Shenandoah University’s Life Skills Symposium will give its junior and senior students a day-long opportunity to learn about the most important aspects of “adulting” from expert alumni, community members and other university partners.
Students will have the ability to practice their networking skills, learn about the importance of finding a mentor, and hear from panelists and guest speakers on a number of topics including (but not limited to): debt management, salary negotiation, retirement planning, financial security, interview skills, workplace professionalism, identity theft prevention, civic engagement & volunteerism, time management & goal setting, international travel & safety, stress management and the “Big Purchase” of a car, home, etc.
- Practice your networking skills in our Networking Reception area, and grab some FREE food and drink!
- Complete your Basic Life Skills Passport and be entered into a drawing for various door prizes
- Visit our vendors to get FREE giveaways

Register now!
Admission is free!
Register by Wednesday, March 25, to be entered into a drawing for one of FIVE $50 Amazon gift cards. You must be present at the keynote speaker to win.
Schedule of Events
All sessions will take place in the Brandt Student Center.
1:30 p.m.
Check-in begins
Session 1 | 2 p.m. – 2:25 p.m.
- International Travel and Safety
- Health, Exercise and Stress Management
- Civic Engagement & Volunteerism
Session 2 | 2:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.
- Identity Theft Prevention
- Financial Bootcamp
- The Job Search: Resume/CV & Cover Letter Building; How to Ace Your Interview
Session 3 | 3 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
- Time Management & Goal Setting
- “The Big Purchase”
- Basic Cooking/Cleaning/Laundry/Home Improvement Skills
Session 4 | 3:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
- Workplace Professionalism/Politics, Etiquette & Networking
- Acquiring Insurance & Retirement Planning
- Salary Negotiation
4:15 p.m.
Keynote on mentoring by President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
Session 5 | 5 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.
- International Travel and Safety
- Health, Exercise and Stress Management
- Civic Engagement & Volunteerism
Session 6 | 5:30 p.m. – 5:55 p.m.
- Identity Theft Prevention
- Financial Bootcamp
- The Job Search: Resume/CV & Cover Letter Building; How to Ace Your Interview
Session 7 | 6 p.m. – 6:25 p.m.
- Time Management & Goal Setting
- “The Big Purchase”
- Basic Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry, & Home Improvement Skills
Session 8 | 6:30 p.m. – 6:55 p.m.
- Workplace Professionalism/Politics, Etiquette & Networking
- Acquiring Insurance & Retirement Planning
- Salary Negotiation
Practice Adulting Anytime on Real World Ready
Real World Ready is your comprehensive guide to life after school. We’ll walk you through the major decisions you’ll experience when you get out there (in a way you can actually understand).
Built by the team at realworld, this self-paced, online program covers everything you need to know to legitimately understand a credit card offer and stay calm when someone says “401(k)”. From employer paperwork to student loans, we’ve got your back!
Before you’re out there on your own, get prepared for the real world with our help!
Learn about:
- Personal Finance
- Health Care
- Leasing an Apartment
- Graduate School
- Finding a Job and Accepting an Offer
- Student Loans
- Starting a New Job
- First Year Out
- International Students
Thank you to our Symposium Sponsors