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Cap & Compass is a company based in Branford, Conn. that aims to help college students adjust to the "real world" through books and seminars, said Andy Ferguson, a speaker for the company seminars.

Jesse and Nicole Vickey started the company two years ago after they graduated from Duke University, Ferguson said.

"After graduating from Duke and working in the real world, (Jesse and Nicole) realized they were doing a lot of stuff by trial and error," Ferguson said. "They felt it was something that needed to be covered, and it seemed that there was a void to fill."

Cap & Compass teaches about life after college at colleges with five different seminars and using equal amounts of serious answers and humor, Ferguson said. The topics of the seminars include taxes, the first day on the job, understanding money, dinner etiquette and getting an apartment, Ferguson said. The seminars usually last about an hour, and each campus gets two seminars.

The humor of the seminars is intended to make learning about usually boring subjects interesting, Ferguson said.  "We take on all of the different topics you need to know about but aren't excited to learn about," Ferguson said. "We help people understand the terms and move on."

Ferguson keeps students interested by using visual aids, audience participation and a dose of light-hearted humor. "Our main goal is to bring these topics to the forefront," Ferguson said.

"We educate college students so they don't have to learn by trial and error. "There are so many topics that are glossed over. There are a lot of little things that would be great to know."

Ferguson said he hopes the seminars provide students with answers to questions about life after college and also provide additional resources for college students to deal with issues.

The company released a book this year titled "life after school. explained." which serves as a compliment to the seminars.

Adding to the need for such a service is a survey conducted by Cap & Compass this year that said 73 percent of those polled felt unprepared for life after college.

At Marquette, the impending future is an issue that is on the minds of some future graduates. Michelle Haas, a senior nursing major, said she feels unprepared for life after college. "I am concerned with maintaining financial stability," Haas said. "And my biggest concern is what area to live in."

Keith Moser, a senior majoring in history and political science, feels prepared for post-college life thanks to his living situation. "I feel pretty well adjusted," Moser said. "The transition from dorms to the apartments has helped a lot."

Meredith McDonald, a biomedical sciences senior, said her education has prepared her for life but still would like help with some of the basics. "I want to find a way to budget my money and live in a place with a ceiling and four walls," McDonald said.
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