Students Can Turn Their College Experience Into A Great CareerBy Michael Foster on November 13, 2010 Category: Health Magazines Attending college is about more than just the end result: a college degree and a great job. The college experience is about the journey. Taking advantage of the college experience to prepare for a career means exploring opportunities, embracing challenges, learning something new everyday and having a good time in the process. This isn’t to advocate over indulgence. It is merely a way of suggesting that all study and no play can make students dull and boring. A big part of attending college is for students to mature, learn to live on their own, develop good decision-making skills and become responsible young adults. Get the Most From College Courses While many college students arrive on campus with a pre-determined goal and career in mind, the direct route isn’t always the best route. Yes, getting a degree in a field that is closely related to their career aspirations provides a good foundation and makes students marketable. However, the components of that degree are equally as important as the degree itself. That means, even college students who know what they want to do when they graduate should take classes outside their major area of study. Where college students can expand their horizon is by looking at current job trends – sustainability, technology, health care -- and taking classes that relate to their college degree but fall into complimentary areas of study. Or they may want to choose classes that challenge them to think in a new way or explore a topic completely unfamiliar to them. The idea is to get the most out of the learning experience. Gain College Experiences to Jump Start a Career College should be about more than just attending class and taking exams. The opportunities available to today’s college students are immense. Today’s college students live in a world of globalization and rapid technological advancement. Students have never-ending access to the entire world right from their dorm rooms. They can travel abroad virtually or in an exchange program. They can meet people from a variety of different countries without ever leaving campus. Or they can enjoy an opportunity to study overseas, learn another language and develop an understanding of another culture. Colleges and universities also offer an abundance of campus activities and events that can provide students with opportunities to learn new skills and improve on those they already have. From sports and clubs to social and career events, colleges and universities offer a variety of experiences. Gain Work and Life Experiences to Compliment Career Goals Another important thing to remember about the college experience is that it shouldn’t just be about book learning. Practical application is vital to driving home the point of the courses students take. This means selecting appropriate internships and co-op opportunities, working on campus, getting a part-time job or doing volunteer work in order to gain real-life work experiences that compliment the knowledge that students are gaining in class. And don’t forget the importance of developing new friendships with peers and building good relationships with professors. Not only are these people important for future networking opportunities, but they often become life-long friends who can offer advice and support for future work and life experiences. Turning the college experience into a great career is all about using the time wisely so students can get the most out of their college education. dissertation research proposal |
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