As the fall semester ends, many students will graduate and leave for the work force, but some students will continue higher education here and elsewhere.

Sarah Starr, a senior in communication, said she is considering applying to graduate school, with Appalachian State University as her first choice.

“I’m debating whether I should take classes before the fall,” Starr, who will graduate Wednesday, Dec. 19, said.

She has decided however to move to Boone after graduation to prepare for a Master’s program in communication disorders.

Starr said she has experienced the burden some students feel when paying for college, as she said she has paid for most of her schooling through loans.

But she said ASU is an affordable choice.

“ASU is generally not the most expensive place,” she said.

According to Starr, she realized what she wanted to focus on after working in an elementary school with sixth graders.

“It’s a good time to catch early problems that arise,” she said.

While she could also have career possibilities in a hospital or therapy setting, Starr said it would be more difficult to direct someone much older than her.

But she said she has not discounted those options yet.

“I’m looking forward to a Master’s program to get a feel for what I can do,” she said.

According to Edwin Moon, a senior in mechanical engineering, many other students are heading straight for the work force after graduating.

“I’m interviewing for a bunch of jobs, and hopefully I’ll get one of them,” Moon, who will also graduate in the December commencement, said.

He is vying for positions with MNM Design Group and Agent Employer in Raleigh, he said.

Moon said he wants to work in automotive design and that the field is very competitive.

“I’m kind of behind, because I don’t have much experience,” he said.

But, Moon said a degree from N.C. State has made him more confident, especially because he is in the engineering department.

After about five years of gaining general engineering experience, Moon said he hopes to move to a design job.

Starr said she will keep learning long after she graduates, with required periodic training and conferences.

She is looking forward to her career, she said, but will greatly miss going to NCSU.

“I’ve been really surprised by some great people here,” she said.

According to Moon, there are other elements that will not be missed.

“I’m definitely looking forward to not taking tests anymore,” he said.