ID Magazine | Spring 2013

Life after coLLege

Behind the scenes

fashion

Byrd’s tenure

Meet siMpson’s new presidentQ&A Inside

suMMer

SPRING 2013

COLLEGE MUSICIANS

8 GREAT YEARSLEARN A FEW THINGS ABOUT

8WELCOME THE SEASON WITH STYLE

things you wishyou had Known aBout coLLege

a note from the editor

Leif Jeppson

Katie Buchholz Conner Juilfs

Steffi LeeBen RodgersJazmin RubelJames Tillison

Jake Barr

ID Magazine We are back! And just in time for the end of the semester.

For some of you, the end of the Spring term means dedicating half of your energy passing through the day without getting bored. The remaining half goes to passing May term.

For seniors, like me, the end of the Spring term means it’s time to leave. We finally enter the “real world,” a place we’ve been told is scary and will eat us alive. Fortunately, we are Simpson students, and we have been equipped with a liberal arts education. We interviewed a few Simpson graduates from last year, and they shared some of their experiences right after leaving Simpson (pg. 26). It turns out life after college is not too bad. It all depends on what you make of your college years.

At Simpson you will discover opportunities, challenges and unique experiences. But it’s up to you to decide how far you want to go, or if you even want to take on these challenges at all.

If you knew me from my freshman year, you would know I was the shiest of all. I never expected to be editor-in-chief for a student magazine, yet here I am for the second and final semester. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and I could not wish for a better experience. It’s been four years of hard work and long nights, but every minute has led to this.

“Work hard, play hard” is one of the messages we endorse in this spring issue of ID (pg. 6). That is the only way you will make it through college with a smile on your face and ready to take on the world. If your Simpson experience is like mine, by the time you become a senior, you will realize how much you have enjoyed this place and how much you will miss it.

For now, whether you’re going home, or sticking around for May term, take a copy of ID and read some of the delightful pieces written by your fellow Simpson peers. Enjoy.

Special ThanksDepartment of Communication & Media Studies

President Jay K. Simmons Simpson College SGA

Nuria CeronKelsey Hagelberg

Kara LovikLeah Otieno

Maurice’s

Writers

ID Magazine designers

Grace ChristensenSylvia KossMegan Quick

COPY EDITORSFACULTY ADVISOR Brian Steffen

alejandro caballero

A striving graphic design student minoring in marketing and coaching. Leif is in his third year at Simpson and he is a member of the Track and Cross Country teams.Editor-in-Chief

A graphic design student from Las Vegas, Nevada. Jake is a junior and plays on the baseball team at Simpson College. He expresses his creativity through his artwork and music.

1spring 2013

Table Of Contents

EIGHT YEARS: PRESIDENT BYRD

SUMMER LOOKS IN INDIANOLA

COLLEGE MUSICIANS

LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

leisure fix

26

Summer is coming soon and you want to be dressed

for the season. Maurice’s has the casual and professional looks you want.

Meet some talented musicians at Simpson

making a name of themselves.

14

22 Student

Loan Debt

Q&A WITH PRESIDENT JAY K. SIMMONS

16

QUICK AND FUN 2

LANDING THE INTERNSHIP 6LIFE LESSONSFROM TV & MOVIES 8

food for thoughtsimpson spotlight

24ADVICE FROM RECENT SIMPSON GRADS

8 THINGS I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT COLLEGE 4

2 ID MAGAZINE

[QUICK] FUN[ ]FOR ALLREADS

&RETROSUMMERPLAYLISTYou are a college student discovering music and you are also entering the summer time, which means you’ll have nothing to do most of the day. Here is a list of classic summer songs to get you in the mood for blasting your Beats all summer long.

Wipe Out The Surfaris (1962) A Summer Song Chad & Jeremy (1964)

School’s Out Alice Cooper (1972)

Under The Boardwalk The Drifters (1964)

In The Summertime Mungo Jerry (1970)

Summer Nights John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1978)

Surfin’ U.S.A. The Beach Boys (1963)

California Gurls Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg (2010)

Nelly Hot In Herre (2002)

Pretty much anything by Bob Marley.

Mayterm Wishlist1.

2.

Trip to the Moon“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” words said when Neil

Armstrong fist stepped onto the moon. Students will travel to the moon and discover what it really is like to be in outer space. Before the moon landing, students will meet and greet with astronauts, prepare for the no gravity experience, learn the science behind the rocket and the history behind space travel.

Travel the Seven Wonders of the Modern WorldThe Seven Wonders of the Modern World include: Channel Tunnel, CN Tower, Em-

pire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Itaipu Dam, Netherlands North Sea Protection Works and the Panama Canal. Throughout the three weeks, students will be traveling and keeping a documentary or journal to record their sightings. This course will cover the social needs and cultural history of each of these seven wonders.

3. Muggles No More!You are no longer a muggle, but a wizard during this three-week course. Discover

what it means to be a wizard and which path you want to go. Students will read some specific parts from the Harry Potter series to learn more about the magic world. In this course, students will analyze the media’s portrayal of Harry Potter and why this series is so popular. | “Anything about Harry Potter would be awesome.” – Jessalyn Holdcraft

URBAN DICTIONARY.COMJustin Bieber“A 15 year old who looks like and sounds like a 10 year old.”

Keanu Reeves“A selected person, a chosen one.”

One Direction“A UK boyband that makes girls all over the world sexually frustrated.”

Ke$ha“Taylor Swift + Vodka”

Celebrities According to

Lady Gaga“A very bad joke played on all of us by Tim Burton.”

Tom Cruise“Overrated douchebag. Practices scientology and poisons youth.”

Paris Hilton“In physiology, to have an unusually small gluteus maximus.”

50 cent“It’s just two quarters.”

Katy Perry“A female singer who kissed a girl and liked it.”

Donald Trumph“Living proof that money can’t buy good hair.”

3spring 2013

Poet’sEdge

The

A collection of Haikus inspired by common themes of college life. By Antonio Reyes

PROCRASTINATION

I’m having fun withAnimal crackers, becauseThey are food and toy.

FACEBOOK

Life would be nearly identical to what its now, just barely higher tech and overpriced.

Every inanimate object will come in either glossy white, cool black, or chrome. Of course, there is always the option to purchase a cover with a fun pattern or color — you wouldn’t want to scratch your $1000 toilet. Every morning you wake up to the iconic Apple tune and head to the shower, which is set to your desired temperature by Siri, who is now capable of pretending to have a stable relationship with you.

My advice, “when in doubtDance Party to Gangnam Style,Than do your homework.”

Homework preparation,Begins with liking,Facebook posts and photos.

You’re on the otherSide of the globe, I miss you,But, we have Facebook.

ROOMMATESMy neighbors suffer From diabetic seizuresOn Saturday nights.

Sharing rooms, closets,Cups, clothes, vacuums, oven andMovie night moments.

21st BIRTHDAYSpring-midnight, Clear-skiesWe twinkle in twenty-oneWe’re already drunk.

Facebook is a curse, a guilty pleasure. Whether you use it once per week or multiple times a day, it’s part of us and it’s here to stay.

Nothing so simple compares to the emotions Facebook gives us. That feeling when you see those red notifications on the top of your screen -- even though it’s just a game invitation or a party invite you don’t care about -- is priceless. The emotion when you receive a friend request makes you feel popular and happy inside. All of this is great, but Facebook has a deep dark side: It turns you into a stalker.

Knowing too much is a common issue for couples in all stages of a relationship. The start of any relationship comes with Facebook stalking, where problems begins. You start looking through your special someone’s photos and start asking yourself “Who is this guy or girl next to my dear?” (on a photo that was uploaded two years ago...)

And before you know it, you have created a whole background story and tied all the pieces together on how they met. Not only are you a stalker, now you are also Sherlock Holmes and you are really good at judging other people without even knowing them. Good job!

As the relationship grows, jealousy and suspicion grow too. Jealousy and suspicion are devastating enough by themselves, but thank god we have social media to make it all better -- because trying to put out a fire with gasoline always works. When you are in a struggling relationship, nothing disturbs your soul and makes you think more than quoted song lyrics and suggestive wall posts without any context; it’s tough to figure out if the posts relates to you.

At some point you reach a time when “it’s complicated.” It’s amazing how much impact a simple relationship status can have on someone. God forbid your special someone “unfriends” you because that is the ultimate sign of disaster. If you think about it, “unfriending,” and changing your relationship status to “It’s complicated” is just a way to tell people “I like drama, and I want you to know about it.”

Imagine how much less stressful relationships would be without Facebook. Facebook is a double edge-sword that needs to be considered carefully when it comes to relationships. Some people can handle a mature and cute relationship online, but some others need to give it a break.

Top News Most Recent

the social nightmare of relationships

IN A WORLD DESIGNED BY APPLE...

4 ID MAGAZINE

8 Things

AboutI Wish

College

I had known

DESIGN LEIF JEPPSON

STORY STEFFI LEE

Take a break to breathe, and remember that working hard means playing hard.When I first came to Simpson,

I was so afraid of failure to the

point where resting was not an

option. Simpson, however, has taught me that

I am human and I need to breathe. For me,

high school was all about being constantly

involved and never wanting a break. I brought

that mentality with me to college, but it is a

completely different environment. You will

burn yourself out if you work too hard without

any sleep or fun -- two of the most precious

things of your college life. Complete all of your

work, but make sure to go to college events;

treat yourself to a nice meal off campus; or take

a nap if you’re feeling tired. Keep a healthy,

balanced routine, and your work will get done.

Success doesn’t occur overnight, and you don’t need to be fantastic at everything.I am an ambitious student and

I came to Simpson wanting to

be great at everything. That

was a mistake on my part. No human being

is great at everything. It’s always easy to hear

about everyone else’s accomplishments and

want them for yourself, but know that you

are your own person. In my first semester,

I wanted to excel at all of my classes and

recognition. I was caught up with what others

were doing – whether it was an internship,

officer position, or simply a club. Don’t make

that mistake. Do what you’re passionate

about, and throw your heart into it. That is

what success is. It’s doing what you love and

pursuing it.

You don't have to find your true love in college.I was once completely aggravated with the idea of not having a relationship in

college. I got over it, and if you're frustrated, I know you will be able to get over

this too. If you want to date in college, go ahead. But understand that college is

fast paced and sometimes you might just want to discover yourself. Other people

might want to be independent. You have your entire life to meet your one true

love, so

don't worry if you don't

find him or her during

your college years.

Romance and

relationships don't

make or break

your college

experience.

1 2

3

5spring 2013

Don’t piss off your professors.I haven’t pissed off my professors, but this is just a general statement about

respecting your professors and following their rules. You want to keep a

respectable reputation among your professors because they’re the ones who will

be writing your letters of recommendation. They’re the ones who will be giving

you advice on what to do with your life and education. Show up to class, and

make sure you don’t miss meetings. When a professor says to do something,

make sure you do it. Don’t risk creating an uncomfortable relationship with them.

Make sure to talk – to people at home, to your peers, to your professors, and to guest speakers.Talk to people. Talk to people. Talk to people. I don’t care if you hate talking.

Make sure you get out of your comfort zone and talk. The whole purpose of

college is to build long-lasting relationships. It took me a while to learn that

I could talk to people here at Simpson College and back at home, but I’ve

learned. Remember to always be genuine. Be truthful. Also remember that

you’re spending four years (or however long you need to) at your college, so have fun and build

relationships with the people at your school. This includes professors and alumni. They are

your support system. Go into your professors’ office hours and converse with them. If you meet

alumni, connect with them. Conversations open doors.

Not everyone drinks in college – don't succumb to peer pressure.People drink, it's the culture

of college. It always has been.

Know that if you don't want to

drink, you don't have to. You

can still have plenty of fun without alcohol.

Check your school calendar to see if there are

any activities. Go spend a night downtown

with friends. Eat a fancy dinner. Stay in and

have a movie marathon. There are many other

options besides alcohol and parties. If you

decide to consume any alcohol, just remember

to be safe. Watch your back and surround

yourself with a safe environment.

It's okay coming into college not knowing how to do laundry (it's okay to ask for help).I know the headline mentions laundry, but this applies to everything. Never be

afraid to ask people for help. I didn't know much about Iowa when I first came

here, but with help and guidance

from others, I have been able

to fully adjust. Sometimes

you might not know what's due for

homework, where something is, or

who someone is. Sometimes you

might feel lost in life. That's

alright. People are there to help

you in college. Everyone is in

this journey together.

Just be yourself.There isn't much more to say.

Just embrace who you are, and

don't sacrifice your character

or integrity. It's always good

to remember who you are and

how you became this successful.

You're in college. Stay the hard worker that

you are, and remember to just cherish every

opportunity. You only have four years.

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5

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6 ID MAGAZINE

MOVIESand

LIFELESSONSFROMTV

By : Katie BuchholzDesign : Jake Barr

“You guys ready to get weird tonight or what?” ~ Adam Demamp

College. People refer to it as in, “The four best years of your life…” and “Hey, remember that one time…” or “I don’t remember last night…”. College is the time in one’s life when it’s socially acceptable to do a walk of shame, vomit in public, wear sweatpants to work (aka school) and discover who you are. But then… you get a real job. Student loans, man.

Blake, Adam and Ders are discovering the real world while being stuck in the ‘college mentality’. Three roommates, who work together and party together 24/7, teach us that the real world doesn’t have to be so serious

Whether it’s next May or four years from now, graduation will be a bittersweet moment. The real world is at your door. Yeah, your first job may suck, but your life doesn’t have to. Humor can be found in (almost) every situation. Workaholics brings forth the comedy in a boring, corporate job, and each character discovers ways to have fun in their post-grad life.

Stay weird, my fellow Simpson peers.

“Live Together, Die Alone.” ~ Jack

One of the most critical lines from the show LOST. We must remember that we need each other. Surviving a plane crash and being stranded on an island can put a lot of strain on someone. Jack reminds the survivors that they need each other. They need to work together, rather than be selfish and panic independently.

Groups are seen everywhere, from working together in sports, band, theater, and most commonly, group projects.

Oh no. Not those. The show teaches us that understanding

each other is crucial within a group. Group projects are hard to avoid in college and everyone seems to hate them. The biggest downfall to group projects is the lack of communication and involvement from each group member. When each member of the group cooperates and communicates, the group becomes successful.

For all you control freaks out there, you will have to work in group projects and you will like it -- at least until the project is over and you die alone.

“The world ended. Didn’t you get the memo?” ~ Amy

Realistic, heartfelt, suspenseful and pure awesomeness are a few words to describe AMC’s The Walking Dead. In a time of turmoil and chaos, the show provides insight on surviving a zombie attack and raises questions, like: What am I willing to do to protect my life? Could I shoot someone who attacks me or my family? Would I kill someone I know in order to protect myself? These questions are addressed throughout The Walking Dead.

The greatest lesson to learn from this show is that it is your decision; therefore you will have to live with the consequences and possible guilt. Struggling with decisions is a daily part of any college student’s life. Do I want Pfeiffer food today? Or do I save my meals for the upcoming Zombie apocalypse?

We must remember that no matter how big or how small the decision, there is always a consequence. In an exaggerated way, watching the Walking Dead forces the audience to thoroughly analyze the possible decisions you will face in the verge of survival mode.

Workaholics Lost The Walking Dead

Whether it’s action-packed, drama-filled or brings forth laughter, we all enjoy the emotions that TV and Movies can provide, and often leaving us with a message or two.

7spring 2013

The Bachelor is a breeding ground for drama -- that’s what makes it good.

The all American reality television dating game show features the best and worst out of people. Aside from the cat fighting and attention seekers, The Bachelor does offer a few lessons for us. Most of you already doubt the shows ability. In reality though, these real adults just want to find love. They want to have a family because they are ready. Or they at least think they are ready. One life lesson we can all learn from The Bachelor is to take risks.

Right now in college the word marriage and kids are not in our vocabulary, but we can take risks like the contestants on the show. Every bachelor or bachelorette dedicates their time, their job and their life. All for a risk to fall in love. As college kids, we have to take risks in relationships, career opportunities and risks to try something new. You may not get a rose for trying something risky, but at least you can say you did it.

“But the thing that makes Woody special is he’ll never give up on you…ever. He’ll be there for you, no matter what.” ~Andy

Toy Story 3’s final scene is a tearjerker. It teaches us that life is full of changes, time flies, we grow up and we must, at least physically, let go some of our dearest friends at some point in life. We must embrace change, but even so, the people you’ve met and the moments you’ve shared will never go away.

“Rose, you’re no picnic, all right? You’re a spoiled little brat, even, but under that, you’re the most amazingly, astounding, wonderful girl, woman that I’ve ever known…” ~ Jack

Jack was poor and Rose was rich. True love happens when the flaws of one or the other seem minimal when spending time together. Don’t force true love, just let it happen. Because young, true love is beautiful -- it lives even after the ship sinks and Jack dies.

“In dreams, we enter a world that’s entirely our own.”~Albus Dumbledore

In this world, you will be dared to dream. At times people may doubt or shatter your ambition, but expanding your mind and intellect to journeys unknown can sometimes surprise you, and unmask excellence you never knew existed.

“What are you prepared to do?” ~ Nick Fury

In life, we face obstacles and challenges on a day to day basis. It takes preparation, dedication, and faith to be the people we are set out to be. And remember, like the Avengers, there are always people that have your back.

“When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good, you will not, hmm?” ~ Yoda

Yoda might not look like much -- old, small, and green. Still he is the ultimate Jedi Master. So, don’t let your appearance, age, or social status bring down your confidence because it’s the strength of your mind that brings out the leader within. May the Force be with you.

Toy Story 3The Bachelor

Titanic The Avengers

star wars

Harry Potter

8 ID MAGAZINE

Clearly state your contactinformation at the top of your resume. Are you still using “[email protected]”? It’s time to get a Gmail account with your name or something more professional. You will

need it sooner or later, so get it now.

Proof reading is important!One tiny mistake can ruin allyour hard work. Have otherpeople read through the content of your paper and check for errors? You do not want a misspelling to stand in

the way of getting your dream job. Leaving the “L” out of “public relations” might cost you the interview.

Employers are looking for someone who can get their message across without too much “blablabla.” Be concise, but be specific. Use action-words like “established,” “organized,” or “completed.” For example:

At this point in the semester, Juniors and Seniors are all growing nervous

about their future. We are looking for jobs and connections that can help us after we graduate. Freshman and Sophomores, you are exploring the different ways to get involved and get experience to put on your resume.

Growing up in college is like a journey. Where it will take us no one knows for sure. We just know that at one point we will want to be successful and have a job that we enjoy doing. Today we hear so much about how the job market has tanked, and that is scary to hear as a college students, so we have to do the best we can to make ourselves desirable to win the internships and jobs we want. Now that summer is on its way, be productive and use your time to write a resume; if you have one already, start working on some more advanced techniques that will impress employers.

Every resume is different and everyone has their own preferences. However, there are some basic rules that apply to every successful resume.

Trust me, you are not thatexperienced or important to have your resume exceed one page. Coming straight out of college, your potential employer is not going to have time to flip through your resume. Cut it short and

grab their attention so you can get an interview, where you can brag about the information that would not fit on your resume.

WRO

NGRI

GHT

WRITING THE RESUME

1

2

3

4'Excellent organizational skills, implemented a digital filing system and transferred two years of company records to digital form.

'Excellent organizational skills.”

DESIGN LEIF JEPPSONSTORY JAZMIN RUBEL

A clean resume, an online presence, and good references are essential to getting the internship you want.

9spring 2013

Once you buy your URL, you need to place your head shot, best work, resume (in PDF format), photos, contact information and a biography on your website. Add your Twitter feed or your blog; this is where you show your

work and dedication to potential employers. Never underestimate the power of the first impression. Any sort of website speak for itself.

A strong social media presence helps you control what people find when employers Google you. Employers want to hire the next Mark Zuckerberg or the next J.K. Rowling, not the next Ke$ha or Snoop Dogg. Anything you put up on

Facebook and Twitter could, and will be used, against you. Always keep that mind.

ONLINE PRESENCESo you already have a resume, huh? Let’s move on to something a little more intermediate. In certain fields, a personal website displaying some of your work will impress any employer. Of course, an accounting major doesn’t need to get this fancy -- a calculator will do.

You might be too late, but you needto go out there and buy a URL.Everyone has a website these days, catch up with the trend. A YouTube channel, a blog, your Twitter account, a LinkedIn account; the more things with your name online, the more chances your

name will come up on the first page of Google searches. Buy your first name + last name.com if it is not already taken. This will help with search results and you will be one step ahead the competition. You can go through Godaddy, Google Sites or Word Press for about $20.

Opportunities are your best way to meet new people. Here at Simpson, they offer lots of events and opportunities to meet with alumni. Take those opportunities! Stop playing your x-box and walk to the Kent Center! This could be the

easiest connection you will ever make, and who knows? A job might come from it!

Use Social media. There are a lot of sites out there that can help you connect. LinkedIn is a great site used to connect in the work field. After personal recommendations, LinkedIn is one of the most cited sources by employers to find employees. With Facebook and Twitter you should be careful. You never know who can see your profiles or twitter feed. Keep it clean, and do not put stuff up that you would not want your grandma to see.

MAKING THE CONNECTIONTalking to professionals or even asking your professors for references can often be intimidating, but the people you know can often be your biggest asset. Expanding your contacts is the best way to work your way in the job market, no doubt about it.

Be genuine! Just be yourself and do not overwhelm the person. They have busy lives, just show your appreciation if you get the chance to talk to them. They do not owe you anything so do not act like it. They can tell when you are trying too hard and that makes you look

fake and desperate for a job.

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10 ID MAGAZINE

Simpson College seniors Jared Murphy

and Joel Schwichtenberg will start off

their summer with a music festival —

not as attendees, but performers.

Along with Chris Freier on guitar and

Matt Wilcox on drums, the guys will take

the Wakarusa stage as Mighty Shady, an

alternative rock band out of Des Moines.

With only a year in Central Iowa’s indie

Joel SCHWICHTENBERG Jared MURPHY Chris FREIERMatt WILCOX

THE COLLEGE MUSICIAN

BehindThe Scenes:

Simpson College has crafted an outstanding reputation for its

music program. But even outside the Department of Music, there are

some talented musicians singing, performing and making a name

for themselves around Simpson -- and elsewhere.

STORY BEN RODGERS & JAMES TILLISON

DESIGN LEIF JEPPSON

PHOTOS ALEJANDRO CABALLERO

11spring 2013

Mighty Shady

music scene, Mighty Shady has positioned

itself worthy of a spot at Wakarusa 2013,

a four-day music festival with over 20,000

attendees and prior host of big-name bands

like Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys.

Even though the idea of putting the band

together dates back to 2009, Mighty Shady

had it’s first official performance in February

2012. With original music, lyrics and a couple

of cover songs once in a while, Mighty Shady

had been gathering a group of fans across

some of Des Moines’ popular music venues --

including Wooly’s and Vaudeville Mews.

For these guys, making music is not just a

hobby anymore. The opportunity to pursue a

career in music is getting closer.

“We’ve had an insane amount of success

for being our first year,” said Murphy. “Every

other month it feels like we move up the

ladder, and it really helps having loyal fans

that support our shows.”

The band even has a few crazy-crowd

stories of its own. Most notably, the one with

the drunk girl.

“There was this one girl who ended up

getting a little drunk during one of our

shows,” said Freier. “She climbed up the stage,

knocked-down six microphones, tried to

dance with all of us, and tried to kiss me while

I was singing.”

That was the moment Mighty Shady

realized they were going to make it big.

You’ve probably listened to Mighty Shady

during one of their Simpson performances

at Jamnesty, the March Against the ISMS,

or the “Truth Be Told” concert earlier in the

semester. If you haven’t, grab a friend and

catch one of their live performances in Des

Moines because at the pace they are moving

you may have to buy an admission ticket next

time you hear about them.

“In five years, at the rate we are going, we want to be playing at major music festivals; maybe we won’t get to Coachella, but

we’ll be in a few posters for some national tours. ”

From left to right: Jared Murphy, Chris Freier, Matt Wilcox and Joel Schwichtenberg

12 ID MAGAZINE

Without a fancy recording studio or a sound engineer by his side, senior Billy Weathers lives up to the saying “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“Most people always ask me if I go to a studio to record, but I don’t,” said Weathers. “I do it in my dorm room. I just close the door and tell people to not be loud.”

The first song Weathers recorded was in his friend’s room in Kresge — using the closet as a sound booth.

With only three years into his career, Weathers has produced two mix tapes, done

several performances at Simpson College and landed a couple of gigs at Vaudville

Mews in Des Moines.“My biggest accomplishment was

going from sitting in my dorm room in Buxton, and writing on my laptop, to actually having a show in Des Moines,” said Weathers.

But even before things started looking up for Weathers, he was only a teenager in high school with a thing for poetry.

“I started writing poetry my freshman year of high school, but I kept it to myself because I was always conscious that someone wouldn’t

think I was good or something,” said Weathers.

Although Weathers grew up, he struggled to overcome his fear of letting

people judge his talent. Still, by his freshman year of college, he did not feel

confident enough to show people his work.“I didn’t start showing anyone until my

sophomore or junior year in college,” said Weathers. “I remember I showed a couple of friends what I was doing and they told me I should start recording and getting [my work] out.” Weathers followed his friends’ advice, and things could not be better.

Weathers hopes to keep up with his music and use it to help make a difference in people’s lives.

“Whether it’s two people or two million, it doesn’t really matter to me. I just hope that someone can listen to my music, relate it to their life, see the positivity and see the motivation I’m trying to get across.

B-W

ell

Billy WEATHERS

“A lot of my raps have emotions behind them, I try to make it that way at least, and it’s just based off of things I’ve experienced in my life, people I’ve encountered, things I’ve learned and

hopefully taught and reflected towards others”

13spring 2013

DJ Franchize

For Jose “Junior” Rodriguez there is no better feeling as a disc jockey (DJ) than when the crowd loves the music he is spinning.

“It feels good,” said Rodriguez. “[People] are doing that because of me. It’s like you bring fuel to the club, and I’m the fuel — I’m fueling up the club while they’re dancing.”

Before becoming a DJ, Rodriguez would attend clubs in Chicago looking for some fun. Unfortunately, for Rodriguez’s taste, many of the DJ’s music would be off.

“Going to clubs and hearing other DJs perform... some of them were just bad. I hated that I was always complaining,” said Rodriguez. After some complaints, his father offered a fairly simple solution.

“My dad said, ‘If you don’t like the DJs in the club, why don’t you DJ?’” said Rodriguez. “I said OK, I’ll become a DJ.”

Rodriguez picked up the trade his freshman year of high school, shadowing experienced DJs and doing small house parties at first. A year later, during his sophomore year, a friend got Rodriguez his first real gig with over 600 guests at Lights Out Ent., a Chicago club celebrating its grand opening.

Junior RODRIGUEZ

Fast-forward to 2013 and Rodriguez is now at the top of his game, putting his talent to good use at Simpson, Mojos Bar and Drake University — to mention a few gigs. Rodriguez has built quite a reputation for himself as someone who tries to bring the nightlife experience to Simpson; he has performed in shows like the “Ugly Sweater” and the “Truth Be Told” concerts and most recently, PRSSA’s Goodwill Fashion Show.

With hopes of becoming a math teacher after graduation, Rodriguez still wants to DJ.

“Obviously, it’s just a hobby, but I feel like I’ve gotten enough exposure in the area that I feel like if I stick around after graduation, people will still ask me to DJ, and I don’t mind doing it.”

“It’s like you bring fuel to the club, and I’m the fuel — I’m fueling up the club while they’re dancing”

14 ID MAGAZINE

Jess

e All

en St

ewar

t

Jesse is a senior at Simpson, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, manager and on-air talent for Simpson’s 88.9 KSTM, a multimedia journalism major with a music minor and a talented musician.

He has been playing guitar for ten years and singing even longer. He also plays the drums, a little bass and dabbles in piano and harmonica. For six years he has been writing his own music,

completing upwards of

30 to 40 songs in those six years.

The type of music he plays is his own type really.

He classifies it more towards the country/rock side, but it also has

elements of blues, pure country, pure rock, R&B and pop.

He performs all over, anything from bars to concert venues to colleges, backyard

parties, birthdays, and sorority and fraternity parties. He recently finished a tour with a band called Farm Rock, which traveled the Midwest. He got a call one day from Kendall Meyer, a former national recording artist, who Jesse has known for a while asking him to go out on a tour.

“We were touring around the Midwest pretty heavily for about a year and a half in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. I was actually lead guitar with them so I got a lot experience that way. Now I’m on tour doing the acoustic thing on my own,” said Jesse. If there is a group of people out there that want to hear him sing and play the guitar he will do his very best to put on a show for them.

Jesse has a busy show schedule in 2013 including opening for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, famous for their song “Fishing In The Dark”, on June 8th. For more information on shows you can visit his website at www.jesseallenstewartmusic.com

Jesse STEWART

“My dad was a musician his whole life, I was the kid who kind of caught the bug.

I just loved music my whole life.”

15spring 2013

Shanice Whitney

Junior Shanice Whitney is one of those singers who can move people with her voice. Whether she makes people cry, smile or dance, there is always a reaction.

In the 4th grade, Whitney entered her first talent show. She performed “Fallin” by Alicia Keys, and people around her became obsessed with her voice. By the 5th grade, Whitney had her first solo as Suzy Snowflake and sang “Jingle Bells” with a huge, corny snowflake on her head for a Christmas concert. From that point forward, Whitney has never stopped singing.

“Singing has always been a part of everything — school, church, and family,” Whitney said. “Ever since I sang for the first time, people have always pushed me to try for American Idol and all those things, but I feel like it’s very far-fetched.”

Even though friends and family praise Whitney’s voice, she doesn’t seem interested in becoming the next R&B star like her idols Alicia Keys and Beyonce. In fact, she doesn’t even like to call attention to her talent because she sings out of mere pleasure.

Whitney is a regular at basketball and football games, singing the national anthem. She collaborates with senior Billy Weathers to put together a few shows throughout the year, like the “Truth Be Told” concert and the “Back to School Bash” party back in January.

“I like to sing because I hope people listen to the message of the songs, and when I perform I try to channel my inner Beyonce because I love her energy and stage presence,” Whitney said.

With a year left at Simpson, Whitney will keep singing as long as people continue to ask her because there is nothing else she’d rather do.

Shanice WHITNEY

“I like to sing because I hope people listen to the message of the songs, and

when I perform I try to channel my inner Beyonce because I love her energy and

stage presence,”

16 ID MAGAZINE

BRIEF PERIODS OF EXTENDED SUNSHINE MEAN SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

In case you haven’t noticed, summers are

getting hotter every year – or at least they

appear to be.

According to the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration, the US had its

third warmest summer in 2012 with July as

the hottest month of the season. The second

warmest summer happened in 2011, while

the only summer warmer than the last two

occurred in 1936.

Whether you are planning on visiting the

warm, exotic beaches of Mexico or simply

going on a road trip across the US, you want

to stay cool and dress for the heat waves

coming your way.

So, why not welcome the summer with a

new outfit or two? If you are looking for some

summer fashion, Indianola’s got a store for

you – the fashion conscious college student

with a twenty-something attitude. Located

in 1214 N Jefferson Way, Maurices has

everything you need for your casual meetings,

job interviews, or breezy walks of the

summer. If you are not feeling like driving or

buying on-line, take a walk to the store and

create your own summer outfit.

By

photos By: Alejandro Caballero

summerlooksIndianola’s

18 ID MAGAZINE

On Leah: Black Lace Bootie $44 | Green Blazer $49 | Black Lace Skirt $32 | Blue & Green Stripped Tank $26

19spring 2013

On Nuria: Nude Heels $30 | Blue Blazer $50 | White Sequin Tank $24 | Black Huffle Skirt $29

20 ID MAGAZINE

On Kelsey: Blue Zip-up Jacket $34 | Shorts $29 | Gray Purse $34 | Silver Necklace $10 | Colored Stripe Top $24

22 ID MAGAZINE

meet the man behind the desk By: Kelsey Hagelberg & Alejandro CaballeroPhotos : Alejandro CaballeroDesign : Jake Barr

Jay K. Simmons will become Simpson’s 23rd president this summer. We decided to sit down and talk about his joys in life and expectations at Simpson before taking office.

23spring 2013

What is your favorite band or music genre? Jazz and Rock n’ Roll probably. I grew up on

Rock n’ Roll, and I enjoy some of the old guys in Jazz like John Coltrane and Miles Davis.

Do you play any musical instruments?Last time I picked up an instrument was in

my sophomore year in college, so I can’t say I play anymore.

Do you have a favorite book?That’s a tough question; I have a lot of

favorite books. In fiction, maybe one of my favorites could be The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I love Les Mis; I think that may be my single favorite novel. I am a great Charles Dickens fan too.

Do you watch a lot of movies?Not as many as I would like, but I do enjoy

watching movies. “Lincoln” was very powerful, but in terms of all-time movie favorites, I am a great fan of “Casablanca” and I have always enjoyed Stanley Kubrick’s films, particularly “Space Odyssey”.

What is your drink of choice?My biggest vice is that I drink far too much

coffee every day. For my 50th birthday, my sister, my wife and brother-in-law gave me this wonderful Belgium-manufactured coffee maker with a massive heating element, and it’s just like having French press coffee every day. It’s terrific!

What is your favorite pastime?

I guess it’s riding my motorcycle. If I have an opportunity to hop on the bike and just go for a few days that’s just perfect -- I’ve ridden coast to coast a couple of times.

What kind of bike do you have?A sports-touring bike Honda St1300 Do you have a bike collection?

(Laughing) No! I wish I had one, but Mrs. Simmons would not be too thrilled about that.

What is one of your talents? I like to think I have an ability to listen to

what people are trying to tell me when working through a problem, although there may be those who will disabuse me of that notion as well.

Any crazy, memorable college stories you want to share with students? Oh, gosh. Well, let’s see... (struggling to recall).

Is it time for a “Reader’s Discretion Advised” notice?(Laughing) [College] was a great experience.

I went to Birmingham-Southern College, a place very similar to Simpson. It was there where I joined the Theta Chi fraternity and met my wife.

How did you meet her?She invited me to a sorority party where

women were supposed to invite the guys. But, for some reason the party was canceled -- I didn’t know. I was a junior, and she was in her first year. One day I was walking into the dining hall and she saw me, so I started walking towards her and she just turned around and walked off. I though “This is odd. What have I done?” So, I caught up with her later in the day and said “What is going on? I thought we needed to talk about when to pick you up for the party?” She gathered the courage and told me “Well, it’s canceled and we don’t have a date anymore...” Then I got nervous. I said “Well, maybe we could do something else.”

We ended up going to a movie,but the film broke in the middle of the movie; so we just had a great talk sitting in our semi-lighted theater while we waited on the film to repair. And we’ve been together ever since.

What were you doing prior to your presidency?I was Vice President for Academic Affairs at

LaGrange College, another Methodist affiliated institution just outside Atlanta, for 11 years. Prior to that, for about 18 to 19 months, I was in Cleveland, Ohio, at Cuyahoga Community College, an institution with 24,000 students.

What is your favorite part of your job as college president?

I loved being a VP for Academic Affairs because I had a chance to work with the faculty and make sure they had what they needed to work with their students. But, my favorite part was being in the classroom; I taught a class at least once a year and I have missed that as a president. So, I’ve had to find other ways to work with students. I find joy in making sure faculty and staff are given the resources needed to help our students realize their potential while they are here because I know how important that was to me when I was in college.

What do you like most about Simpson so far?I may answer that question with two things,

actually. One of them is the sense of community and the appreciation that I have seen made manifest through students, faculty, staff and trustees. There is a regard and a commitment to this place you just don’t find everywhere. That is very appealing to me because it is the same kind of community, shared goals and purpose I experienced when I was in college.

The second aspect I find most appealing is the mission of Simpson College, an institution that is very much grounded in understanding the purpose of a liberal arts and sciences college -- not only a preparation for a career, but for living a fulfilling life in which we can become better citizens and serve a community. Simpson teaches students to go beyond earning a good salary and realize that we as human beings have an obligation to care for one another and help each other realize our goals as a community.

How do you plan to strengthen that sense of community at Simpson?

There are a few things I’d like to do. I’ll be at SGA meetings whenever invited. I’d like to be down in the dining hall, have lunch with students a few times every semester and listen to what is going on. I want to be visible, available and in the places where students are so we create those opportunities to talk.

presidentsimmonsjay

24 ID MAGAZINE

What is your favorite Simpson College memory?

There are a couple of days, but certainly one of my favorite days in my life at Simpson College was the opening of the Kent Campus Center. It was a wonderful celebration of the work of so many people to bring to completion such a wonderful addition to campus.

Also our 150th celebration, the day I was

able to announce the four million dollar gift that made that project possible. It was a great day for me. Both of those days will live in my memory for a very long time.

Do you remember your first day as president at Simpson?

I do remember my first day, but the second day was actually more memorable because I welcomed new students in the early summer orientation to campus. It was great to be welcoming the new students that I’d be sharing the next four years with. And again, one that I will remember forever.

8By: Ben Rodgers Photos: Alejandro Caballero Design: Jake Barr

Great Years

After announcing his resignation last April, President John Byrd will be retiring at the end of this academic year. Byrd led our campus through some meaningful changes during his eight years

of service at Simpson College; Byrd stated that the accomplishments the school achieved during his presidency were not only his accomplishments but a community effort.

“There’s very few things that I did, they were very much a community approach, a team approach to what we’re doing,” said Byrd. “Any accomplishments while I’ve been here have been because of lots of people.” Byrd stated he was very proud of the work the faculty has done in his time here, for instance creating the Engaged Citizen curriculum.

“This was a huge undertaking, and our faculty did a beautiful job rethinking our curriculum from top to bottom, but keeping a strong liberal arts emphasis, but really working hard to understand what the world is asking for from our graduates and making sure it’s delivered in our curriculum.

One of the biggest accomplishments may be marked by the building and opening of the long awaited Kent Campus Center, a project that took almost a decade to complete and now serves as the campus living room for current and upcoming students.

After eight years, has Simpson changed you in any way?

Absolutely, every president arrives thinking that part of their job is to shape the future of the institution, and what you find out is that the institution shapes you. And clearly all the values that have guided Simpson College for the last 153 years now have shaped me as well. In many other ways I am the same, but Simpson has had a profound impact on my life.

Any last words or advice for Simpson students?

My best advice for college students is to take advantage of everything available to them and stretch their college experience right to the limit. You will never have an opportunity again in your life that is quite so full of different things to try and experience.

Have you given any thought about what you want to after leaving Simpson?

I haven’t given a lot of thought to it because I am entering a whole new stage of my life and I am not exactly sure what it is going to be like. I think I will wait, experience it and let it evolve.

Ei ht

25spring 2013

“My best advice for college students is to take advantage of

everything available to them and stretch their college experience

right to the limit.”~ President Byrd

26 ID MAGAZINE

DESIGN LEIF JEPPSONSTORY STEFFI LEE

Recent and upcoming college graduates

face ongoing anxiety about employment

opportunities. The fear of finding nothing

else than a minimum wage job hunts our

thoughts all the way through graduation.

According to the Bureau of Labor

Statistics, the current unemployment rate

resides at 7.8 percent. National data for

the unemployment percentage for college

graduates under 25 show that the labor market

is still struggling. As of June 2012, college

graduates face an unemployment rate of 8.5

percent; however, some majors are more

employable in today’s market when compared

to others. This causes students to question

their studies, and makes them wonder if

attending college is even worth it. Luckily, the

statistics from the rest of the nation are not

representative of Simpson College. Simpson

has molded students into becoming successful

in Iowa and across the nation. The liberal arts

curriculum has pushed students beyond their

comfort zones. From a senior vice president at

the Principal Financial Group to a director of

college scouting for the Portland Trail Blazers,

alumni from Simpson ultimately secure careers

with rewarding experiences and challenges.

A report from CNN Money shows the

average college student now graduates with

around $27,000 in student loan debt.

Students need to neglect these reports, or

take it with a grain of salt. They need to forget

the articles about how Jane Doe is working two

minimum wage jobs to simply make ends meet

or to pay off her student loan debt. They need

to realize that resources for success and living

comfortably after graduation are available.

They’re all there. Debt and temporary

unemployment are never easy, but a financial

commitment to an institution like Simpson is

well worth it.

Recent Simpson graduate Katie Anthony

was always active in her duration at Simpson.

She served as the Editor-in-Chief for The

Simpsonian and held multiple internships.

Anthony was a Multimedia Journalism major

and an English minor who knew how to

combat the thought of a crisis looming after

you walk the stage.

“It’s a tough economy, but if you really

want that job and if you’re determined to get

NICOLE MULDER JAMES CHOUNRAMANYKATIE ANTHONY

Graduation: Spring 2012

Major(s): Biology

EMployMEnt: Lab assist. in the Microbiology and Immunobiology Department at Harvard Medical School


Major(s): Biology

Minor(s): Chemistry, Psychology, Ethics

EMployMEnt: Lab assistant at JMI Laboratories


Major(s): Multimedia Journalism

Minor(s): English

EMployMEnt: Former Employee at Meredith Corporation

JESSICA MALLOW


Major(s): Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance

Minor(s): Marketing

EMployMEnt: Executive Assistant to the CEO at Orchestra Iowa

BLAISE MIKELS


Major(s): Mathematics, Computer Science

Minor(s): Economics, Ethics

EMployMEnt: U.S. Government

ADVICE FROMLIFE AFTER COLLEGE

SIMPSON GRADUATES

27spring 2013

that job or get into

that particular school

– then fight for it,”

Anthony said. “Fight

until someone pays

attention to you and

you don’t give up

until they do. You’ll get there; it just may not

happen as soon as you want it to.

And that’s fine.”

During her time at Simpson, Anthony

interned at the The Village in Indianola, and

credits successful interviews to this experience.

“I was told at my interview that what

stood out on my resume was my internship

with The Village in Indianola – it was brief, it

was unpaid and it was hard work, but clearly

paid off in the end,” Anthony said.

James Chounramany is also an alumnus

of Simpson College. He graduated in the

Spring of 2012 with a major in Biology, and

minors in Chemistry, Psychology and Ethics.

Chounramany currently works as a lab

assistant at JMI Laboratories; however, he was

offered a position as a research assistant at the

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

early in February.

Chounramany struggled when searching

for a job, but was able to overcome due to

skills he obtained from Simpson.

“The most difficult thing that I came

across in searching for a job was getting invited

for an interview. With the economy being the

way it is, you are competing with more people

for a job. Sometimes it is difficult to make

your application stand out,” Chounramany

said. “Another difficulty I had was my lack

of previous real-world work experience in

the field of my choice. Many of the jobs I

applied to required past experience in the

field. Unfortunately, lack of experience may

preclude you from getting an interview.”

Chounramany strongly believes that

internships during a student’s undergraduate

studies are beneficial for the future, but also

credits Simpson for his current success.

“I overcame my experience by relating

skills I had practiced at Simpson and things

I had learned through coursework to the job

and conveyed it very well in an interview,”

Chounramany explained.

Anthony explains she was blessed enough

to graduate debt-free.

“I worked hard enough in high school

and applied for enough grants and scholarships

that I ended up graduating debt-free – with

help from my parents, of course. That being

said, I know many people who have a vast

financial commitment to Simpson,” Anthony

said. “I know that people will be paying their

loans back for years – and I know that they

regret nothing.”

For Anthony and Chaunramany,

attending a small,

liberal arts school

was not a burden,

but a pleasure.

Education was a

priority, and their

time at Simpson paid

off for the future.

Yes, the economy is poor, but the

economy is no excuse to graduate college with

no direction or idea of what to do.

Simpson has long instilled the value of

internships and outside experiences, and both

Anthony and Chaunramany have reinforced

this mentality. So, you who attend a private,

liberal arts college, ignore these Debbie

Downer articles; focus on yourself and take

advantage of every single resource at Simpson.

Network and get your voice heard. Professors

at Simpson understand how you feel and will

help you move forward -- they were in your

shoes at some point, trust them. You’ll be fine.

- katie Anthony

Fight until someone pays attention to you and you don’t give up until they do. You’ll get there; it just may not happen as soon as you want it to.

Student

Loan Debt

Liberal arts College

Employment

Q&ASTATS

In depth question and answer with simpson graduates...

Next

Stats you want to know before you graduate...

26

28

28 ID MAGAZINE

Q&AQ Were you able to find a job right

after graduation? How long did it take to get your first job?

WHAT IS YOUR opinion on the belief that attending an expensive, private, liberal arts school is a waste of time and money? Q

Did you do any internships while studying at Simpson? Q

Katie Anthony: I challenge you to find professors that care about you enough to still check in on you after you graduate to make sure you’re still

doing okay. Personally, I think you’re wasting money by going to a state school—and both of my siblings went to a state school. If you want to go

to college to learn, to be challenged and to grow as a person—a liberal arts education is the

place for you. The people who are teaching and working at a private college are there because

they believe in the system—believe me, they’re not getting paid enough. If you’re under the

impression that college is a time to party and blow off classes for four years, then maybe you

should consider a state school so that you can waste your time and money.

Blaise Mikels: I disagree with the statement that private, liberal arts schools are a waste of

money. My experience at Simpson College provided me with classroom and extracurricular

opportunities that would have been much more difficult to have at a larger college or university.

The various forms of educational institutions have advantages and disadvantages that students

should evaluate to determine if the higher costs of private colleges are worth it to them.

Katie Anthony: It took me 17 days, from walking across the stage at graduation to

accepting my first job. I had started applying for positions in November of 2011 and

had gone through a couple of rejections, a few interviews and was close to job offers

from other newspapers—but ultimately they all “decided to go a different direction.”

Rejection always feels like salt in an open wound, especially when you’re close to getting the job. If you think you’re just going to waltz in to a

business and get the job, you’re in for a harsh reality check—it’s not that easy.

Nicole Mulder: I was offered two positions shortly before I graduated; I started my current job two weeks after graduation. The whole process of

applying and interviewing took a few months to complete.

James Chounramany: I was able to find a job as a microbiology lab assistant about a month

after graduation.

James Chounramany: I would say that although private liberal arts colleges cost more than

public universities there is value in the extra costs. The value comes from how much easier it

is for your professors to get to know you. Which is important when a student goes to ask for a

professor to write a letter of recommendation or be a professional reference.

Jessica Mallow: I was able right away! I had been singing a cabaret show with the Orchestra

in Cedar Rapids, when the CEO of Orchestra Iowa approached me about an opening they had

on staff. I was hired as the Executive Assistant at Orchestra Iowa immediately after graduation.

Jessica Mallow: It is not a waste of time or money at all. Every college experience is different

for every person. Simpson College prepared me for life, for the real world, and made me ready

to take on absolutely anything. It taught me how to make my own opportunities, and investing

time and money in your own education is never a mistake. You will always take from it what

you put into it.

It is not the same for everybody. You cannot predict when life will throw you a curve ball, but to a certain degree you can prepare yourself and plan ahead while in college. Learn from experiences of recent Simpson grads.

Life After Graduation...

Nicole Mulder: During my junior year

at Simpson, I worked as a Developmental

Biology research assistant with Dr.

Brittingham. We were studying the effects

of Wnt signaling during the regeneration

of Nematostella vectensis, a starlet sea

anemone.During the summer between my

junior and senior year, I volunteered as a

global health fellow with Unite for Sight in

Tamale, Ghana. Working with a team of

students and physicians in Ghana, I helped to

provide reading glasses and cataract surgery to

thousands of patients who do not have access

to healthcare.

29spring 2013

How many job applications do you think you filled out while you were a Senior?

QIf any, what were some difficulties after graduation? How did you overcome those issues?

With your experience in the "real world," what is the best advice you can give for upcoming grads?

Q

Q

Blaise Mikels: Probably the most surprising difficulty I had after graduation was simply adjusting

to full-time employment. I miss the free time that I had during college, but it’s nice to be making

money now rather than spending it on tuition!

Katie Anthony: To begin with, the experience was really disheartening—or at least I thought. I

graduated in April and I was offered this position in May (due to personal reasons, though, I didn’t

start until end of June). I thought like a complete failure for not having a job when I graduated—I

graduated and moved back into the basement of my parents’ home—literally. That’s, of course, the

stereotypical nightmare for college graduates and I was living it. I worked really hard in college—I studied instead of partied most of the time—and I

felt cheated that I was graduating without a job. In hindsight, I may have been overreacting a little bit…or a lot.

Jessica Mallow: It’s great to have a plan in mind for yourself, but the best thing you can do is keep an open mind about the future, and know that

life truly is an open book. Embrace every instance to make your own opportunities, and follow through with new connections that you make.

Networking is so important!

Blaise Mikels: I don’t know that I have much advice for upcoming graduates. If I had to pick something though, I would tell them to shoot for the

stars. Identify your passion and search for employment opportunities that you would really enjoy, disregarding any doubts you might have of your

ability to obtain the positions. Apply to some of those positions, and then find other less ambitious positions to apply to for backups.

Blaise Mikels: While I was waiting to find out if I was going to be accepted for full-time

employment with the agency that I interned with, I applied to an insurance company in Des

Moines for a position as an actuary. As I knew I would be choosing between those two positions,

they were the only job applications I submitted as a senior. Most of my job applications

during my time at college were submitted during my sophomore year, when I applied to

three universities for mathematics research

positions, three insurance companies, and

three government agencies.

Nicole Mulder: I would estimate that I filled

out between ten and fifteen applications.

The majority of those were complete early to

middle of the semester before I graduated.

Katie Anthony: I would say that I applied to

around a dozen jobs near the end of the Spring

semester senior year.

Jessica Mallow: Actually, none. I filled out

several graduate school applications, however.

I applied to several different schools, was

accepted and had decided to pursue my Masters

in Voice Performance. I later declined graduate

school when the perfect job actually found me,

with the right connections.

James Chounramany: I would say that I

applied to around a dozen jobs near the end of

the Spring semester senior year.

James Chounramany: My two pieces of advice are to build strong relationships with people who you will use as a reference, either personal

or professional, and to utilize the knowledge of people around you. My personal references were contacted before I received a job offer, a strong

endorsement goes a long way. Also, I looked for advice in relation to my resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills. Career services and my

professors were helpful with this.

30 ID MAGAZINE

STATSThere is no doubt a Bachelor’s degree is worth it. Research shows that a graduate degree pays

off with greater employability and earnings. However, not all college degrees are created equal.

Some of us decide to pursue the sciences, while some others decide to take on the arts. And as

you probably know, the risk of unemployment is directly correlated

to a student’s major. The following graph illustrates

research from the Georgetown University

Center on Education and the

Workforce on unemployment

and earnings for recent

college students.$10,000

5%

10%

15%

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

Unemployment rate Median Salary

Agriculture and natural resourcesScience Life/Physical

Humanities and Liberal Arts

Communications, Journalism

Computers and MathamaticsEducation

Engineering

Law and Public PolicySocial Science

HealthArts

Business

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES & Earnings BY MAJORS

RESEARCH | CONNER JUILFS

“The education, Healthcare, Business and professional Services industries have been the most stable employers for recent college graduates.”

31spring 2013

28%

$500-$749

$22

x2

of single adults in iowa earn less than the $12.01 per hour required to meet basic needs.

cost of using hulu & netflix per month(get an hdmi cable and you can pretend you have cable)

estimate cost of renting an apartment in iowa

the average earnings of a bachelor’s degree-holder remains nearly twice as much as those of a

worker with only a high school diploma.

estimate monthly transportation expense for owning and operating a car in iowa

$567

NUMBERS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW...

11 1243 366

557980 0

SOURCES: United States Census Bureau, The Iowa Policy Project, The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, and Forbes.

SIMPSON STUDENT SURVEY

Top

10 M

ajor

s at

sim

pson

From a poll of 100 participants, we were able to gather some thoughts

regarding higher education. Although the following numbers reflect the

opinion of a small portion of Simpson’s student body, the numbers reveal a

positive attitude towards college over all.

YesNo

41%59%

Have you ever questioned the value of higher education?

Do you regret your financial investment to attend college?

What is your perception of the current job market?

Is college helping you grow intellectually?

Do you feel college is helping you grow and mature as a person?

Are you planning to further your education after college?

Are you confident that your major is taking you where you want to be after graduation?

How satisfied are you with your choice of major?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

It looks bad

Yes, absolutely

Not Satisfied

It seems OK

No

Somewhat satisfied

It looks very welcoming

Need more time to tell

Very Satisfied

11%89%

24%

52%

2%

71%

11%

31%

5%

37%

67%

5%

6%

43.9%

95%

94%

56.1%

ManagementElementary Ed

15Number of students with declared Major (both full-time and Part-time)

45 75 105 135 165 195

BiologyMathematicsPsychologyEnglishInt Mktg CommMarketing

HistoryCIS

Accounting

32 ID MAGAZINE

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ID Magazine | Spring 2013

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Transcript of ID Magazine | Spring 2013