What Nobody Tells You Before You go to University
It's almost that time of year when a new batch of students will be starting university, and I'm reflecting on my own experience.
In late 2005 and early 2006, I was tasked with picking a school to attend in the Fall. It terrified me. I had always been a relatively good student, but I had no real direction. I listened to advice from teachers and the adults around me, but I was so uncertain about everything. I felt a huge weight on my shoulders because I was convinced that my entire future hinged on this decision. I didn't even know what I liked- or how my interests and strengths could be translated into a career goal.
First of all, let me just say that I think that telling a teenager to pick their career path is ridiculous. Not only is that a HUGE decision to make for anybody, let alone somebody so inexperienced, but it's also an impossible task. The degree you choose might not be the degree you get upon graduation- many people (like me) switch programs in between, and very few people end up with the jobs/lives they initially planned for. That's not to say these people have failed- it's just important to remember that life doesn't typically go to plan. You will change, circumstances will change, and your goals will change. This is natural. It's silly to give kids the impression that the decision they make in the 11th or 12th grade will be their final decision. That's just going to give them a lot of unnecessary stress.
And that's exactly what I had- unnecessary stress. I was periodically in a state of panic throughout high school and early university, because I had it in my head that every milestone- every graduation, every course, every exam- was going to affect me in the future. I was convinced that failure was an absolute. (Just writing this now makes me a little sad for my former self).
So I listened to what teachers, college reps and adults told me. I listened to my friends who seemed more confident than I was. I was told that there were two main options: arts and sciences. Arts programs were described as good options if you wanted to go into teaching (I didn't) and science degrees were for smart students who worked hard and wanted to get a good job. Since I had always done quite well at school, and I had taken the science and math courses I needed, I decided to make the (allegedly) smart choice- I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program at UNB Fredericton.
I don't want anybody to think I regret choosing UNB. I still believe that I picked one of the best schools in one of the best towns in the maritimes. And I truly enjoyed my experience. I made friends, I got involved with committees, I had various on-campus jobs. I had FUN. That is- after I changed degree programs. It didn't take long before I realized that I was not fit for the science program. I wasn't getting any joy out of the work and I felt out of place, so I switched to the Bachelor of Arts program and decided to major in Sociology. It was a good fit for me- I graduated with honours and I was proud of my achievements.
But I didn't have any job prospects when I left school.
I am not blaming anybody else for the choices I am making.
I just wish I had some more perspective back then when I was making them. I realize now that the teachers who advised me had all taken the same course at university. Most of them had even gone to the same university in a nearby city. My friends didn't have any more perspective than I did, so their advice had limited validity, too. We were all living under the same myth- that you can't get a decent job unless you have a university degree.
Now (finally), here is the one thing I wish someone had told me before I went to university:
That's it.
Call me cynical if you want. I can take it. It won't change my mind.
Universities want your attendance. They want your tuition money and they want high enrollment. Their funding/ housing/ course offerings/ attraction to prospective students and professors-- all of that hinges on how many students enroll. But they are selling you an experience as well as an education. Lots of students go to school because they don't want to miss out on the fun. They don't want to stay home while all of their friends go off to school.
A university degree can be an excellent way to gain skills for future work, but not every degree program is designed to give you marketable skills. Somebody with a general arts or science degree might find at they have to get additional training to be eligible for many entry-level jobs.
But that's not the only reason I believe that universities don't care whether you get a job after graduating. The first thing that tipped me off was an encounter I had with a former professor. He was the first Sociology prof I had, and he became my unofficial adviser for the remainder of my time at UNB. One day when I was feeling a little uncertain about my future plans, I went to talk to him and ask his advice. He took out a copy of the most recent labour market projection reports, and showed them to me. He explained how important it was to pay attention to labour market trends when you're choosing a career path. He also told me that I couldn't tell anyone else at the university that he'd given me this information, or he would lose his job.
He would lose his job. For telling me what jobs are likely to be available.
Because if everybody realized what job market demands were, very few people would attend a traditional university. (Or those who attend would abandon many typical courses for a select few).
When I finished university and came home, I learned pretty quickly that I didn't have what employers were searching for. I had lots of work experience in customer service and food service. I had a resume full of volunteer experience and a degree with honours. But none of that translated into valuable skills as far as employers were concerned.
So I enrolled in my local NSCC campus. I took Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. It is hands-down the best school-related decision I have made in my life. Not only did it enable me to get a job in my field (right after graduation), but I was surrounded by teachers and support staff who cared whether you found success. NSCC (and similar colleges) market their programs based on the high percentage of graduates who find work in their preferred fields.
No, this isn't a commercial for NSCC. Although I was once in a commercial for NSCC. And if they asked, I would do it again, 100 times over, because in my mind NSCC is seriously underrated.
So, just to clarify: I do not blame others for my own choices. I do not feel that I have failed. I do not have regrets, and I do not think that university is a bad choice. I just don't think it should be seen as the best choice for everyone. Not going to university doesn't guarantee that you'll be a failure, just like going to university doesn't guarantee that you'll be a success.
I think this rant is important-- I wish someone had explained the nature of post-secondary schools when I was 18. I might not have listened, but at least I would have been informed.
In late 2005 and early 2006, I was tasked with picking a school to attend in the Fall. It terrified me. I had always been a relatively good student, but I had no real direction. I listened to advice from teachers and the adults around me, but I was so uncertain about everything. I felt a huge weight on my shoulders because I was convinced that my entire future hinged on this decision. I didn't even know what I liked- or how my interests and strengths could be translated into a career goal.
First of all, let me just say that I think that telling a teenager to pick their career path is ridiculous. Not only is that a HUGE decision to make for anybody, let alone somebody so inexperienced, but it's also an impossible task. The degree you choose might not be the degree you get upon graduation- many people (like me) switch programs in between, and very few people end up with the jobs/lives they initially planned for. That's not to say these people have failed- it's just important to remember that life doesn't typically go to plan. You will change, circumstances will change, and your goals will change. This is natural. It's silly to give kids the impression that the decision they make in the 11th or 12th grade will be their final decision. That's just going to give them a lot of unnecessary stress.
And that's exactly what I had- unnecessary stress. I was periodically in a state of panic throughout high school and early university, because I had it in my head that every milestone- every graduation, every course, every exam- was going to affect me in the future. I was convinced that failure was an absolute. (Just writing this now makes me a little sad for my former self).
So I listened to what teachers, college reps and adults told me. I listened to my friends who seemed more confident than I was. I was told that there were two main options: arts and sciences. Arts programs were described as good options if you wanted to go into teaching (I didn't) and science degrees were for smart students who worked hard and wanted to get a good job. Since I had always done quite well at school, and I had taken the science and math courses I needed, I decided to make the (allegedly) smart choice- I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program at UNB Fredericton.
I don't want anybody to think I regret choosing UNB. I still believe that I picked one of the best schools in one of the best towns in the maritimes. And I truly enjoyed my experience. I made friends, I got involved with committees, I had various on-campus jobs. I had FUN. That is- after I changed degree programs. It didn't take long before I realized that I was not fit for the science program. I wasn't getting any joy out of the work and I felt out of place, so I switched to the Bachelor of Arts program and decided to major in Sociology. It was a good fit for me- I graduated with honours and I was proud of my achievements.
But I didn't have any job prospects when I left school.
I am not blaming anybody else for the choices I am making.
I just wish I had some more perspective back then when I was making them. I realize now that the teachers who advised me had all taken the same course at university. Most of them had even gone to the same university in a nearby city. My friends didn't have any more perspective than I did, so their advice had limited validity, too. We were all living under the same myth- that you can't get a decent job unless you have a university degree.
Now (finally), here is the one thing I wish someone had told me before I went to university:
Universities don't care if you get a job.
That's it.
Call me cynical if you want. I can take it. It won't change my mind.
Universities want your attendance. They want your tuition money and they want high enrollment. Their funding/ housing/ course offerings/ attraction to prospective students and professors-- all of that hinges on how many students enroll. But they are selling you an experience as well as an education. Lots of students go to school because they don't want to miss out on the fun. They don't want to stay home while all of their friends go off to school.
A university degree can be an excellent way to gain skills for future work, but not every degree program is designed to give you marketable skills. Somebody with a general arts or science degree might find at they have to get additional training to be eligible for many entry-level jobs.
But that's not the only reason I believe that universities don't care whether you get a job after graduating. The first thing that tipped me off was an encounter I had with a former professor. He was the first Sociology prof I had, and he became my unofficial adviser for the remainder of my time at UNB. One day when I was feeling a little uncertain about my future plans, I went to talk to him and ask his advice. He took out a copy of the most recent labour market projection reports, and showed them to me. He explained how important it was to pay attention to labour market trends when you're choosing a career path. He also told me that I couldn't tell anyone else at the university that he'd given me this information, or he would lose his job.
He would lose his job. For telling me what jobs are likely to be available.
Because if everybody realized what job market demands were, very few people would attend a traditional university. (Or those who attend would abandon many typical courses for a select few).
When I finished university and came home, I learned pretty quickly that I didn't have what employers were searching for. I had lots of work experience in customer service and food service. I had a resume full of volunteer experience and a degree with honours. But none of that translated into valuable skills as far as employers were concerned.
No, this isn't a commercial for NSCC. Although I was once in a commercial for NSCC. And if they asked, I would do it again, 100 times over, because in my mind NSCC is seriously underrated.
So, just to clarify: I do not blame others for my own choices. I do not feel that I have failed. I do not have regrets, and I do not think that university is a bad choice. I just don't think it should be seen as the best choice for everyone. Not going to university doesn't guarantee that you'll be a failure, just like going to university doesn't guarantee that you'll be a success.
I think this rant is important-- I wish someone had explained the nature of post-secondary schools when I was 18. I might not have listened, but at least I would have been informed.
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