Beginning at Wagner
Getting Started
This phase refers to the period that begins with your intention to enroll at NYU Wagner and ends just prior to the start of class. It is a phase marked by transitions, and involves significant preparation for what's about to come.
- What courses am I required to take?
- How do I register for classes?
- Who are my peers?
- How do continuing students feel about their classes and professors?
- Where am I going to live?
- What is it going to be like taking tests and doing homework again?
- Who can advise me on how to balance school and work/my relationships/life?
While at Wagner *
Learning the Ropes
Once classes begin, you will encounter many "firsts": first day of class, first homework assignment, first exam, first advisement session, etc. During this phase, you will learn how to navigate the school environment while balancing course work and extracurricular activities.- Where are my classes?
- What specialization should I declare, and how does that influence the classes I should take?
- When should I talk to my faculty advisor, and who are the faculty members that I should connect with?
- What student groups and extracurricular activities should I participate in?
- When should I think about an internship or a new job?
- Who do I talk to to make sure I'm not missing anything?
Making Headway
By this phase, you will have managed to find your academic rhythm, and have a stronger sense of what you would like to do after graduation. You will be more focused on taking advantage of what Wagner offers that may be relevant to your trajectory, but still have a number of unanswered questions in mind.
- Now that I've declared my specialization, what skills will I need to practice?
- What classes will best prepare me for a career in this particular field?
- What internship/work experiences can I add to my resume to prepare me for employment in my interest area?
- How can I use events to increase my learnings?
- Should I take a leadership role in student group(s) or join professional association(s)?
- Should I be taking classes at Stern, Steinhardt, or the Law School? And if so, which ones?
- Am I on track for Capstone?
- Am I making the right choices?
Full Steam Ahead
During this phase, you are extremely intentional about your remaining time at Wagner. You are confident about the choices you are making and know what you need to accomplish before leaving Wagner. With graduation in sight, you are ready to prepare for life after school.
- How do I best differentiate myself from others in the job market?
- Which classes will give me a comparative advantage in my field?
- How can I frame my Capstone experience in a way that is relevant to employers?
- Which events will provide me the best opportunities to network?
- Who are the Wagner alumni best-positioned to connect me with employment opportunities?
- How can I help transition our student group knowledge to next year's board?
- Where else should I consider applying?
*Non-Sequential (Students can move between phases throughout
their time at Wagner)
Learn more about IDEO's research on the student experience at Wagner.
Learn more about IDEO's research on the student experience at Wagner.
Post-Wagner
Fathoming the Depths
After graduating, you have the benefit of both time and distance to reflect back on-and appreciate-your overall experiences at Wagner. Furthermore, applying your learnings from school to the professional world allow you to asses the choices you've made throughout your time here.
- What do I make of my experience at Wagner?
- How am I different now relative to where I was before school?
- What do I now realize about my experiences at Wagner that I didn't necessarily see then?
- What did I learn?
- What do I miss the most?
- Did I make the right choices?
- What do I wish I would have done differently? Do I have any regrets?
- What piece of advice would I give to someone considering Wagner? A current student?
- Would I hire a Wagner graduate?
- What does it mean to be a Wagner student for life? How can I give back?