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How can I be sure that college will help me get a profitable career or land internships?

There is a lot of talk that degrees don't mean as much as they used to. How can I guarantee a comfortable potential job/career? #career #college-major #career-path

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Ceil’s Answer

You can't be sure college will help you get a profitable career or land internships. College can't do a thing for you except provide a credential. And most employers will take the credential as proof that you have it in you to finish something, more than that you're prepared to do anything specific.


Career success is more about how well you know yourself - are you guessing right about the type of career you really want - than about your credentials. Career success is also more about how hard you're willing to work, and THAT is mostly a function of how much passion you feel for the work (not how much money you're making). So find a career that's interesting - even if you're idea of "interesting" as you start out is "has a paycheck" - at least find an industry you don't think is boring.



Ceil recommends the following next steps:

Figure out the industry you think is interesting. Are you fascinated by large machinery? Maybe aerospace or robotics manufacturing? Did your family benefit from a wonderful (or horrible) experience in the US healthcare system? Maybe a healthcare policy role, or hospital administration? Do you feel amazing when you get to solve complicated math problems? Maybe an entry level role with the Federal Reserve? There are so many options.
Once you've figured out an industry that can hold your interest, identify 3 - 5 organizations (preferably large ones, just for the purposes of this step) in that industry. Could be government, or research, or corporate, or nonprofit - doesn't matter - just identify 3 - 5 organizations.
Research those organizations - find out if you know anyone who knows anyone who works at one of them. Get up on LinkedIn. Check their websites. Look at the jobs they're posting - no, really look at them, read the qualifications in detail. Find out what people in those roles actually DO (remember that most job descriptions are just laundry lists - you have to talk to someone to get a real feel for the job)
Send a blind email (if you don't know anyone) or LinkedIn request to a person who might be able to help you at an interesting sounding firm - LinkedIn has a career advisor function you can use - they'll connect you to people who have already said they can help. Ask for a 30 minute informational interview.
Look at volunteer opportunities to get to know an organization better.
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Ken’s Answer

There are no guarantees in life. You asked a very important question. College might not be for everyone. Here are sites to visit that will help you to look at answers to your question:

Should You Go To College

https://medium.com/the-mission/high-school-is-over-should-you-go-to-college-b5b6db6f6712

<span style="color: black;">Value of College</span>

https://medium.com/the-mission/the-value-of-the-college-degree-is-crashing-heres-how-to-fix-it-cd7a1e116396

<span style="color: black;">My Biggest Regret: Going to College</span>

https://medium.com/the-mission/my-biggest-regret-in-life-going-to-college-ef2068f179cf
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. I think it is true that a college degree cannot guarantee you would have a profitable career. Some people can have a good fortune with graduating from the college, e.g. Bill Gates, etc. There are also people graduated from the college have difficulties to earn substantial salary. There are different reasons behind different people.
However, in the college, you can acquire the knowledge and train up your critical thinking. This is beneficial for your life time. On the other hand, for some professional careers (e.g. medical, legal, etc.), it requires the qualification for you to enter the industry.
Other than learning, you can also establish the network with a lot of people and professors. This will become your asset in the future.
In fact, you can enjoy the college life and participate many extra curricular activities. This is only available in the college years.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
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