Graduation should be full of hopes and aspirations, but for many of us, the rugged and sometimes perilous landscape of the twenty-first century job market make graduation caps and gowns look a lot like uniforms of mourning.

The Queen’s administration has recently made efforts in some areas to keep the school name relevant outside of the classroom, like the recent Principal’s Commission on the Future of Public Policy. The commission helps keep Queen’s prominent in the public policy industry, affecting the hiring of recent graduates.

These efforts are direly needed, but the worry that many students feel upon graduating is proof they’re not enough.

To adequately prepare students from all faculties for the new challenges that the ‘real world’ will present them, universities need to introduce resources that will aid with transitioning between environments.

While some degree programs like Commerce are able to reap the benefits of meeting industry professionals during sponsored events, not all faculties possess the time or resources to set up these opportunities.

Adapting to the increasingly difficult job market for university graduates would be made easier by more formal employment opportunities being set up through the university.

Queen’s has always gone to great lengths to accommodate, support and welcome new students to the university environment each year, they can afford the same for those leaving.  

There is no existing post-degree road map for college graduates of any faculty, even those who’re given more opportunities before leaving campus.

For some, the idea of moving away from Kingston to try and find a job in a field — which may have changed drastically since they entered school — can be daunting to say the least.

This doesn’t have to be the case. Whether in a classroom as an elective or through the help of a specialized ‘transition officer’, Queen’s has the ability to do more for their graduates. As the University has shown through its recent addition of another vice principal position to their administrative team, they have the capacity for more helping hands in the education process.

If Queen’s is serious about having their name in the world beyond campus, helping the newest class of Queen’s alumni have a name of their own in the world is the best way to do it.

Blake is The Journal’s Assistant News Editor. He is a fourth year Global Development Studies student.