READY Day Helped Me Build Professional and Life Skills 

By Drakko Harper ’25 

Students filled workshops on Sept. 24, 2025, for the inaugural READY Day, Otterbein University’s new annual event designed to prepare students for life after graduation. The day featured alumni speakers, career resources, and practical advice on topics from financial planning to emotional resilience. As a senior psychology major, I wanted the event to help shape my transition from undergraduate life to a professional career.  

One of the most helpful workshops I attended was Adulting 101: Savings and Investments. The session provided advice on creating financial plans, establishing emergency funds, and starting early with low-risk investments, such as the S&P 500. Having a plan that supports individual goals and lifestyles is important, especially for students who face the financial burdens of student loans, relocation, or graduate school. What I learned is that investing does not have to be intimidating. Starting early, even with small amounts, can have long-term benefits. The speaker encouraged us to think of saving and investing as the first step in a financial plan, not something to do with leftover money.  

Other sessions focused on emotional intelligence and networking. Alumni speaker Jillian Van Auken-Yu emphasized the importance of self-awareness, effective relationship management, and recognizing the signs of burnout. Students created personalized self-care plans to manage stress in professional settings.  

In Networking 101, Randy Dineen of Infoverity explained how to use LinkedIn to connect with alumni, prepare an elevator pitch, and conduct informational interviews to expand career opportunities. These workshops blended professional development with life skills that can be applied in any setting. They also felt especially relevant because the speakers were alumni who understood the challenges students face and wanted to ensure each session was useful.  

The Next Destination Fair was another highlight. Graduate program recruiters shared information about a wide range of master’s and doctoral tracks, which helped me explore options beyond the traditional clinical or counseling paths in psychology. Preparing an elevator pitch beforehand made networking smoother and gave recruiters a clearer idea of what I was looking for, even though I am still narrowing down my choices. I left with new contacts, program information, and a better sense of where I might want to continue my education.  

Even with a strong schedule and engaging speakers, READY Day was not without challenges for its first year — popular sessions were too crowded, and some sessions I wanted to attend overlapped.* 

Despite these first-year logistical issues, READY Day was a valuable experience. I left with practical skills, professional connections, and encouragement from alumni who had once been in the same position. With preparation, every student can take something meaningful from READY Day, and I encourage underclassmen to take advantage of the opportunities it offers in future years. 

*Based on student feedback from the inaugural READY Day, the 2026 event will be offering popular sessions more than once and utilizing some larger spaces. Student Success and Career Development can’t wait for students to experience this year’s event on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026!