As graduation quickly approaches for many Weber State University students the ominous question is left looming in the air: What’s next?
For several WSU students, this question already has an answer.
Kirk McKinlay, a non-traditional WSU student, made the decision to enroll in higher education after realizing his career in IT left him desiring more human interaction.
McKinlay is receiving his degree in radiologic sciences and will be graduating this semester. He felt as though radiology perfectly mixed his background in IT work as well as incorporating his desire for connection with others.
Following his graduation, McKinlay plans to begin a doctorate in teaching. As a non-traditional student, he realized that a lot of undergraduate programs are geared toward traditional college-aged students. McKinlay hopes that moving forward he can teach students in a way that is comprehensive and engaging to individuals of all ages.
“I think helping students gain a better grasp of concepts would make them stronger radiologic technologists,” McKinlay said.
Tenda Hogue, a WSU senior, is set to receive her Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and two certificates in the same field this fall.
Roughly a month ago, Hogue got a full-time job at a social work office that covers child support and family involvement. Following her graduation, she plans to stay with her current place of employment.
Hogue would eventually love to be a victim’s advocate coordinator, a dream sparked through an internship that allowed her to shadow someone in a similar role.
“I think that being a victim’s coordinator would be a great opportunity because a lot of victims don’t know their rights in the court,” Hogue said.
Hogue also aspires to get her master’s in criminal justice or sociology one day.
Christopher Blockston, a WSU honor student, is a double major and will receive a Bachelor of Science in both management information systems and supply chain management.
As a non-traditional student, Blockston had the opportunity to work in his field of study and see some of the problems within it. With his degrees, Blockston hopes to move forward as a problem solver in the supply chain industry.
Following graduation, Blockston has a job lined up that falls within his fields of study that he will begin in mid-December.
“School did exactly what it was supposed to… it got me a higher paying job and a more prominent position,” Blockston said.
Raissa Rohbuck is graduating with her associate in general studies this fall but will continue her education in the spring. She will proceed with her study of criminal justice, international studies and linguistic studies.
Rohbuck is currently working as an outreach specialist and recruiter for WSU’s criminal justice department. Following her graduation, she plans to continue with this job as well as pursue her studies further at WSU.
Rohbuck’s end goal is to attend law school. She would like to use that degree to do research on criminal and immigration law, become a professor and eventually work for the International Criminal Court.
“I love to find ways to make things better and more inclusive. So that’s my goal, to be a professor to learn about generational differences,” Rohbuck said. “Generations think differently and we need to adjust with each one to make our criminal justice system better.”
Naomi Elmer is graduating next month with her bachelor’s in chemistry. Although she is excited for the next steps in her life, Elmer is sad to leave WSU.
“Weber is kind of like a well-kept secret; I love this school,” Elmer said.
Following her graduation Elmer plans to apply to graduate schools, just to see if anything materializes. She hopes to work in the chemistry industry, ideally doing something environmental-based.
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