Andy Zidron
Andy knows exactly what he wants to do after Denison: teach high school science and coach soccer. “I knew that I didn’t want to give up the things that I love,” says the former soccer team captain with a smile. So, after graduating from Denison last May with a B.S. in biology, he returned this fall to complete his teaching credentials.
That’s right. Andy graduated in 2004. But because he didn’t begin taking education classes until junior year, he needed additional time to complete his coursework and student teaching. He had originally planned to go to medical school. He even took the MCATs, but by then had already begun feeling increasingly apprehensive about his future. After taking an education course, however, he was quickly sold on the idea of teaching.
“I like being around the kids the best, and I think that this will be a perfect fit.” Come summer, he’ll be looking in the areas of Newark and hometown Cincinnati for teaching and coaching positions.
Andy is confident he’s made the right choice, and he credits his parents for being the role models who have inspired him to look beyond merely getting a job to make money. His mom teaches pre-school, and his dad left a thriving business career seven years ago to pursue what he really loves – you guessed it – teaching and coaching high school soccer.
Julie Grawemeyer
A Fulbright Award would complete Julie’s dream for next year. If she wins one of the prestigious grants, the double major in French and Education will be off to Europe to teach English at a Belgian university. “An experience in Belgium would be a huge French-speaking canvas for me to speak, write, laugh, get mad, and exclaim things in French,” says Julie.
She understands, however, that Fulbright Awards are highly selective. So she’s also applied to the University of Wisconsin at Madison, which offers a professional French master’s degree, as well as several other graduate schools. Right now she’s uncertain as to where her degree might take her, and hopes that graduate school will help her define her focus. “Job opportunities for French speakers are out there,” says Julie, “but you really need to know where to look.” Canadian film companies and international publishing companies are two options, and Julie hopes that graduate school will help her establish some useful contacts.
French has been part of Julie’s life for so long now, that she describes speaking French as being the flip side of her identity coin. “So there is the English/ American side to my coin, and the French-speaking one,” she says. “The thrill for me is flipping the coin in the air, and seeing who I end up speaking to depending on how it lands.”
Oliver Rollinson
Oliver wants to be president of the United States. Of course, that’s not on his agenda for this coming summer, but it’s something he thinks about, and it’s something he is planning for. He’d love to work for the Ohio Republican Party, and when he heads back to Cincinnati after receiving his B.A. in history, he’ll be calling on his many influential contacts to help open some political doors. He’s already met Ohio Senators George Voinovich and Michael Dewine, as well as Rep. Deborah Pryce. He even attended the presidential inauguration, thanks to his mentor and friend, Chairman of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission Aaron Wheeler.
As for being an aspiring politician, Oliver hopes that he will not fall into the abyss of petty politics. “I hope that as a conservative voice, I will not disagree with a liberal voice just because it is liberal, but rather because of the principle it stands for,” says Oliver.
Eventually, Oliver sees law school in his future. However, he’s deferred that goal for now. With his mom and dad near retirement, he firmly believes that it’s time for him to get a job and pull his own weight. So, for the present, he’s looking forward to being near his family, getting his own apartment, and working on his political ambitions. He plans to “work, not waste the next few years, and gain experience,” he says. An opportunity will present itself, says Oliver, and he will be ready for the new challenge.
Jessica Kresevic
A political science major, Jessica knew that she wanted to make a difference. So she committed the next two years of her life to Teach for America.
Although she’s never taken an education course, the Aurora, Ohio, native will teach elementary school in a low-income neighborhood of Charlotte, N.C. She’s understandably nervous, and readily admits that she doesn’t know enough to even anticipate the problems she may face. Yet, intertwined with her anxiety is a quiet confidence, as well as an almost impatient fervor to begin her work. “I’m excited and have this sense of immediacy,” she says. “It’s hard to keep my mind on the present. I want to start teaching right now.”
Jessica was drawn to Teach for America because she wanted to do something worthwhile after graduation. “I felt that I would be able to use my outstanding education to empower others to achieve great things as well,” she says.
In June, Jessica will head to Charlotte to visit her new school and meet with other Teach for America staff. She’ll then be off to Houston for an intensive, five-week training course to prepare for the particular challenges of working with underprivileged kids.
“I know that I have made a great decision for next year,” says Jessica. I feel confident in my abilities to teach, and I also feel lucky to have been able to find a position through which I can effect greater social change.”
Jackie Zimmer
Possibilities abound for Jackie. Her current internship at Abercrombie & Fitch could parlay into a merchandising position. Circles, a Boston-based event-planning company, has expressed interest in her talents. She’s been offered a summertime public relations internship at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. And, of course, she wants to continue growing her own business, Jackie Valentine. The line of hand-made vintage clutch purses, bows and belts she created last year can be purchased at several trendy Chicago boutiques, as well as seen on her Web site, www.jackievalentine.com.
Jackie would love to devote herself completely to her own business, but for the immediate future she’s more interested in a full-time job with benefits. So, the religion major from Hinsdale, Ill., is exploring her options, and weighing the potential of each experience. Working at Abercrombie is “like being at Disney World for me,” laughs Jackie. “I love it there.” She feels each company has something different to offer, and something valuable to teach. She’s open to moving anywhere, as long as she can be creative and have new opportunities.
Jackie’s not really stressed out about what will happen next. “I worked hard all of last semester to get where I am, and my hard work has paid off,” she says. “I’m ready for the next step.”
Andrew Freeman
“Lost, but not worried,” is how Andrew characterizes his attitude. Last November, after much thought, and with his parents’ blessing, Andrew decided that he needed a year off before heading to medical school. So, after withdrawing his med school applications, the Ashland, Ohio, psychology major found himself with only a few short months left to plan his exit strategy from Denison.
First, he’s still interested in medicine, and has been investigating research assistantships at pediatric hospitals. He’s done his homework, it seems. Large pediatric centers are where hands-on research is being conducted, says Andrew, and it’s also where there are usually enough dollars to pay for assistantships. Second, he would like to turn his dream to live abroad into reality. He’s thought about volunteering for Doctors without Borders, and, on a somewhat different track, will take the Foreign Service Officer’s Exam this spring. A promising showing on the exam could make him eligible for U.S. State Department or even CIA jobs.
As for how he’s feeling right now, Andrew says he’s grateful–he’s so busy just trying to finish up his final semester at Denison, that there’s no time to worry about what will happen next.