Spring Break
The future freaks me out
A college degree is no longer enough
Lauren Collins
Issue date: 2/17/09 Section: Opinion
Just one semester shy of graduating, I am carrying the load of the all-too-frightening fears that many graduates face when the final thought of "growing up" slaps you in the face. Ideally, pursuing a four-year degree would promise that picture perfect dream job, with a comfortable salary, plus benefits, but graduating from college no longer guarantees a secure future.
With the economy in its current frustrating state and the daily promises for change, I am slightly discouraged by the fact that I, alone, do not seem capable of doing anything to make the unchangeable circumstances better.
Business majors bank on job opportunities that correlate with our current economy, science majors are likely to pursue high-end research careers and education majors anticipate working in desirable schools.
Often our first, second or top-10 job choices are not available upon graduating, which leaves a bundle of discouraged graduates. Advisers, message boards and career fairs are available on campus, but the information often seems limited.
As an English major, family and friends immediately assume I will pursue a teaching career, but I don't want to limit myself to education. Due to the number of magazines, newspapers and New York Bestsellers, writers are abundant somewhere, but I have yet to figure out what they've done to make their mark.
English majors are not the only students capable of pursuing various career possibilities, yet, so often, the job opportunities are overlooked, due to lack of information.
When I discussed my frustrations with a respected professor about the limited message boards, we collaborated on the idea of having monthly discussion groups for students within their selected majors. The groups could entail professors and students gathering to discuss potential career options, as well as the expectations of the professional world. Essentially, the groups would eliminate the stresses involved in job hunting by providing information about prior experiences and creating an available network of people to answer questions. Although interested professors and students would have to dedicate time to such groups, the potential results seem to be nothing but beneficial.
A number of jobs have special requirements regarding level of education, prior experience or internships and a set of desired skills before hiring personnel. This should not come as a surprise to any student, but the requirements vary accordingly. Students could successfully link their existing achievements with the necessary goals to land their desired jobs or careers.
By pooling valuable resources, students would become more hopeful and less apprehensive about the overwhelming demands of the "adult world."
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
With the economy in its current frustrating state and the daily promises for change, I am slightly discouraged by the fact that I, alone, do not seem capable of doing anything to make the unchangeable circumstances better.
Business majors bank on job opportunities that correlate with our current economy, science majors are likely to pursue high-end research careers and education majors anticipate working in desirable schools.
Often our first, second or top-10 job choices are not available upon graduating, which leaves a bundle of discouraged graduates. Advisers, message boards and career fairs are available on campus, but the information often seems limited.
As an English major, family and friends immediately assume I will pursue a teaching career, but I don't want to limit myself to education. Due to the number of magazines, newspapers and New York Bestsellers, writers are abundant somewhere, but I have yet to figure out what they've done to make their mark.
English majors are not the only students capable of pursuing various career possibilities, yet, so often, the job opportunities are overlooked, due to lack of information.
When I discussed my frustrations with a respected professor about the limited message boards, we collaborated on the idea of having monthly discussion groups for students within their selected majors. The groups could entail professors and students gathering to discuss potential career options, as well as the expectations of the professional world. Essentially, the groups would eliminate the stresses involved in job hunting by providing information about prior experiences and creating an available network of people to answer questions. Although interested professors and students would have to dedicate time to such groups, the potential results seem to be nothing but beneficial.
A number of jobs have special requirements regarding level of education, prior experience or internships and a set of desired skills before hiring personnel. This should not come as a surprise to any student, but the requirements vary accordingly. Students could successfully link their existing achievements with the necessary goals to land their desired jobs or careers.
By pooling valuable resources, students would become more hopeful and less apprehensive about the overwhelming demands of the "adult world."
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Jessica
posted 2/17/09 @ 6:06 PM EST
The group discussions are a great initiative and i hope they will benefit people. But just let me warn you now because you all will find out soon enough - stay in college for as long as you can and get a masters or a 2nd major if you can and try to wait out this economy. (Continued…)
Rachel
posted 2/18/09 @ 12:40 AM EST
I love The Future Freaks Me Out, by Motion City Soundtrack.
Shocker
posted 2/18/09 @ 8:54 AM EST
Wow, a whole BA in Communications and you couldn't find your dream job in a couple of months?! Who would ever have guessed that such a demanding, comprehensive, skill-ladened degree would leave one in the lurch?! Makes me reconsider my Basket-Weaving degree. (Continued…)
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