The Compass Center for Career and Calling and its six Franken Fellows have sponsored a running event series called “Adulting 101” to help students at Northwestern prepare themselves for life post-graduation. So far, the center has hosted two events of its six-part series, and both were resoundingly successful.
According to Elizabeth Pitts, the director of the CCCC, the Adulting 101 series was born after several colleagues approached her about assisting students with answering post-college questions or hosting an event. After a while, the faculty of the department decided to give the idea a shot and to have their six Franken Fellows help them plan a series on the matter. The center scheduled six events, with each fellow taking the lead on one.
On Feb. 5, senior Micah Rens hosted the first event with his mother Diane Rens, a professional cook, who taught students how to plan meals on a dime.
“Meal Planning on a Dime” was hugely successful, with over 30 students interested. Mrs. Rens, who has 14 years of professional cooking experience, helped students prepare three budget-friendly meals from one rotisserie chicken.
On Feb. 18, the second event of the series was held by Emily Bosch, and it focused on teaching students about budgeting with the help of accounting professor Ray Gibler and Ron Juffer.
The event on budgeting had 30 students attend, as well. The first speaker was Juffer, a retired NW professor and coach who is the namesake for NW’s Juffer fieldhouse. At the event, Juffer encouraged students to not only give their money and resources to the church and others in need, but to also follow through in relationship with those they serve financially.
“I think budgeting and stewarding needs to be caring,” Juffer said.
Next, Gibler spoke to students about the importance of Godly stewardship, encouraging students to be stewards of the Four T’s: time, temple, talents and treasure.
“The whole point of budgeting is to honor God with the resources that He has given us,” Gibler said.
Bosch ended the night by giving students advice on how to tackle their college debt once they graduate, and students left with ten dollars they were gifted with the promise they would use the money to practice financial stewardship.
“Budgeting is something that is so applicable to everyone’s lives,” Bosch said. “What is more important is the purpose behind budgeting and being a good steward.”
After such great success with the Adulting 101 series so far, the Compass Center is considering the idea of hosting a series on post-college life regularly.
“We’ve already brainstormed a handful of different ‘Adulting 101’ topics we’d like to tackle in the future,” Pitts said.
The third event will focus on health and fitness, hosted by Taylor McCarthy, a local fitness instructor, and women’s tennis coach Jamie De Jong. Jarica Vander Werff will host the fourth installment called “Home Sweet Home” with Aaron Beadner and a panel of young alumni. Next, “Navigating Job Benefits” will be hosted by Andrew De Noble in collaboration with the Business Club and local professionals. Finally, Elissa O’Dell will host a dining etiquette event with the Business Club and Professor Erica Vonk.
The next Adulting 101 event will be on March 10 and will focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and daily exercise routine. The first 25 students to arrive will be given Compass Center yoga mats.
