Senior students commence countdown

The Senior Commencement Countdown has officially begun for the class of 2013, marked by this past Wednesday’s seniors-only commencement countdown event.

The event gave UConn seniors the opportunity to meet other fellow seniors while getting the perks of having seniority. Free senior T-shirts and senior buttons were given at the door. The button itself gives front-of-the line access to certain events and other discounts. One of the main benefits for seniors is the senior All-Access Pass. At the price of $30, the pass offers career webinars, alumni mentors in your field of interest, a network of 250,000 alumni worldwide and many other resources that can help seniors search and make connections within their field of interest. The pass also stays active for two years after graduation.

“I’m mainly interested in networking and making connections with other alumni once I’ve graduated,” said 7th-semester and computer science engineering major Jose Rodriguez. “I don’t care much for the other discounts.”

Other benefits of the pass include listings of upcoming job fairs, job and resume postings and Linkedln connections with UConn alumni by career or by location. If seniors were unable to attend the event, they can also buy the All-Access-Pass online through the UConn alumni website. The revenue collected from the purchase of the pass goes through a program that allows the Alumni association to provide scholarships to students and offer distinguished faculty or alumni awards according to their website.

Students don’t have to buy the pass; there is also the regular UCAA membership. Benefits includes 10 percent off at the Co-op, $100 off LSAT, GRE’s, GMAT and other test prep courses and discounts on local eateries. Regular senior benefits are free Oozeball, which is valued at $15, front of the line access at the Midnight Breakfast, $15 off for Hertz rentals and more discounts on eateries.

“I got the pass because it offers networking opportunities and stay in touch with UConn Career services,” said 7th-semester chemical engineering major Brian Ciezynski. “I’m still worried about getting a job since I currently don’t have anything lined up but career networking through this pass can help.”

The event also offered the opportunity for seniors to look into other possibilities of the future, aside from career perspectives such as insurances, opening a bank account and live cooking demonstrations. The Jostens class ring table gave the chance to win a free class ring and seniors could also sign up for portraits for the Nutmeg yearbook or take them on the spot.

“It’s time to make the most of the college experience. It’s just not about jobs and work, but hanging out with friends before graduation,” Ciezynski said.

More information about senior events can be found through either Senior E-News or the Senior Year Experience website.