Ohio Wesleyan: Real Life 101

As seniors are getting prepared to graduate and move on to the next chapter of their lives, they can be met with feelings of uncertainty and excitement. Ohio Wesleyan University wants to offer support and helpful navigation as they move forward in their journey.

To help their students, they offer a program called Real Life 101. This program offers guided preparation for any obstacle or opportunity that may emerge during their post-graduate experiences. This program is sponsored by Ohio Wesleyan’s own Career Connection office.

This program equips graduating students with the necessary and practical tools they may need. From offering networking opportunities to learning how to navigate homeownership, they are setting up students to succeed long after their time at OWU comes to an end. 

Real Life 101 is not coming up on its sixth year as a successful program at OWU. This program was founded by Leigh Mascolino and Mindy Agin, but the team for this program includes: Leigh Mascolino, Mindy Agin, Carolyn Lammert, Newton Kimberly, Sophie Leohner, and Kayla Montanaro. This team is very driven and optimistic in making sure OWU students are prepared and successful.

Participants in this program work directly with one or multiple alumni mentors in their field of interest and a career catalyst from Career Connection to help refine their resume, practice interviewing skills, and build a personalized professional plan.

The program also includes professional workshops that are chosen by students and the connection office. These workshops can include job search strategies, personal finance, diplomacy, finding housing, and even how to build relationships through networking. Additionally, these workshops are not just a one-size-fits-all; they are catered to what the student is interested in learning more about. 

Beyond skills and strategies, Real Life 101 creates a supportive environment and community for seniors who are navigating a huge life milestone and transition. Participants graduate from the program and the university with an approved job-application-ready resume, professional contacts, professional business cards, career sources, and even specialized graduation cords that recognize the commitment of students who are preparing themselves for post-graduate careers and experiences.

This program helps students realize that post-grad is not only about finding a career, but it is also about finding stability, building confidence, and utilizing OWU’s alumni resources. Importantly, this program was intentionally created not to add stress to an already demanding senior year workload. It also allows students to choose workshops that align with their interests and their schedules.

The experience of this program remains flexible and manageable for any type of student. This program complements students' academic responsibilities. For students who will be entering their final year of university in 2027, Real Life 101 is an opportunity worth taking advantage of.