Spring Break
Confused about what to do next?
Furthering your education may be the way to go
Lara Oliver
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Opinion
As a graduating senior, the prospects in front of me are pretty daunting. In the middle of a recession bordering on a depression, it's hard for me to ignore the fact that my English degree with a minor in film won't be landing me some scratch anytime soon. That, in addition to my mounting debt from school loans, has me looking into the prospects of furthering my education. Or, you know, working three part-time jobs for 10 years to pay off all that debt.
Having been in the position of working two part-time jobs on top of a full-time job just to make ends meet, I'm thinking of graduate school. But, I feel like in my time at ECU, I haven't really been introduced to a lot of my options following graduation. A lot of other students I've talked to feel the same way. We're all aware on a certain level that our options after college can expand anywhere from entering the workforce, military or going into postgraduate education, such as law or med school. Yet, that basic understanding leaves us at, well, the basics.
Many students feel that they've already made plans for the future by majoring in subjects such as pre-med or pre-law, under the assumption that these degrees will increase their chances of getting into law or medical school. That's not the case, according to many students already in law school.
"You learn what you need to know about law in law school. Learn something you love while you have the chance," said Chris Saunders, a UNC law student. "I'm sure they're out there, but I've never met a single pre-law or political science major in my time [at UNC]."
The same applies to pre-meds; according to Health Careers, many medical schools don't look as favorably on pre-med majors as other, more multifaceted students. Emphasizing taking the necessary classes, such as organic chemistry and physics seems to be the best advice for those with their eyes on the medical field.
Yet, even with the information available, many students still mistakenly path their careers their freshman year unaware of the advice many older, wiser students have for them. While many students know where to look and who to ask, what options are there available for everyone else?
Having been in the position of working two part-time jobs on top of a full-time job just to make ends meet, I'm thinking of graduate school. But, I feel like in my time at ECU, I haven't really been introduced to a lot of my options following graduation. A lot of other students I've talked to feel the same way. We're all aware on a certain level that our options after college can expand anywhere from entering the workforce, military or going into postgraduate education, such as law or med school. Yet, that basic understanding leaves us at, well, the basics.
Many students feel that they've already made plans for the future by majoring in subjects such as pre-med or pre-law, under the assumption that these degrees will increase their chances of getting into law or medical school. That's not the case, according to many students already in law school.
"You learn what you need to know about law in law school. Learn something you love while you have the chance," said Chris Saunders, a UNC law student. "I'm sure they're out there, but I've never met a single pre-law or political science major in my time [at UNC]."
The same applies to pre-meds; according to Health Careers, many medical schools don't look as favorably on pre-med majors as other, more multifaceted students. Emphasizing taking the necessary classes, such as organic chemistry and physics seems to be the best advice for those with their eyes on the medical field.
Yet, even with the information available, many students still mistakenly path their careers their freshman year unaware of the advice many older, wiser students have for them. While many students know where to look and who to ask, what options are there available for everyone else?
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