Office of Student Activities



OSA_logo

Mission Statement:


The Office of Student Activities provides leadership opportunities furthering MSUM students' development and builds community through programs, activities, and student organizations.

 

Purpose
Senior Year Experience (SYE) is intended to address issues of transition from student to professional for Minnesota State University Moorhead seniors.  By drawing upon both campus and community resources for course curriculum to match relevant concerns, the SYE program will be an engaging opportunity for seniors to reflect upon their MSUM experience and become productive and confident MSUM alumni.
Session topics include:

  • Careers
  • Personal Finance
  • Wellness
  • Workplace Ethics
  • Leadership 
  • Transitions
  • Dress for Success 
  • Social and Dining Etiquette - dinner included.

Junior and seniors are welcome to register for Senior Year Experience.  Classes will be offered Fall semester.

  • Personal Development 310
  • 1 credit

Class Schedule

1.         Ready for the Real World: Successfully Preparing for Transition
Session highlights:
 - Overview of course and class expectations
 - Explore transitional phase of moving from college senior to new
   employee in career.
 - Discuss successful strategies of coping and change.
 - Learn from recent MSUM alumni on navigating the transition from college
   to professional realm.

2.         Dollars and Sense: Personal Finance 101
Session highlights:
 - Discuss and understand the importance of managing personal finances,
   including saving, tracking income and expenses, and setting a budget.
 - Learn about investing and retirement plans.
 - Discuss value of employee benefits from financial standpoint.
 - Discuss advantages and disadvantages between renting and buying
   a home.

3.         Leadership
Session highlights:
 - After completing leadership inventory, discuss personal leadership style.
 - Learn strengths and weaknesses of differing leadership styles.
 - Discuss the value of volunteering in the community after college.
 - Panel of local civic leaders will discuss how to get involved in the
   community.  (e.g. representatives from Rotary Club, ToastMasters,
   United Way, Lions, etc)

4.         Ethics in the Workplace
Session highlights:
 - Discuss workplace ethics and examine various ethical models.
 - Review relevant ethical case studies.

5.         Careers
Session highlights:
 - Receive pointers on how to successfully market your education to
   potential employers through resumes, cover letters and interviewing
   skills.
 - Learn salary negotiation strategies, especially concerning first job
   salary and benefits.
 - Develop awareness of graduate schools and application tips.
 - Panel of local employers will present what skills, attitudes and knowledge
   are desirable for incoming employees to have.

6.         Wellness
Session highlights:
 - Discuss the wellness model and engage in self-assessments of personal
   wellness.
 - Learn the importance of developing a sense of "wellness" as a
   life-long process.
 - Practice stress-management exercises.

7.         Dress for Success
Session highlights:
 - Develop a working knowledge of social and/or workplace etiquette.
 - Gain understanding of the importance of dress in creating a workplace
   impression.
 - For men: learn to tie that tie!

8.         Social and Dining Etiquette - dinner included
Session highlights:
 - Attend a dinner designed to build confidence when confronted with a fine
   dining experience in the job search process.
 - Learn how to navigate intricate table settings, appropriate use of flatware,
   conversing while eating, and other potential social etiquette "pitfalls."
 - Questions will be answered by an etiquette expert who will be on hand to
   coach participants through the dinner.
- Minnesota State University Moorhead Alumni representatives will explain the
   Alumni opportunities and benefits.

Coordinator
Beverly Lahlum, Assistant Director of Leadership & Organizations
477.2120
lahlumbe@mnstate.edu
CMU 229