Disclaimer: the following is not satire.
I advise you jump behind the nearest sturdy object of significant size.
I’ve pulled the pins out of two truth grenades and I’m lobbing them in your ?direction.
Here they come.
First, your majors, minors or certificates are not as ?important as you think they are.
Second, what you are ?doing outside the classroom might very well be more ?important than what you are doing in it.
Of course, there are ?exceptions.
College has taught me the only absolute is that there are no absolutes.
However, just because there are exceptions, don’t think I’m giving you permission to dismiss what I’m ?saying and return to Trivia Crack.
Say, like most of us, you’re trying to find a job after ?graduating.
Good for you, you little mainstreamer.
I’m guessing what you selected for your major is closely related to what you are ?interested in doing ?professionally.
Smart move.
But did you know there is a chance other people will get hired in your desired field that did not study something even remotely related to your ?studies?
Sorry, that was cruel of me.
You were still pulling shrapnel out of your face from the previous two truth ?grenades while I rolled that other one your way all ?sneaky-like.
Most employers in your field are going to be looking for any generic bachelor’s ?degree or master’s degree, first and foremost.
If the discipline aligns with the industry, cool.
Guess what?
That is the case with most of the applicants.
Employers are looking for what stands out.
That piece of paper IU gives to graduates at the end of every semester tells ?employers that you know how to think a certain way.
That piece of paper may say you are knowledgeable about business, whatever that means.
Your employer just hopes it means you aren’t a moron who is going to waste time, take up resources and make them regret hiring you.
This is where your ?extracurricular involvement comes in.
Your work, internships and participation in clubs and other organizations will tell your employer if you’re ?actually worthwhile.
Plus, extracurricular activities are where a lot more hands-on experience is.
You can hone skills and see through practice if this is the job for which you want to sacrifice your time.
No, this does not necessarily mean you’re wasting your time on your major, going to class and doing your school work.
IU has fantastic programs with great resources and ?faculty.
However, IU can also give you access to the stuff ?outside the classroom that may actually give you that extra push you need in the job hunt. You’re wasting opportunities by not putting them to good use.
There’s a reason why there isn’t a section of your ?résumé dedicated to the most ?important classes you took.
It makes room for you to talk about what you did ?outside of the classroom.
gmleeds@umail.iu.edu
