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"Everyone agreed that all these life skills kept popping up, and no one had
explained them," he said.

Vickey and his wife Nicole then co-founded Caps & Compass, a company
designed to help college graduates learn real-world skills without the
actual trial and error experience.

It began with the seminars. Andy Ferguson, who gives seminars for Cap &
Compass, has traveled across the country to college campuses speaking on
topics like "Avoid Looking Stupid at Dinner," "Love Your Money," "Getting
Your Apartment," "W4401KHMO: Translating Day 1 At Work" and "The Least You
Need to Know about Taxes." Ferguson and the Vickeys have spoken at
universities from Maine to Florida and anticipate expanding to the West
Coast.

The seminars are lively and aimed at entertaining while teaching.

"We throw out candy," Vickey said. "We have people come up and dress in
costumes."

Cap & Compass's latest venture, a book titled "Life After School.
Explained." furthers the company's mission to aid graduating seniors.

Co-authored by the Vickeys and Ferguson, the book is a guide for those
heading out into the real world.

The book targets a range of people, from those who are etiquette challenged
(think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman), to those who just want to learn how
to fill out a tax form.

Beginning with simple, easy-to-remember tips, such as how to memorize which
bread plate and glass belong to whom at a formal dinner, the book covers
everything from defining "business casual" to HMOs, 401K plans, fixing bad
credit and finding an apartment in a new city.

The book, published in February, is a compilation of the five seminars.
Vickey said the company's short-term goals include getting the book into
more bookstores and marketing it to alumni organizations.

"We offer the book to alumni organizations to give it to seniors as a gift,"
he said. "They buy 1,000 copies and customize each book."

In less than a week, GW seniors will face the world with minds full of
calculus formulas, political jargon and peace treaty dates. Even after all
those nights spent cramming for exams, with a college diploma to show for
it, many seniors said they feel unprepared for life after college.

Some GW students said they feel they would benefit from a book like "Life
After School."

Mary Cashman, a senior in the School of Business and Public Management,
intends to travel to the West Coast after working at Martha's Vineyard this
summer. She said her biggest fear next year is being responsible for all her
finances.

"My biggest concern in college is paying the phone bill, getting the
groceries and cleaning the bathroom," she said. "My parents have talked to
me about getting a job with a good medical and 401K plan, but right now I
barely even know how to balance my checkbook."

Students who have lived on campus for the past four years will face the
challenge of finding their own apartment for the first time.

SBPM senior Grace Baek, who is interviewing for jobs, said she feels
unprepared about renting an apartment because she is unfamiliar with the
terms of leases since she has never done it before.

"I guess I am nervous about purchasing any big high ticket items, like cars
even," she said.

Others are laid back about not knowing it all next year. Senior Eric
Carroll, a student in the Elliott School of International Affairs, plans to
move home to Philadelphia in the fall to look for a job.

"When the time comes, I will figure it out," he said.

Some seniors said GW's emphasis on internships and jobs outside class has
prepared them for life after college. Columbian College senior R.C. Hammond,
who has held a job every semester for four years, said he has a job working
for an engineer and a place to live for after graduation.

"I am getting my health insurance through my employer and called around for
the lowest quote on auto insurance," he said.

The final page in Ferguson's and the Vickeys' book gives advice on buying an
engagement ring. Senior Raashi Sachdeva jestfully said this was the only
topic she felt confident about knowing in the book.

"I know the four C's to finding the perfect diamond: clarity, color, cut,
and carat," she said.

Sachdeva, who is graduating from SBPM, still has a while before leaving the
academic world because she will be attending law school at Ohio State
University in the fall.

Vickey's advice to those leaving the college bubble is to not be afraid to
ask questions.

"You're allowed to ask questions without anyone raising an eyebrow for the
first six months," he said. "After a year, if you ask about HMOs, people are
going to wonder since you have had one for so long."