Graduates seek new beginnings

In a few short weeks graduating seniors will leave the University at Buffalo and propel themselves into the real world, where parties and homework no longer hold top priority.

Graduating can mean a variety of things to the class of 2005, whether it's embarking on a new job or beginning graduate school. For Meredith Howie, senior dance major and philosophy minor, graduation marks the end of schooling at UB, and the beginning of a new and exciting career opportunity overseas.

Howie will retire her books after July 27, and say goodbye to her fellow dance majors as she embarks on her new job with the production company entitled Stiletto Entertainment.

She will be performing for the Holland America cruise lines as a company dancer, in two shows, five or six nights a week. The productions will include a variety of Broadway, Vegas-style and jazz dancing, and will entertain thousands on the cruise ship.

Howie, a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company at UB who has been dancing for nearly a decade, said she found the job online and auditioned last summer in Cleveland.

"I signed a six-month contract, but if I decide that I like it, I can renew the agreement for longer," she said. "After that there are opportunities to move up to Dance Captain, which pays more."

Howie, like other new graduates, said she would be using her job as a stepping-stone to what she eventually wants to do, by saving money and gaining experience.

"I plan on doing the cruise ship until I get sick of the traveling, then moving to New York City and hopefully dancing in a Broadway show or a dance company," she said.

Although competition in the dancing field can be tough, Howie said that UB had fully prepared her for life outside of campus. The most difficult thing she said, would be saying goodbye to her close family and friends.

"I dance with the same 30 people for like eight hours each day, every day, and I'll be far away from my family," said Howie. "I haven't been without seeing my parents for more than a month and I'll miss my dogs too," she laughed.

Other students agree that leaving behind the university environment is tough, but worth the challenges.

Abigail Palmer, senior political science major, is delaying law school in exchange for a job as an assistant wedding planner in Walt Disney World.

Palmer, who interned with Walt Disney World Resorts as a tour guide a few semesters ago, gave VIP tours to celebrities like Jim Carrey and others before being accepted to her advanced internship position. She will be the "right hand man" for her wedding planner at the Grand Floridian Wedding Chapel.

"It's such a fantastic place to work," said Palmer, "the guest satisfaction is amazing there, and making people happy makes it worthwhile.

Abby plans on working in Disney World from June until October, and then attending law school, which has been her ultimate goal since she was a little girl.

Although Abby has had a successful undergraduate career, she felt like she needed some time off from undergrad before continuing her education.

"I need some time to pay off my bills, and enjoy my youth," she said.

With her decision to work for Disney World, she'll be living in a specific housing development for interns like herself in Orlando Florida, about 15 minutes away from where she'll be working. Interns pay only about $300 a month for rent, a discounted rate for their excellent housing suites.

While some students have jobs lined up, others are leaving their options open.

Miguel Ramirez, a senior finance major originally from Queens, will be packing up his party lifestyle and his suitcases and heading for North Carolina about a week after classes end.

Miguel, whose parents moved to an area between Greensboro, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina about five years ago, decided to move in with his parents for a while to save money and find a career in a more prosperous job market, hopefully in marketing, which he enjoys.

"I've heard the job market is better down there," said Ramirez. "I also realized that if I moved back to New York City and found a job there, I'd be spending all my money on food, gas and housing. I want to pay down some of my loans before I spend money on those things."

Ramirez also said that delaying getting a job would allow him to enjoy his social life and give him a chance to make friends in North Carolina before settling down to business.

Like many other students in the same position, Ramirez believes that the prospect of living in the real world is an intimidating one.

"I definitely wanted to prepare more for life after graduation," said Miguel, "but I think things will work out for the best. UB taught me that only you can make things happen, you have to take responsibility for your actions, and if you need something done, you need to prepare for it."