Graduates hopeful, fearful for what lies ahead

For Jubril Onaneye, Saturday's Winter Commencement ceremony signified the end of a long journey, one that took him halfway across the world.

Several years ago, Onaneye and his parents immigrated to the United States from Nigeria. After attending Newark High School, Onaneye enrolled at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, but transferred to Delaware his sophomore year.

He and his family were recently naturalized as U.S. citizens.  Earning his undergraduate degree in biology means a lot, he said.

"I think it's best encapsulated by the three famous words we say at UD – actually they say it everywhere else too: ‘Just do it,' " Onanaye said. "I think that's probably the most important lesson, to just go out there and experience things and not be too reserved."

Onaneye was one of 400 students who received their diplomas on Saturday. Another 850 also earned degrees, but since Winter Commencement is optional, were not present at the ceremony.

The more than 4,000 friends and family members attending the event felt the excitement, too.

"It's amazing, absolutely amazing," said Carol McGill, of Voorhees, NJ, while watching her daughter Christine graduate. "Makes me feel old, but it's a whole new beginning."

But despite the jubilant atmosphere at the Bob Carpenter Center, the commencement means that the harsh economy and scarce job market is right around the corner for the graduates.

Onanaye said he is "cautiously optimistic" about the economy, but others weren't so optimistic.

"I've been looking for a job for the past month," said Lynn Van Nostrand, a criminal justice major from Babylon, NY. "I can't really find anything, which is kind of frustrating."

Other graduates and their families echoed Van Nostrand's concerns about life after graduation.

"Our other son graduated with a finance degree, and he's still unemployed. It's two years he's been looking for a job," said Tom Matchette, of Allentown, Pa., whose son, Kevin, graduated Saturday, also with a finance degree. "The job market is definitely a concern."

Some worried that their major would hurt them in finding a job.

"My majors don't really have a direction to go into as far as job-wise," said Kelly Murray, a history and English major from Hockessin, Del. "I know I'm going to have to take more schooling, but right now I'm just trying to see what I can get and start somewhere."

Wageher Sangari, an international relations major from Middletown, Del., said many people have told her that because of her major, she needs to go to graduate school.

"I feel like I might not find a job until I go to grad school, but I'll look, see what happens," Sangari said.

Still, the commencement ceremony offered a moment of reflection for the graduates.
Sangari, from Ghana, wore a sash with the national colors of Ghana and spoke of her time at Delaware.

"This is the best experience of my life, but I am looking forward to even greater ones," Sangari said.

Joe Gallo, a criminal justice major from Wilmington, summed up his Delaware experience in three words. 

"A nice adventure."