Vegas is in the cards for music education senior Laura Hoecker, who plans to move there after graduation.

While not every graduate faces such an enviable task of taking a job in one of America’s most colorful cities, it is still an exciting, if not extremely nerve-wracking, time in a graduating senior’s life.

Nearly 800 students will receive undergraduate degrees this semester. According to the Office of Student Records, around 500 students from the College of Arts and Sciences will graduate, while a total of about 300 students will graduate from the College of Business Administration and the College of Music.

Like their peers nationwide, they face the reality of having to adapt from an environment of higher learning to the work environment. But preparing for the change ahead can be a hit-or-miss ordeal.

Some, like Brandy Hawkins, music education senior, already have their plans laid out.

“I will be student-teaching for a semester,” Hawkins said. “After that I plan to attend graduate school in vocal performance.”

Others, such as Danny Birt, music therapy senior, are less enthusiastic about the immediate future, due in large part to the student loans they now have to pay off.

“I’m very thankful that I got those loans,” he said, but also noted, “It’s not going to be terribly fun paying them back, but it’s something I need to do.”

Birt said that his plans after graduation include an internship in California and perhaps graduate school after that.

Hawkins is also preparing herself to pay off student loans.

“I am just waiting for the bill to get in the mail,” she said.

“Money is money; I’m going to be a teacher, so I’m never going to be rolling in the dough,” Hoecker said. “I’m not too concerned about it.”

Mary Diaz, marketing senior, experienced education from a unique perspective. Diaz, who is from Puerto Rico, said that after graduation, she will be returning to the commonwealth to work on her master’s degree.

“I’m going to get my master’s in advertising,” she said.

Diaz said she’s excited about the change that graduation will bring.

“I’m happy I am graduating, but I’m sad that I’m not going to see my friends anymore because they are from Central America,” she said.

The commencement ceremonies will be held Thursday through Saturday, May 13 to 15, at the university’s Uptown campus. The College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 15. U.S. Senator John Breaux of Crowley will give the commencement remarks.

The College of Music, College of Business Administration, and City College commencement ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, in the Marquette Horseshoe. Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu is scheduled to be that ceremony’s keynote speaker.

Thomas Slack can be reached at [email protected].