The College Experience

The College Experience – Trend-Setter or Non-Sequitur?
by George A. Miu

Modern society dictates that aspiring young professionals attend college and earn a degree in order to maximize their prospects and the likelihood of succeeding in an increasingly complex and moderately disoriented world. After nearly four years of reasonably rigorous schooling, and mere months before my completion of a BA in Philosophy and a BS in Mathematics, I have cautiously entered the job market in search of a career-starting position at one company or another. My discoveries, and the inferences I can draw from them, are listed below:

1. On College Majors
The precise nature of the college major is not overly important, so long as it can reasonably be assumed that it prepares you adequately for the position. For instance, my math degree is good for a great number of economics related jobs, most of which require on-the-job training, and merely ask candidates to be comfortable in data-intensive environments. Now – don’t expect to get a job in the financial world with a Criminal Justice degree. It doesn’t quite work out that way. But, if you can show that your background is suitable for the tasks that will be required of you, your foot is already in the door (and a good resume will help you achieve this).

2. On Grade Point Averages
It seems to me that GPA calculations and re-calculations occur on a near-daily basis for some of us more concerned college students. However, it has occurred to me that the difference between, say, a 3.4 and a 3.7 is nowhere near as significant as previous job experience and/or honors and distinctions attained in the past. Indeed, the greater vast majority of job postings have no specified requirement, and a 3.3 or above is generally considered to be a plus in your application, based on my understanding of things.

3. On Work Experience
Obviously, most of us are going in looking for our first true full-time job. So this section of our resumes will not be very substantial. Nevertheless, I encourage all of the younger college students to try their hand at office jobs and positions that grant you a fair degree of independence. This bodes well for prospective employees who can demonstrate some sort of knowledge of the inner workings of an office and the deadlines and pressures associated with it.

4. On Communication Skills
Virtually every employer out there wants its workers to be eloquent, well-spoken and (especially) well-written. There is nothing more important that knowing how to get your point across in simple-but-classy terminology. So try emulating your professors in how you talk (assuming, of course, that your professors are good speakers and/or writers). It may seem pompous and needless at first, but with a bit of refining, it will put you in a prime position to impress when it comes to cover letters and interviews.

5. On Job Fairs & Career Services
Every college has some sort of office whose sole purpose it is to facilitate interactions between graduating students and employers. Use these to your advantage – go and talk to companies and their representatives and always have your resume handy. The worst that can possibly happen is that you won’t get a call back; but the learning experience is priceless. Remember – most of us have no idea as to what’s out there and what’s waiting for us beyond graduation. The more you acquaint yourself with these unknowns, the better your chances are at picking a good job for yourself that you will enjoy and (hopefully) flourish in for many years to come!