Helping Students Transition In & Out of University with Capstone Experiences
1. Helping Students Create Their Story: Aiding In the Transition In & Out
of University
Erica Armstrong, Programming & Engagement Coordinator
Saint Mary’s University
Providing
Capstone Experiences
2. • A meaningful chapter is
ending
• Student can be
comfortable with status
quo
• Narrow minded view, often
only thought about jobs
that they have encountered
• May have begun the
“Developing Competence”
vector
• Constructive feedback
• Public speaking
High School
3. First Year
• Getting ingrained in the
culture quickly is key to
priming students for
capstone experience
• Introduction to
programming by jumping in
& getting feet wet
• Encouraged by both staff &
faculty
• “Developing Competence”
- interpersonal competence
should be in full swing
• Social interaction
• Communication skills
• “Managing Emotions”
• Encourage community
service or volunteer
work
• “Autonomy toward
Interdependence”
4. The Capstone
Experience
• Thoughtful decision
making about taking on
more responsibility &
stretching the
expectations for oneself
• Personal decision or
recommended options by
a close person
• Vector 4 & 5 “Developing
Mature Interpersonal
Relationships” &
“Establishing Identity”
• Diverse groups
• Provide variety of role
models to observe
• Allow self selection of
activities
5. Reflecting &
Tying Elements
Together
• Important for student to
reflect on capstone
experience
• How does capstone
experience & academics, etc.
tie together?
• Does this provide
opportunities or a roadmap
for the future?
• Vector 6 “Developing
Purpose”
• Enable discussion of life
choices
• Help student determine
priorities
• Vector 7 “Developing
6. • Student have got to learn
the importance of putting
their story into words and
paper
• They should know their
story as elevator pitch
• CCR
• Record as they go
(LinkedIn)
Selling the Story
Questions
• What “feet wet” opportunities
does my institution offer?
• What “capstone” opportunities
does my institution offer?
• Who knows about these
opportunities & how are they
advertised?
• Is reflection built into the
program?
• Is career services built into the
program?
Editor's Notes
Students going to get academic education – not realizing they it will end up becoming more about the over all experience could be very influential
Faculty need to be engaged and supportive of programming outside of the classroom
Student services professional should be finding way to involve faculty in programming outside of the classroom and encourage participation so the student has a more holistic learning experience
It’s great to have a capstone experience and its amazing when it truly does shape the direction of your life but if a student can’t properly express themselves on paper or in person they might miss out
Elevator pitch – relatives asking the same question over and over – have the answer down to a science
