, but there were some elements applicable to others.
Del Ciello encouraged students to assess their reasons to purse their master’s, whether it’s to further their education, receive financial benefits or maybe just to broaden their opportunities.
Del Ciello also said students should identify how much time they have to devote to their master’s degrees and that students should inquire from the faculty within their departments for experienced advice.
In the spring, there will be another Graduate Studies Preview Night, but Del Ciello said it will be much different from the one this fall. After the last preview night, a survey was conducted over the helpfulness of the event to attendees.
Del Ciello said the last evaluation revealed that many people wanted more time to meet with the faculty in their departments. To meet those needs, there will be three, separate events for the Graduate Studies Preview next spring – one each for the business, education and behavioral science programs.