EXIT INTERVIEWS: CLASS OF 2023

Graduation is only about a week away for some of us, while at this point it is less then week away for other. Graduation takes place on campus this semester due to President Stacy Robertson wanting it to be split up due to the colleges that the graduating seniors are in. These three seniors are within the Arts and Science college and their graduation are Thursday May 11 at 10am. It is the event that we all have looking forward to and fighting for since we entered college. The three seniors that I chose to interview are Morgan Ferriola, a nursing major. The second is Madi B Smith, who is a History Major with a minor in African American Studies. The final person is Gabby M Norris, an English major with minors in Creative Writing and French. 

1. What are you doing after graduation? 

1. Morgan: I am going to be working at Paoli Hospital, as an Emergency Department Nurse which is a part of the Mainline health residency Program. 

1. Madi: I am looking for an internship, and if everything goes right it will be at the Pennsylvania historic society in Philadelphia to work with the archives. Then I’ll be going to Temple Law and will be apart of the class of 2026 and graduate with a law degree if everything goes to plan. 

1.  Gabby: I am doing a couple of things. I am finishing up my master’s program, I have a year left at Rosemont, So, I will be taking two creative writing courses in the fall, and two in the spring semesters. Then I’ll graduate with my maser next spring. And then I’m looking for a couple of internships possibilities this summer.  

1. Why did you choose this specific path, and what made you want to do this career path? 

1. Morgan: I chose to go into Nursing because it was always something that she wanted to do. She had the drive and the ambition to help people. I also had the opportunity to shadow nurses during my high school career, that also helped shape me into this career path.  

1. Madi: I defiantly knew when I was younger that I was interested in law, I did mock trial in high school and we ere very completive and successful team. This made me realize that some of that nature of what litigation would require is something that I thought I was good at, and in college I strengthened a lot of my reading and writing skills by being a history major. I felt everything was moving in the right direction to go to law school at this point.  

1. Gabby: Well, I chose this path because I know that I will get the job better suited to me with a masters. I’d love to be an editor down the line, and I know that I will have a better chance getting that job with my master’s degree. Not to mention taking more creative writing class helps me be a more rounded writer, which I can apply to my personal projects.  

1. Are you going to grad school, If so, which one? 

1. Morgan: I do want to go back to school, and get my Nurse Practitioner degree. I do want to wait a before she set out on another academic journey. I would be open to coming back to Widener to gain my nurse Practitioner degree, but I am trying to keep my options open in terms of schools.  

1. Madi: I chose to go to Temple Law School for two reasons. the first part of that is that they gave me a full ride, and the second part is they have a really great trial advocacy program and litigation is something that I am really interested in. They also have some really great Alumni that work in Philadelphia, and that is where I would like to work. If everything goes to plan like I said, that is why I chose Temple.  

1. Gabby: I Chose Rosemont because Widener has a partnership with Rosemont, which allows me to be done in half the time then a normal graduate program, doing this track also gave me a major tuition discount. I got half off of my masters, since they have that partnership. It was a huge leg up, very accessible.  

1. Are you looking forward to graduation? 

1. Morgan: I am super happy and excited to graduate and that Graduation is back on campus this year, and not in Philly like the previous years. This is much more meaningful to have it on the campus that we have gone to all 3-4 years that we have been going to this school.  

1. Madi: Absolutely, I really enjoyed being at widener and I think I got some really great experiences at Widener, but I defiantly think that I am ready for Law school, graduate school, and further learning.  

1. Gabby: I am incredible looking forward to both of my graduations. I am more excited to Widener’s graduation, since I feel as though I put more time and effort into widener. Being able to see that pay off in a week is very exciting time.  

1. What is one thing that you are looking forward to before or after graduation? 

1. Morgan: So, this is a two-part question. Before graduation I am looking forward to the senior weekend events that Widener is having for graduating seniors, which is a great way to end out the year. After graduation I am looking forward to actually having a summer off, and taking time for myself before I start my new job. 

1. Madi: Before graduation I think I am looking forward to the last interactions in classes with my peers and Professors, I think that I have had a really great time in my history classes. I am also looking forward to hanging out with people further. After graduation I am looking forward to seeing family more frequently for sure.  

1. Gabby: After Graduation I am looking forward to moving out of my house, and into an apartment. I feel like it will be really exciting to live on my own and be independent for the first time. To really just jump in feet first into adult hood. I am looking forward to fostering dogs, its something that I’m really passionate about, and I want to start fostering after I graduate.  

1. What is one thing that you're going to miss about going to Widener? 

1. Morgan: I’m going to miss everything that I’m is involved in. I am very involved on campus with Fraternity and sorority life, WDC, The Commuter Student Association, and the Nurses association. I am especially going to miss seeing all of my friends that I have made in those clubs, organizations, and being so involved with my Widener Pride Family. 

1. Madi: I am going to miss the location of Widener; I like the smaller campus feel. I’ll be in Philly, and it’s a lot bigger school a lot less grass to lay around in 

1. Gabby: I’m gonna miss dance, I feel like widener has a really tight knit dance community. I had a blast teaching hip-hop and watching everyone pick up the choreo. As well as being able to watch them grow as their teacher. I’m really gonna miss the classes and recitals.  

1. Are you feeling the burn out the closer we get to graduation? 

1. Morgan: I mentally graduated over spring break so she has been riding out the senioritis wave for the past month and a half.  

1. Madi: Yeah, I think so. But I also feel like that’s a normal reaction for a lot of the people. Senioritis has defiantly kicked in. 

1. Gabby: Yes, I definitely am feeling more burnt out.  

1.  Is there something that is helping you combat the burnt out feeling the closer we get to graduation?  

1. Morgan: I have been taking more time for myself, and I have gotten back into reading books that I actually enjoy reading instead of just textbooks. I have also tried to get in as much time in with my friends since we are leaving in just about a week.  

1. Madi: I think it’s just a habit at this point. I have a habit of getting a lot of things done. I have a lot of little side passion projects that I am doing outside of my classes, that motivate me to keep going. But for the Homework, the essays, and the tests its basically I’ve been here for a couple of years, I know the process, and I know how to get things done. 

1. Gabby: Making sure I stay social has been helping a lot. Yeah, this is partly why I agreed to this interview. I also like to make sure that I am still a part of my community, by going out. I’m planning study hangouts, and I’m planning productivity sessions has also helped. Ultimately Hanging out with my friends has helped a great deal.