Seniors Push to Finish Strong Before Graduation

The buildings of East Campus are dotted with gowned navy figures as the 2026 University of Northern Colorado graduating class capture their final moments on campus. With a little less than three weeks left until students walk across stage in a celebratory ceremony, seniors are starting to feel the pressure to finish well. 

“You are going to have to live with how you finish,” UNC senior Gracie Ericson said. “I mean, other people see how you finish things, but ultimately, you have to live with yourself at the end of the day. So, if you slack off and you kind of just coast your way through you are going to remember that more than anybody else.” 

Although GPAs and final grades will fade from the minds of university students as they become established in the workforce, the gratification of their achievements will stick with them long after they see the last burst of confetti on their Canvas page. Just like the classes that came before them, the class of 2026 has the potential to impact future students through their academic perseverance and shape UNC into a better university for the generations of students that will come after them. 

According to a 2025 graduate employability report by Cengage, it has been difficult for recent graduating classes to find full-time employment related to their education. The introduction of artificial intelligence to streamline workflows, difficulty hiring entry-level talent because of skill gaps and economic struggles have combined to create one of the tightest entry-level job markets in five years. 

Despite the struggles, many UNC students have been able to overcome and find jobs within their fields of study. UNC senior Keller McBride is graduating on May 9 with a bachelor’s of business administration with a concentration in finance. He credits the Monfort College of Business for setting him up for success.

“Before you graduate you have to have an internship, and my internship led to my full-time job,” McBride said. “I think that was a huge benefit and they bring in people to help you get those internships and stuff. So, there are a lot of career skills they help you get before you graduate.” 

McBride will start his full-time position at the JBS corporate office as a sales coordinator two days after he walks at commencement and earns his UNC degree. Ericson is also starting a full-time job after graduation, and although the job is not specific to her accounting specification, it will pave the way for future opportunities in her professional career.

Another student, Marvin Tercero, is pursuing degrees in Jazz Studies, music business and recording arts as well as a certificate in music technology. He praises the College of Performing & Visual Arts for their student engagement. 

“The instructors and professors demonstrate really well their care to their students, especially when the students are going through something difficult,” Tercero said. “Whether it might be something academically or something personal, the instructor they really do spend time with the students and are able to help them through it.” 

Aside from community support, Tercero has also honed his skills as a musician because of diversity in academic work that has been presented to him by his professors. Although he does not have a job lined up for when he graduates, he is excited to enjoy some time off before he begins his professional career.  

“I plan to just decompress for 6 to 9 months,” Tercero said. “But during that time of decompressing I will be doing a lot of business planning and service planning to see what kind product I can offer…and then I will plan how I am going to do it with like rates and stuff like that.” 

Tercero feels more confident in the quality of his work and plans to continue innovating with music and hopes to eventually open his own rehearsal studio to make recording music accessible for other aspiring musicians.

Once a Bear, always a Bear. As the class of 2026 exit UNC and become young professionals with diverging career paths, their experiences at UNC will act as a unifying banner propelling them towards the future. On May 9, senior Tercero was awarded two degrees and a certificate and become the first college graduate in his family. He is grateful to the university for their support throughout every step of his academic journey. 

“I’m really excited,” Tercero said. “At first, it’s daunting because change is scary, but I’ve gotten to the point where life moves on and if I don’t then I am going to be behind. So, I must make it on time for the train to the next destination.”