A college atmosphere hosts a myriad of opportunities and experiences to help students prepare for the real world—from the invariable post-chapel mixer to diverse clubs and extracurricular activities.

Despite these manifold attractions, still a looming question hangs over the heads of most graduating seniors: what next?

To help with the difficult process of unearthing this next step, the Center for Calling & Career hosts an annual graduate school fair designed to familiarize students with the wide world of higher education.

“The purpose of the Grad School Fair is to inform students about the application process and let them know of the many possibilities that exist,” said Dr. Debby White, director of the Center for Calling & Career and the Poeima Project. “The fair is a convenient way to meet with professional recruiters from a variety of graduate institutions and collect resources at one time and in one place.”

Both the Center for Calling & Career and the Poeima Project were designed to provide students from all areas of the scholastic world with the answers they need as they continue in their education.

Never underestimate the power of networking: even students in their first or second year of undergraduate studies should consider the Grad School Fair a viable option for collecting information about their future plans.

“It is much better to be thinking and planning ahead than to find yourself scrambling at the last minute over a decision as important as graduate education,” White said.

She recommends that students attend the fair and ask questions as well as meet representatives from the graduate schools represented.

The Graduate School Fair is on Wednesday, September 24 in the Centenary Room from 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. The fair plans to host 35 graduate schools.

Jordan Davis is a sophomore English writing major. She is a student worker for the Center for Calling & Career.