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Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Observer

Uncertain futures

The last time I sat in the JACC for a graduation was four years ago. It was my sister's graduation and I truthfully couldn't tell you who gave the commencement speech - I do remember spotting Fr. Jenkins closing his eyes for a few minutes on stage, it was just that memorable. For myself and all of my classmates, that won't be an issue.

The class of 2009 has gone through a lot since we first stepped foot on campus. We were here for Fr. Jenkins inauguration and got to see Tom Brokaw moderate a debate. And now as we leave we deal with another newly inaugurated president, granted it's the President of the United States. We've dealt with an airplane carrying a picture of a 10-week fetus flying around campus and past our apartment windows for the past few weeks. But I don't think I'm alone when I say that I'm pretty indifferent at this point.

Yes I'm frustrated that graduation could potentially be a circus and that we might have to line up at 11 a.m. for security purposes. But the thing is, we're graduating at a unique time in history and while it might be frustrating and somewhat scary, I'm also excited.

We get to listen to what President Obama has to say and while everyone may not agree with his beliefs, we are one of three schools in the country that will get to say the president was their commencement speaker.

And while some of us will be headed into the corporate world or graduate school, not everyone knows where they will be a year from now. Yes I don't have a plan right ahead of me, but a lot of people don't, the chaos en masse is somewhat settling. While the current economy has made the job hunt harder than ever, there has been some blessing in it. I'm not willing to settle for something that I won't be excited to do, I know that I want to continue in my journalism career and find a job that I love going to every morning (or possibly every night). So while I'm stressed that my immediate future isn't planned, I know that my long term future will be something I'm happy with.

I think my four years at Notre Dame have allowed me to settle into that mentality. I poured my heart and soul into the relationships I made here, and those people have allowed me be confident in who I am and where I'm going. My friends are what I'll miss most about the Golden Dome. That's why my uncertainty has become less and less frustrating as senior year progressed. I stopped worrying about what my first job would be out of college, after all most people hate their first job anyway, and I started focusing on enjoying what little time I had left. I remember my sister telling me that the years seem to get shorter and shorter as you get older - she could not have been more right. It seems like yesterday I was walking around Bond Quad trying not to cry as my family drove away. I'm almost positive there will be tears again this weekend.

I'm ready to move on, I'm happy I won't have to sit in a classroom for potentially a very long time, but I'm not ready to walk away and start over again. I came to Notre Dame as the only person from my high school, and I walk away with the best friends I've ever had. I wouldn't trade my four years here for anything and I know that no matter what happens I will always look back and remember the laughs and the smiles, not the fights and the drama. I look forward to figuring out what path I'll follow, and I know that I'll always keep Notre Dame close to my heart, and my friends on speed dial.



Deirdre Krasula will graduate with a degree in Finance and English. She doesn't have a job lined up yet, but is still in the interviewing process for any and all broadcast journalism jobs. She would like to thank all the Badin girls, Katie Rose, Katie, Becki, Hannah, Megan, VyVy and Jacquelin, for always being there no matter what. She would also like to thank her parents and her sister who have been her support system since day one and have always encouraged her to chase her dreams.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.


The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.