I am a 3rd year student majoring in economics at a prestigious New England university.  Imagine my surprise when one of my professors mentioned in class this morning that in spite of the fact that some of us are juniors, some of us would fail to make the grade to graduate from this university next year.  This professor is not one of my favorite teachers.  But I keep wondering what did he mean and why wouldn't I be able to graduate next year.  Do you have any idea?  I don't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that his comments worried me, but they did.  My parents would disown me, if after all this time and money, I didn't graduate on time.  I am anxiously waiting for your reply.  Thank you.

Dear Sleepless Saleema:

As my Mother told me, when I went off to college, Don't let this education make a fool out of you!   If your professor ever says something in class that you do not understand, it is your obligation to find out what he meant directly from him.  I cannot possibly know what he was thinking specifically, so ask him.  Meanwhile, I can tell you the top 10 reasons why some students can put in the time, that is four years of college, and still not graduate from college.

1. Failure to understand degree requirements.
2. Failure to remove incomplete or other problem grades from their transcripts.
3. Taking college courses, without ever being formally admitted into a degree granting program.
4. Failure to meet with their academic advisor to have a degree audit which identifies necessary coursework that they must take to graduate.
5. Discovering courses needed, but not having sufficient time to complete them before graduation.
6. Avoiding taking a mandatory requirement (such as Science) until the senior year and then not being able to pass it.
7. Taking too many required credit hours in the senior year in order to graduate on time and then having to drop out from nervous exhaustion.
8. Being in a program that traditionally takes more than four years to complete, thinking they can do it faster.
9. Failing to pay financial obligations.
10. Getting senioritis also known as becoming too anxious to get out, too immature and afraid of moving out into the real world and leaving college life behind, too busy partying, too much in love, or just too distracted to study or keep up with their requirements in the final year.

Every year, I encounter students who, for any one or a combination of these reasons, will not be graduating in their senior year.  Some are able to recover and may complete degree requirements in that year, though not graduating with their class, while others ultimately need more time.

My advice to students is to meet with their academic advisor or a counselor at least once a year, every year that they are in college.  Let them help you to map out your course of study and to stay on track.  This is especially important if you are a transfer student, are in a program that has changed degree requirements or if you have switched majors several times.  Making the grade and graduating is yet another part of managing the college system.  Your can't graduate without it.
 

My problem may sound small, but I honestly don't know what to do.  I am a college sophomore, but have not started to interview for an internship, even though my major requires it.  The reason I have not interviewed is because I really don't have any clothes that would be right to wear.  Most of the time I wear skirts or jeans, with sweaters and tops.  I was raised by my great aunt and she just doesn't have money to send me.  I am on scholarship.  I have very little money.  I am not close to any of my other family, which I don't like to talk about.  I do not own a suit.  My best friend is much larger than me and her clothes swamp me.  I don't have anyone else that I could ask who I know and wears my size.  I don't just want to go around begging and announcing to everyone that I don't have clothes to wear.  Do you have any suggestions?  My money is real short too.  I could use your advice right now.

Dear Wyondot:

I am sensitive to how difficult it sometimes is to get what you need. Please do not be too embarrassed to ask for help. I am certain that there are people on your campus who can assist you in solving this problem.  First of all, you need to be aware that many interviewers who recruit on campus today are already sensitive to the fact that students may not have the business attire often expected in the interview process.

Over and over interviewers remind me that the real emphasis in the interview is on what you know and what you can contribute to their organization, so please keep this in mind.  Now, I would like for you to make an appointment with the career counselor at your university to discuss this matter further.  Your career center counselor can tell you how strict are the interview requirements for internship interviews.  Sometimes, the recruiters will have indicated to the Career Center that casual attire is acceptable.  This has proven to be the case in a lot more campus interviews as a result of some businesses moving to a business casual dress standard in their work environments.  But be sure to understand what is meant by business casual.  It usually does not mean jeans or gym shoes.  But a skirt and blouse or sweater may be perfectly fine.  I am also aware of some college career offices that maintain an "Interview Closet" and others that have periodic used interviewing clothes sales to assist students who may not have appropriate attire for their interviews.  Your career counselor may also have other avenues for getting clothing contribution, without your having to ask directly.  Also, ask your career counselor to check to see if the Financial Aid Office has any special loan funds that your specific need might fall under. The call from the Career Center will give credibility to such a request, if such funds are available.  Just remember, you are not alone in this situation.  But you have got to be willing to ask for help.  If your campus does not have such services, investigate Goodwills, thrift shops or consignment shops via the Yellow Pages of the local telephone directory or call information.  These shops have very nice, inexpensive used clothes.  Try to visit a local department store's career clothes department, to learn about mixing separates to achieve a professional look on a shoestring.  Once you've done this, you will be in a better position to coordinate clothes for an interview.  If you've got a skirt and top, all you may need is a nice solid color blazer.  Before you buy anything, exhaust all possibilities to borrow something until you are in a better financial situation.  Once you interview, you may get an exciting, paid internship that will lighten your financial load and provide you with funds to buy your first brand new interviewing outfit for the future interviewing opportunities!

I wish you the best.  Thanks for giving me the opportunity to address your concern.
 

Linda Bates Parker is your Online Campus Advisor. She has authored the Campus Advisor column for THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine for over 13 years. Parker is the director of the Career Development Center at the University of Cincinnati and president of Black Career Women a national organization.

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