As many of you may already know, all spring 2020 commencement ceremonies have been postponed until further notice. However, graduating students will still be receiving their degrees as scheduled. We understand the significance of this moment for you and your maverick, and we know that this crisis only makes the graduation experience even scarier. If you’re a senior at UTA this year (or the parent of one) you may be experiencing mixed feelings of excitement, relief, dread, fear, and uncertainty.
Unfortunately, some students may have lost opportunities over the summer due to “non-essential” jobs and industries being shut down for the summer or until further notice.
If you (or your student) is struggling with moving forward, please know that there are still some ways to prepare for the summer and your future career amid this pandemic.
Our Parent and Family Portal recently published an article, Preparing for a Great Summer Amid Uncertainty, which talks about ways to stay busy this summer while also working towards a potential job/career, such as volunteering, building a strong resume and LinkedIn profile, and even learning a new language. For those that are ready for the job market, here are some Tips for a Job Search During the Coronavirus Pandemic, and for those that may still be trying to figure out what to do, or are simply wanting a break before deciding how to move forward, here are several ways to Build Employable Skill Sets Online, such as free and low-cost online courses and certifications.
Also, please know that this is naturally a very stressful time for all students, even for those that may appear that they have everything under control. Deadlines, exams, essays, final projects, and their overall workload can become very overwhelming, especially for this time of year. Stay positive and remember that family support can make a huge difference. Communicate with your student/family to help identify signs of stress and find support during this transition. Here are two helpful articles that can help in Supporting Your Student Through the Stressful End of the Semester, as well as Coping Strategies to Help with Student Stress.
Walking across the stage is still a significant moment for many. Please know that students will still be given this opportunity. The university is considering several date options, in addition to other ways to honor our graduates. Once plans are finalized, the information will be shared and posted to www.uta.edu/commencement.
Good luck to all Seniors!
Your UTA Parent and Family Team