Selecting fields of study
In the past, few college students have to plan for their careers because life is simple. If they go to college and get a degree, they can find a job, then go to work on that job for the rest of their life. Today thing is more complex with globalization, fast changing technologies, economic competition, and more people compete for fewer jobs. Therefore, college students must carefully plan their career, get guidances to select the right field of study, obtain the right skills to find a good job. They will change job several times in their life by continuously learning new skills as demand changes.
Although students are idealists, they need to balance their ideas with reality. If they want to follow their dream, they need to balance it with the reality of making a living. Students need to understand that there is a difference between a degree and skills. The degree is not a guarantee for a job. It is only a key to unlock the opportunity door but it is their skills that allow them to seize the opportunity. Most companies consider degree is a requirement to apply for job but they hire people based entirely on their skills to do the job.
Today most good jobs require specific skills. Many skills did not even exist ten years ago. This requires students to investigate and identify industry needs before select their fields of study. Many college students tend to go to school, wandering around to see what interests them, select a field of study to try, then switch it a few times, before settled in a field that they like. Without clear direction, they may waste time and miss a good opportunity. If they select the wrong field of study, they may have difficulty after graduation.
The best thing to do is to prepare as early as possible before they enter college or as late when they begin college. They must select the field of study that offers them the best chance to achieve their goal. They should understand what kind of job they can get, what kind of salary they can make, and what jobs will be available when they graduate. Selecting a right field of study does not guarantee a job but it can make their time in college better as they have a clear direction with defined career paths after graduation.
Most colleges offer two types of degree: Career-oriented degree and General degree. Career-oriented degree focuses on preparing students for specific careers. For example, computer science or nursing gives students the technical skills and knowledge they need to work as a software developer or a nurse. General degree gives students an overview of many subjects for their knowledge enrichment. Students who study in the general degree areas do not build technical skills for a specific profession, but learn valuable knowledge in the ability to do many things creatively. If they choose general areas, they will take classes in a wide variety of subjects such as literature, history, arts, sociology, economics, political science, government, and philosophy to enrich their life. This foundation can help them to move into careers in laws, teaching, social workers, government offices, or scholarly research. Career-oriented fields of study require students to take courses in a specific area. These areas often have more course requirements than the general areas. For example, an engineering degree would require students to take courses in math, technology, physics and engineering etc... If they choose a career-oriented field, their career path is defined as they know what kind of job they can get and what industry they will work after graduation.
Even today, many college students only have a vague notion of what fields of study to choose. Many do not know their strengths and weaknesses or careers most suitable for them. According to a college study, many first year students go to college without direction; they cannot make decision because they are confused. Without clear goals and determination they often make wrong choices. With so many information available in schools, in the news, and on the internet, there is no excuse for not knowing. It is important for students to do research and work with school career counselors to make the right selection. It is their future and it is their choice.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
