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Did college help prepare you for your career ?
I'm a student going into college next year with an undecided career, and a criminal Justice major, and I want to know if college helped make a career choice.
11 answers
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Jim’s Answer
Hi Logan,
College will help boost your professional credibility. It's a place where you can earn academic validation for a specific industry and also build connections with other individuals and professionals. It will help you find internships where you can explore opportunities within your interest. With a college degree, you will be able to work and join the Management Team (Senior Level).
Good luck!
College will help boost your professional credibility. It's a place where you can earn academic validation for a specific industry and also build connections with other individuals and professionals. It will help you find internships where you can explore opportunities within your interest. With a college degree, you will be able to work and join the Management Team (Senior Level).
Good luck!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Logan !
Great question which should provide a variety of insight for you ! Although college didn't help me decide initially about my career choice, I knew I wanted to do it since I was six years old, college did however totally prepare me for my career. Keep in mind that with most careers, learning doesn't stop at college graduation, it continues in different ways all your life.
Some advice that I would give to you would be to not choose a major without a clear and precise career goal. I would suggest taking some general education required courses and a criminal justice course in your first semester if you are unsure. It's fine to be undecided. Take some classes at first to see where you really want to focus your attention and really put the effort in to establish a major by your sophomore year in college. I say this because college is one of the best ways to influence a decision about a career and you will need the courses and major that would fit your career goal. You can do this path by first going to a community college so it's not so expensive while you're figuring it out and then transfer to a four year university for your Bachelors Degree. I recommend that if you do not have a career chosen as yet, but you should always go with your instincts for what you'd like to do. Think of all the things you love to do, read about those careers and see if you can come up with one now or while you're in college. Before you choose a major, make 100% sure it's something that you want to stay with and will pursue after graduating from college. A Bachelors Degree takes four years and you'd want to not have to go beyond that due to not establishing some career goals first.
You can begin now exploring various ways to figure out which career you would like. I have left a link below for an article on the EHL Insights website which is very interesting and has suggestions on how to choose a career. Another great article appears on The Balance website for which I have left a link for you below. Coursera also has a good article to help you with career choice and I left that link for you below. Since you haven't decided on a career yet, these articles can possible assist and inspire you before you enroll in college.
So, yes, college did prepare me for a professional career once I graduated, but I was never undecided so I knew exactly the path I'd take. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best in all you do !
HOW TO CHOOSE A CAREER https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/questions-choosing-career
STEPS TO CHOOSING A CAREER https://www.thebalancemoney.com/steps-to-choosing-career-525506
NARROWING DOWN A CAREER CHOICE https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-choose-a-career
Great question which should provide a variety of insight for you ! Although college didn't help me decide initially about my career choice, I knew I wanted to do it since I was six years old, college did however totally prepare me for my career. Keep in mind that with most careers, learning doesn't stop at college graduation, it continues in different ways all your life.
Some advice that I would give to you would be to not choose a major without a clear and precise career goal. I would suggest taking some general education required courses and a criminal justice course in your first semester if you are unsure. It's fine to be undecided. Take some classes at first to see where you really want to focus your attention and really put the effort in to establish a major by your sophomore year in college. I say this because college is one of the best ways to influence a decision about a career and you will need the courses and major that would fit your career goal. You can do this path by first going to a community college so it's not so expensive while you're figuring it out and then transfer to a four year university for your Bachelors Degree. I recommend that if you do not have a career chosen as yet, but you should always go with your instincts for what you'd like to do. Think of all the things you love to do, read about those careers and see if you can come up with one now or while you're in college. Before you choose a major, make 100% sure it's something that you want to stay with and will pursue after graduating from college. A Bachelors Degree takes four years and you'd want to not have to go beyond that due to not establishing some career goals first.
You can begin now exploring various ways to figure out which career you would like. I have left a link below for an article on the EHL Insights website which is very interesting and has suggestions on how to choose a career. Another great article appears on The Balance website for which I have left a link for you below. Coursera also has a good article to help you with career choice and I left that link for you below. Since you haven't decided on a career yet, these articles can possible assist and inspire you before you enroll in college.
So, yes, college did prepare me for a professional career once I graduated, but I was never undecided so I knew exactly the path I'd take. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best in all you do !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Jasanpreet Kaur Bhatia
|| Startup Enthusiastic || Advisor || Knowledge Sharer || Writer
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Jasanpreet Kaur’s Answer
Hi Logan,
Yes, colleges can play a significant role in preparing students for their careers in several ways:
1. Academic Education: Colleges offer courses and programs that provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills relevant to their chosen field of study.
2. Hands-on Experience: Many colleges offer internships, co-op programs, or research opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience in their field and develop valuable skills and connections.
3. Networking: Colleges often provide opportunities for students to network with professionals, alumni, and industry experts through career fairs, workshops, guest lectures, and alumni events, which can lead to job opportunities and mentorship.
4. Career Services: Colleges typically have career services offices that offer resources and support to help students explore career options, develop job search strategies, prepare resumes and cover letters, practice interview skills, and connect with employers.
5. Personal Development: College experiences can help students develop important soft skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving, which are essential for success in any career.
While colleges can provide valuable resources and opportunities for career preparation, it's ultimately up to the individual student to take advantage of these resources, actively engage in their education, and pursue opportunities to gain experience and build skills that will help them succeed in their chosen career path.
I hope it helps!
Yes, colleges can play a significant role in preparing students for their careers in several ways:
1. Academic Education: Colleges offer courses and programs that provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills relevant to their chosen field of study.
2. Hands-on Experience: Many colleges offer internships, co-op programs, or research opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience in their field and develop valuable skills and connections.
3. Networking: Colleges often provide opportunities for students to network with professionals, alumni, and industry experts through career fairs, workshops, guest lectures, and alumni events, which can lead to job opportunities and mentorship.
4. Career Services: Colleges typically have career services offices that offer resources and support to help students explore career options, develop job search strategies, prepare resumes and cover letters, practice interview skills, and connect with employers.
5. Personal Development: College experiences can help students develop important soft skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving, which are essential for success in any career.
While colleges can provide valuable resources and opportunities for career preparation, it's ultimately up to the individual student to take advantage of these resources, actively engage in their education, and pursue opportunities to gain experience and build skills that will help them succeed in their chosen career path.
I hope it helps!
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
Hello Logan!
Absolutely! College is a place to help confirm your initially chosen path. It may also help confirm your initial college major isn't what you want. It is very common to switch majors during college. Think of college from this perspective -- it is a great place to 'try on' various topics via courses you take. You get a window into subject matters that you will react to -- do you find it fascinating? Do you find yourself uninterested? Or something in between. Think about at a higher level what interests you...do you like to help people? Do you like to help animals? Do you like to solve 'puzzles/problems'? And then explore the classes and talk to people in majors that support that higher level interest. In criminal justice, there are various types of work. Taking those criminal justice courses gives you deeper insight into various roles and helps prepare you to do them. Being in college surrounds you with people of similar interest and it gives you a very big network of people.
Another big benefit of college is that having a Bachelor's degree gets your resume looked at. Much hiring is initially done by systematically reading a resume to filter out those without degrees. Many companies and institutions only hire people with degrees. Having a degree opens doors for you. Having a degree results in an average 84% higher salary.
Good luck with whatever path you choose! Stay curious! College will likely be one of the best times of your life for so many reasons.
Absolutely! College is a place to help confirm your initially chosen path. It may also help confirm your initial college major isn't what you want. It is very common to switch majors during college. Think of college from this perspective -- it is a great place to 'try on' various topics via courses you take. You get a window into subject matters that you will react to -- do you find it fascinating? Do you find yourself uninterested? Or something in between. Think about at a higher level what interests you...do you like to help people? Do you like to help animals? Do you like to solve 'puzzles/problems'? And then explore the classes and talk to people in majors that support that higher level interest. In criminal justice, there are various types of work. Taking those criminal justice courses gives you deeper insight into various roles and helps prepare you to do them. Being in college surrounds you with people of similar interest and it gives you a very big network of people.
Another big benefit of college is that having a Bachelor's degree gets your resume looked at. Much hiring is initially done by systematically reading a resume to filter out those without degrees. Many companies and institutions only hire people with degrees. Having a degree opens doors for you. Having a degree results in an average 84% higher salary.
Good luck with whatever path you choose! Stay curious! College will likely be one of the best times of your life for so many reasons.
Updated
Jean Philippe’s Answer
Hey Logan, kudos to you for choosing to pursue higher education! College is a fantastic platform that can guide you towards your ideal career path. The school you choose and the resources they offer, such as career advisors, a variety of courses, and opportunities for internships or co-op positions, can be pivotal in shaping your future success.
If you're passionate about criminal justice, I'd recommend majoring in that field and enrolling in as many relevant courses as possible. However, if your current school doesn't provide an extensive range of criminal justice courses, don't worry. You can always consider transferring to another institution where your credits will be recognized.
Don't forget to have a chat with a school advisor about your career ambitions. They can provide valuable insights and guidance. Remember, every step you take is bringing you closer to your goals. Best of luck on this exciting journey.
If you're passionate about criminal justice, I'd recommend majoring in that field and enrolling in as many relevant courses as possible. However, if your current school doesn't provide an extensive range of criminal justice courses, don't worry. You can always consider transferring to another institution where your credits will be recognized.
Don't forget to have a chat with a school advisor about your career ambitions. They can provide valuable insights and guidance. Remember, every step you take is bringing you closer to your goals. Best of luck on this exciting journey.
Updated
Megan’s Answer
I think if I just went to class and did nothing else in college it would not have been as helpful in finding my career.
The career I ended up in particular is from my on-campus involvement and working on campus. It led to me find a career working in higher education as a career coach.
I changed my major several times. I did not know what I wanted to do. But I took exploring and finding a career very seriously. I worked part-time while I was in college as well as did 2 internships during college and 2 internships after I graduated. These experiences helped me figure out what I wanted to do.
College is helpful for more than just what you learn in the classroom. It gives you access to opportunities that you can only do as a student. You just have to make sure to take advantage of those opportunities.
It is not enough to have a degree- you need to have some experience to go with it.
How do you find those opportunities? Talk to your college's career services office when you get to college. Also, meet with your academic advisor who can also talk about career options with you.
I hope this helps!
The career I ended up in particular is from my on-campus involvement and working on campus. It led to me find a career working in higher education as a career coach.
I changed my major several times. I did not know what I wanted to do. But I took exploring and finding a career very seriously. I worked part-time while I was in college as well as did 2 internships during college and 2 internships after I graduated. These experiences helped me figure out what I wanted to do.
College is helpful for more than just what you learn in the classroom. It gives you access to opportunities that you can only do as a student. You just have to make sure to take advantage of those opportunities.
It is not enough to have a degree- you need to have some experience to go with it.
How do you find those opportunities? Talk to your college's career services office when you get to college. Also, meet with your academic advisor who can also talk about career options with you.
I hope this helps!
Updated
Kara’s Answer
From my experience college opened up my worldview and helped me understand different parts of our world, as well as the structure of our government and society. What that did for me was make me aware of the advantages and disadvantages I have in society and how to best use those to my advantage. It also helped me be prepared for my future after college.
As all of that happens and you are learning- you get to know yourself even more. That in turn helps you decide what you want to do with your time and career.
As all of that happens and you are learning- you get to know yourself even more. That in turn helps you decide what you want to do with your time and career.
Updated
a’s Answer
It can help prepare you for criminal justice if you decide because you will likely need it other carriers may or may not prepare you exactly but can help you decide what you like or don’t ask for advise from advisors and options and look At sites of companies and departments you may like to work in remember you need to find a career you would be happy in with the hours and lifestyle you want
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Logan,
College education is a powerful tool that equips students with a diverse set of skills and knowledge, applicable to a variety of industries and roles. This is especially beneficial for students who are still exploring their career options, as it allows them to delve into different areas of study, discovering their passions and deciding on the skills they wish to hone.
Furthermore, college provides a platform for gaining practical experience through internships, co-op programs, and research projects. These opportunities offer a glimpse into specific industries or roles, enabling students to make well-informed career decisions. For instance, a student majoring in criminal justice can gain valuable insights from an internship at a law enforcement agency or a criminology-focused research project.
In addition, college creates an environment conducive to networking. Interaction with professors, classmates, and industry professionals can broaden a student's professional network, thereby increasing the likelihood of job offers or recommendations post-graduation.
College education also paves the way for higher salaries and improved job prospects. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the median weekly earnings of workers with a bachelor's degree were 67% higher than those of workers with just a high school diploma. This suggests that college education can offer significant financial advantages throughout one's career.
Finally, college helps students cultivate essential soft skills like communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management. These skills not only make students more competitive in the job market but also contribute to their personal growth and development.
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2021). Employment status of the civilian population by educational attainment and sex - 2020 averages. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t03.htm
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (n.d.). Fast Facts: College Enrollment & Workforce Trends: Fall 2019 & Spring 2020 Enrollment Data & Spring 2021 Employment Data Update.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). (n.d.). Job Outlook Survey Summary Report Fall Recruiting Season Class of ‘XX Graduates Job Outlook Summary Report.
Take care,
JC.
College education is a powerful tool that equips students with a diverse set of skills and knowledge, applicable to a variety of industries and roles. This is especially beneficial for students who are still exploring their career options, as it allows them to delve into different areas of study, discovering their passions and deciding on the skills they wish to hone.
Furthermore, college provides a platform for gaining practical experience through internships, co-op programs, and research projects. These opportunities offer a glimpse into specific industries or roles, enabling students to make well-informed career decisions. For instance, a student majoring in criminal justice can gain valuable insights from an internship at a law enforcement agency or a criminology-focused research project.
In addition, college creates an environment conducive to networking. Interaction with professors, classmates, and industry professionals can broaden a student's professional network, thereby increasing the likelihood of job offers or recommendations post-graduation.
College education also paves the way for higher salaries and improved job prospects. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the median weekly earnings of workers with a bachelor's degree were 67% higher than those of workers with just a high school diploma. This suggests that college education can offer significant financial advantages throughout one's career.
Finally, college helps students cultivate essential soft skills like communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management. These skills not only make students more competitive in the job market but also contribute to their personal growth and development.
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2021). Employment status of the civilian population by educational attainment and sex - 2020 averages. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t03.htm
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (n.d.). Fast Facts: College Enrollment & Workforce Trends: Fall 2019 & Spring 2020 Enrollment Data & Spring 2021 Employment Data Update.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). (n.d.). Job Outlook Survey Summary Report Fall Recruiting Season Class of ‘XX Graduates Job Outlook Summary Report.
Take care,
JC.
Updated
Gary M.’s Answer
Absolutely college will help you. When you study CJ in a 2 or 4 year college you will study police, courts and corrections. You will also meet a lot of professionals as instructors and guest speakers.
Absolutely college will help you decide which path to follow in law enforcement. You can start at a community college and start taking police tests that requires 60 credit hours.
Gary M. recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
College was instrumental in shaping my career path. The most beneficial skill I acquired was the ability to present effectively. Regardless of your career choice, be it sales, marketing, science, finance, and so on, there will be moments where you need to present to a single individual or a larger group. The numerous opportunities to practice presentations in various college courses helped me build the confidence and presentation skills that are vital in nearly all professions.
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