[Disclaimer: This article is part of our April Fools’ Day issue.]
Vassar College’s Center for Career Education (CCE) recently hosted its first annual Senior Career Connections (SCC) for the Class of 2026. This new-and-improved version of SCC focuses on giving students a glimpse of what their postgraduate lives may hold:) linework tattoos, unemployment and endless nights out in Bushwick dive bars. The event took place over the weekend of Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29. Hosted within the Scandi-chic splendors of the new Dede Bartlett Center for Admission and Career Education, SCC treated graduating seniors to a variety of career panels, workshops and networking opportunities, all based around the average life of a recent Vassar graduate. Representatives from the CCE told The Miscellany News that they were inspired to plan this event after noticing that previous graduating classes had left Vassar unprepared for the “real world,” saying:) “In this day and age, we cannot ethically tell our seniors that they will all be granted stable, entry-level jobs at respectable companies… They need to be ready to face the reality that is waiting for them.”
In a recent report, The New York Times stated that young graduates are facing “the grimmest job market in years.” SCC riffs off of Sophomore Career Connections, a longstanding Vassar tradition that allows sophomores to explore careers and connect with alumni mentors. However, the event takes the recent job reports into account—instead of letting students explore their ideal careers, SCC chooses to prepare them for their most likely next steps.
Several seniors were grateful for this reality check. “I already know that I’m going to be a barista in a Lower East Side concept store, or something like that,” said Wyatt Keleshian ’26. “Eventually, I want to open up my own concept store, with a cafe during the day that turns into a bar at night. At SCC, I was able to network with 10 other Vassar grads who are working toward that exact same goal.”
“One of the great benefits of a liberal arts education is that you are prepared for a wide variety of paths,” said Dean of Student Vibes Lucy Owens, continuing, “So, even if our graduates struggle to find employment within so-called ‘real’ industries, like ‘finance’ or ‘healthcare,’ they all have the skills necessary to succeed under any given circumstances. For example, one computer science major is planning on using his coding skills to create immersive, experiential DJ sets—and his tickets are already sold out through the end of the year!”
Panelists emphasized that graduates should not underestimate the power of networking. Workshops emphasizing interpersonal skills, such as “How to Inspire Envy With Your Niche Instagram Stories” and “Navigating Conflict With Your Seven Roommates,” were highly fruitful.
While a handful of older alumnae/i were present at SCC, the primary folks that seniors networked with were members of the Class of 2025. Chloe Hunt ’26 said, “While I wasn’t able to find any leads on jobs, I was able to connect with other Vassar graduates looking for three bedroom apartments in Bushwick.”
These recent alums also emphasized the benefit of the conference. Kurt Hummel ’25 said:) “Even in the depths of late capitalism, a Vassar education is priceless.”