Unfortunately, it’s no longer sufficient to enter the work force brandishing only a diploma with your name. The real world seeks qualified graduates who have a wealth of knowledge, valued skills and, most of all, the ability to hit the ground running. In this respect, a degree by itself is not sufficient to prepare students for the workforce. It requires your input.
According to CNBC, as of June 2015, the average cost of attending a private university is $42,500 per year, while public universities average $19,000. With the desperation to settle into a comfortable job, or the aspiration to become the next Bill Gates, students cling to their student loans to finance their future—a future that attempts to bypass the 7.2 percent unemployment rate for recent college graduates. So the question is: what can you do to get your foot through the door?
Address your skillset. According to the Washington Post, most students enter college with a deficit in knowledge, and upon graduation four years later, 40 percent lack complex reasoning skills. It seems effortless to slip into the lifestyle of striving for the “easy A,” but in the process, you may overlook opportunities to develop reasoning and analytical skills, which are produced inside the classroom and refined through hands on application. A shortage of such skills can be partly attributed to curriculum. If a class is too easy or too far removed from your interests, it is normal to adopt an air of inattentiveness. To minimize this outcome, it’s imperative that you evaluate your major choice in depth.
Don’t accept defeat. When you’re tested with a difficult course, rise up to the challenge. Don’t make the mistake of cowering under the pressure. The confidence and positive mindset you develop in the process are invaluable. Attitudes like these are not just instrumental in the workplace, they are also instrumental in life.
The absence of critical qualities in university graduates is clearly visible. Most notably, the need to develop communication is a common problem that is often cited. Simple tasks, such as sending an email, can speak volumes about your personality to peers, faculty and employers. BBC News dubs it the “millennial symptom” that has been heightened by the intense use of social media. Owning a degree should mean that you possess writing etiquette and the ability to articulate your thoughts.
Dare to venture outside of your comfort zone. Emilio Lorenzo, assistant director of Career Advisement from the Office of Career Development, said, “You are using your degree to leverage yourself.”
Imagine university as a piece of property that you invest in to raise its value. In essence, it’s your gateway to success with opportunities that exist in the form of internships, volunteer work, academic projects and leadership roles.
Take a trip to the Office of Career Development. Career advisers bridge the gap between students and employers, providing insight into skills employers seek and opportunities you should exploit.
Emily Tasca, a career adviser, said, “There are skills that students may not even realize they are missing.”
University is the opportunity for students to find the right balance. There are a number of support services to assist in the process, such as the Office of Student Success. It is also essential for students to get involved on campus and build a network they can use to gain additional skills.
Sarah Watson, senior psychology major, said, “Transitioning into the work force can be intimidating, despite its perks. It’s during your time at university when you develop time management, professionalism and the ability to cope with stress.”
Obtaining a degree is not what prepares you for life after graduation. Before you’re thrown into the real world, make adjustments and take opportunities to enhance your skill sets so you can ensure the utmost success.
