Skip to content
SIClogobluehighres-white
  • Falcon Portal
  • Technical Support
  • Give to SIC
  • Request Information
  • Apply Now
  • About SIC
    • ABOUT SIC

      • About SIC
      • Mission Statement
      • Academic Calendar
      • SIC Viewbook
      • Directory
      • Administration
      • Institutional Effectiveness
      • President’s Welcome
      • Connect With SIC
    • BOARD OF TRUSTEES

      • Board of Trustees
      • Board Election Information
      • Board Minutes Archive
      • Board Policies
      • Contact the Board Chair
      • Public Notice
    • FACTS & HISTORY

      • Accountability
      • Facts and History
      • Financial Information
      • History
      • Legends and Lore
      • Southeastern Fast Facts
    • Maps & Directions

      • Maps & Directions
      • Extension Sites
      • Parking
      • District Map
  • Admissions
    • Admissions

      • Admissions
      • Transfer and Other Credit
      • Student ID Card
      • Parents Information
      • FERPA
      • Placement Testing
      • Recruiter Request
      • Future Students
      • High School Students
      • Why SIC?
  • Academics
    • Academics

      • Academic Calendar
      • Programs by Department
      • Program Curriculum Guides
      • Transfer Curriculum
      • Cooperative Agreements
      • University Partners
      • Adult Basic Education (GED)
      • Community Education
      • Library
      • Online Learning
      • Online Student Complaint Procedures
      • Faculty Handbook
      • Final Exam Schedule
    • Programs by Department

      • Applied Technology
      • Career and Technical Education
      • Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts
      • Math, Science, & Technology
      • Nursing and Allied Health
      • Workforce and Community Education
      • View All Programs by Department
      • Online Courses and Programs
  • Financial Aid
        • Financial Aid

          • Financial Aid
          • Cost of Attendance
          • Tuition & Payment
          • Student Loans
          • Student Worker Job Postings
        • Scholarships & Grants

          • Scholarships and Grants
          • Grants
          • SIC Scholarships
          • Fresh Start Scholarship
          • Foundation Scholarships
          • Outside Scholarships
        • Veteran Services

          • Veteran Services
          • Veteran Admissions
          • Federal Veteran Benefits
          • Illinois Veterans Benefits
          • Scholarships & Financial Aid
          • Resources
          • Tuition Assistance
        • Resources

          • Forms
          • Policies
          • Net Price Calculator
          • FAQ
          • Myths About Financial Aid
          • Don’t Get Scammed
  • Student Services
    • Student Services

      • Student Services
      • Academic Advising
      • Bookstore
      • Career Services
      • Disability Services
        • ADA Compliance
      • Fitness Center
      • Food Services
      • Illinois Worknet Center
      • Mental Health Wellness
      • Public Transportation
      • Records and Transcripts
      • Graduation
      • Recruiter Request
      • Voter Registration
      • Technology Services
      • Title III
      • Upward Bound
    • Student Success Center

      • Student Success Center
      • Perkins Services
      • Testing
      • Tutoring
    • TRiO Student Support Services

      • TRIO Student Support Services
      • What Is TRIO?
      • Program Eligibility
      • Program Services
      • Staff
      • Trio Events and Calendar
      • Student Resources
      • TRIO Director’s Page
    • Technology Services

      • Technology Services
      • Student Account Setup
      • Student Name Changes
      • Email Sync
      • Technology Policies
      • Office 365
      • O365 Account Transfer
      • Online Learning
      • Open Access Labs
      • Wireless Access
  • Campus Life
    • Athletics

      • Baseball
      • Men’s Basketball
      • Bowling Team
      • Golf
      • Women’s Softball
      • Volleyball
      • Official SIC Athletics Site
    • Competitive Teams

      • Falcon Archers
      • Clay Breakers
      • Falcons Faction of Gamers
      • Forensic Falcons
      • Model Illinois Government (MIG)
      • Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society)
    • Activities, Clubs & Organizations

      • B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ)
      • Circle K (Kiwanis) Club
      • SIC Community Chorus
      • SIC Concert Band
      • SIC Concert Choir
      • Computer Organization
      • StrategIC
      • Diesel Technology Club
      • Math and Science Club
      • Nursing Club
      • Outfitter Wildlife Management Organization
      • Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society)
      • Student Government
      • Theta Sigma Phi
      • Welding Organization
  • Community & Alumni
    • Community & Alumni

      • Community & Alumni
      • Alumni & Friends Association
      • Distinguished Alumni
      • Child Care at SIC
      • Community Education
      • Cosmetology Services
      • Children’s Activities
      • Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art
      • Outdoor Life at SIC
      • Small Business Development Center
      • Visual and Performance Art
    • SIC Foundation

      • SIC Foundation
      • Giving Levels
      • Giving Opportunities
      • Foundation Board
      • Donor Bill of Rights
      • SIC Foundation Strategic Plan
      • Privacy Policy
      • FAQ
      • Alumni & Friends Association
      • Distinguished Alumni
      • Contact Us
      • Community & Alumni
    • Give to SIC

      • Give to SIC
      • Giving Opportunities
        • A Gift of Life Insurance
        • A Bequest
        • Charitable Gift Annuity
        • Charitable Remainder Trust
        • Establish an Endowment
        • Estate & Planned Giving
        • Gift Acceptance Policy
        • Gift in Kind
        • Matching Gift
        • Memorial & Tribute Gift
        • Real Estate
        • Retirement Assets
      • FAQ
      • Give Now – Online Donation
      • Community & Alumni
  • Falcon Portal
  • Give to SIC
  • Technical Support
Apply Now
Request Info

SITE SEARCH

SIC>News>GRADUATION DAY IS HERE! NOW WHAT?

All News

Alumni
Archery
Athletics
Basketball
Bowling Team
Clubs & Competitive Teams
Community Education
Esports - Falcons FoG
Events
Forensic Falcons
General
Hise Museum
Honors and Awards
MIG
MJOC-Child Study Center
Programs
SIC Foundation
Softball
Visual & Performing Arts
WISBDC

GRADUATION DAY IS HERE! NOW WHAT?

May 15, 2017
Dr. Karen Weiss

A column by Karen Weiss, Ed.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs at Southeastern Illinois College

Spring is in the air, and graduation season is upon us.  It is a time of anticipation, joy, relief, and for some… uncertainty.

All graduates at all educational levels face the same challenge – what’s next?  With the exception of a select group of graduates who already have their plans mapped out, for the majority of graduates their future plans are unknown.  This is especially true for high school graduates.

It is unreasonable to assume that all high school seniors know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their lives.  Some may know that they want to go on to college, and others may want to jump directly into the workforce.  Regardless of the decision made at this level, the truth is that this is a time of discovery for many young people.  And one of the best ways to learn more about oneself and about what opportunities are out there is to attend the local community college.

One of the attractions of a community college is the diversity of the programs offered – either career-oriented or baccalaureate transfer.  Students can learn a trade, such as welding, or a valued skill set, such as nursing, while others may choose to take a more traditional route.  College-bound students can complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at a lower cost and closer to home at their local community college.

Not only do students tend to receive more personal attention in a community college setting, they also have more opportunities to become involved with activities and/or groups which interest them the most.  In high school, students may not have had the chance to be a part of something that fits their specific interests, but in college they can join with others who have similar interests and backgrounds to become a part of a competitive team in such areas as speech, business, government, or archery, or even to be cast in a musical production or join the choir.  College can open the door to untapped talent and student achievement.

In many ways, community colleges are the proving grounds for students to test the waters of adulthood.  Students come in young and afraid but eager to learn, and leave more mature, confident, and prepared for that next step.

###

 

Posts navigation

PREVIOUS
NEXT

START YOUR COLLEGE JOURNEY AT SIC

Apply Now
SIC Campus

Tour Southeastern Illinois College

Check out our virtual tour of campus to get an inside look at all that Southeastern Illinois College has to offer. Want to see it all in person? Contact us today to visit our campus.

Visit SIC
SIClogobluehighres-white
  • 3575 College Rd.
    Harrisburg, IL  62946

  • info@sic.edu

  • 618.252.5400 / 866.338.2742

  • Maps & Directions

  • Accountability
  • Catalog
  • Consumer Information
  • Emergency/Security
  • Mission Statement
  • Library Resources
  • Accreditation
  • Academic Calendar
  • Course Schedule
  • Bookstore
  • Employment
  • Directory
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Supporting Our Veterans

Succeed. Inspire. Connect.

Apply Now
Request Information
May 26, 2025 | 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Memorial Day - College Closed
May 28, 2025 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bob Ross Painting Class
Jun 2, 2025 | 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
8-week Summer Session Begins
View All Events

© 2025 Southeastern Illinois College  |  Privacy Statement  |  Accreditation

Southeastern Illinois College