But money isn't everything, and sometimes the attainment of material wealth comes with an unequal portion of entanglements and responsibilities. When money is our sole motivation for attending college we really narrow not only our experience but also our expectations. This often sets us up for disappointment when we don't immediately get that expected salary right after graduation. Often students with this attitude get frustrated when they don't see "real world" applications for what they are learning. They tend to think that the only thing that matters in the "real world" is dollars and cents.

The current mess in this country's financial sector is a direct result of college-educated criminals who have infiltrated corporations, regulatory bodies, and elected offices. But it isn't just Wall Street, as Utah (and Utah Valley in particular) leads the nation white-collar crime. Again, you get the feeling that these folks went to school for the sole purpose of making more money. When greed is our motivation it becomes our occupation.

There are other, shall we say nonmonetary, reasons to get an education, and while sometimes they aren't as easy to quantify, they do provide tangible improvements throughout our lifetime. There is plenty of research out there that shows that college graduates tend to contribute more positively to society. College grads tend to vote and volunteer more often. They also live longer and happier lives (and not just because they make more money and thus have better access to health care).

But what I hope you get out of your time in school is a healthy respect for the complexity of the modern world and its issues. Political parties, advertisers, and the media love to put things in simple, black-and-white terms. It makes for a handy narrative when you can paint your side as good and the other side as evil. Couching issues in such stark relief makes the masses so much easier to market to, and ultimately control. Do you want to be so predictable that any politician or product can count on your unblinking devotion?

I hope the time you spend in the classroom provides you with a more nuanced outlook. Your views should be challenged. Your understanding should be more complex. Your actions should reflect your values while recognizing a vast diversity of thought. College is more meaningful when it isn't all about money.

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First of all, last month’s graduation reminded me that I couldn't ask for a better work environment or a more rewarding job. Seriously, it was a great moment to shake your hands and give you hugs as you came off the podium with your "diplomas" in hand. Congrats!

Now comes the scary part: what do you do next? I have been there myself of course. It took three years of iffy part-time employment before I finally landed this job. Once the classes end you get anxious to start making that green. You want 40 hours a week, health benefits, and a 401k. It would also be nice to be using your newly acquired skills in an industry you enjoy. But you may have noticed that no one is knocking down your door and clamoring for your communication knowledge just yet.

Some of you have prepared for this eventuality and took the time during school to really investigate possible careers. A few of you even started building the network and the skill set that would make your dreams possible. Bravo.

But a sizable chunk of our graduates (and I would say all graduates) just barely squeaked through college. I have a sign in my office that says, “Feel free to do the absolute minimum. See how far that takes you.” If the absolute minimum was what you gave you might be feeling that the time you spent in college was a waste.

If you feel that way then I am sorry…perhaps we could have been more inspiring. We should have done a better job preparing you for the realities of a job market that is downright hostile right now. We should have done more to connect you with your industry. This department is relatively new and we have a lot of room for improvement. If you feel you didn’t get what you paid for I apologize.

But then I think about those students that really tried during their time here, even if they weren’t “Straight A” students. They got involved at the UVU Review or PRSSA. They sacrificed time and money to take an unpaid internship with a high-profile company. They volunteered to be part of the Bateman Case Study team or they held a position in the Wolverine PR Club. They took classes in Digital Media or Graphic Design, not for the credit, but because they knew they needed technical skills in order to compete in the modern workforce.

The students who did these things are better prepared for what is next. They have contacts in the industry. They have people who are looking out for them. They have professors that will write them beautiful letters of recommendation at a moment’s notice. The job market will be tough for them too, but I have a feeling that their next step will be a step up.

What is your next step?

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After absolutely dreading every day of K-12 I fell in love with college, and in particular I fell in love UVU. Now I will get a chance to help other students make their way through this maze, and I am really relishing the opportunity. As a vertern student I was always being asked for advice anyways, now I will get paid for it. Higher education can be a lot of fun, but it is also a series of hoops to jump through. In many ways a college diploma is a way of telling your future employer, "I was able to put up this amount of bullshit". I hope I can help some people along their way.

I will miss all my friends at the School of the Arts. We had a hell of a first year, and I think we really made our mark. Thanks for all the laughs.

Now I am trying to soak up all the training I can so I can be ready for the fall onslaught. I am also looking into starting an on-line masters program in academic advising offered through Kansas State in January.

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