Career Development Workshop Teaches the Art of Obituary-Writing
The New School Office of Career Development held a “Write Your Own Obituary” workshop on Thursday, October 27, at 79 Fifth Avenue, room 501.
The event was organized by Jennifer Rupert, Assistant Director of Career Development at The New School.
Once the obituaries were written, attendees passed them around for another person to read them out loud. Three attendees from The New School wrote and discussed their own obituaries. Then they were asked to identify three themes in them.
Nicole Wolfrath, Associate Director of Career Development, read the obituary of Evan Warren, a currently unemployed New School alumni and found his themes to be a detailed fantasy. Warren, a frequent reader of The New York Times obituary section, referred to himself as “a front man” with “a six-decade-long career” and a passion for acting and performing.
“I’m interested in seeing how different people’s lives ended, especially with actors,” Warren said.
The attendees also related their obituaries to the recession.
“When I looked at [my own obituary], it is a real indicator where the economy is now,” said Wolfrath. “There are so many variables[that are] oppressing to our dreams.”
Before Rupert organized the workshop, she wrote her obituary in a New York University class for career counselors. Leading up to the event, she encouraged people to attend, but she admitted that many were either afraid or nervous.
Alex Tunney, a Creative Writing student and Program Assistant for Office of Career Development attended. “I was nervous in putting it down [in words] but I felt like at the same time, this would help me figure some stuff out.”
When Rupert asked Warren and Tunney if she should hold this event again next year, they both said, “Yes!”
The event was organized by Jennifer Rupert, Assistant Director of Career Development at The New School.
Once the obituaries were written, attendees passed them around for another person to read them out loud. Three attendees from The New School wrote and discussed their own obituaries. Then they were asked to identify three themes in them.
Nicole Wolfrath, Associate Director of Career Development, read the obituary of Evan Warren, a currently unemployed New School alumni and found his themes to be a detailed fantasy. Warren, a frequent reader of The New York Times obituary section, referred to himself as “a front man” with “a six-decade-long career” and a passion for acting and performing.
“I’m interested in seeing how different people’s lives ended, especially with actors,” Warren said.
The attendees also related their obituaries to the recession.
“When I looked at [my own obituary], it is a real indicator where the economy is now,” said Wolfrath. “There are so many variables[that are] oppressing to our dreams.”
Before Rupert organized the workshop, she wrote her obituary in a New York University class for career counselors. Leading up to the event, she encouraged people to attend, but she admitted that many were either afraid or nervous.
Alex Tunney, a Creative Writing student and Program Assistant for Office of Career Development attended. “I was nervous in putting it down [in words] but I felt like at the same time, this would help me figure some stuff out.”
When Rupert asked Warren and Tunney if she should hold this event again next year, they both said, “Yes!”
More by this Author
Featured Articles
