October 15, 2007
"Major Indecision"
Are you worried about "what are going to do with your concentration?" Michigan Daily staff writers Daniel Strauss and Jessica Vosgerchian in their article "Major Indecision" in The Daily's Wednesday, October 10, 2007 "The Statement" say "Obscure concentrators rejoice! Whether you want to become an investment banker, a teacher, a journalist or even a Bollywood star, your University Degree can help take you there regardless of your major."
Click here to read about how recent UofM grads think about the connection between their careers and their concentrations.
Posted by skassner at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
September 10, 2007
Medical School and Concentrations (Majors)
Do you think you need to concentrate in a science to go to med school? Think again! Click here to read a Newsweek article that shows how medical schools view non-science concentrators.
Thanks to my advising colleague David Smith for passing along this article.
Posted by skassner at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
October 06, 2006
Advising Tip: LSA Concentrations vs. Professional Degrees
"Why can't I do a journalism (or a photography or a broadcasting or a marketing or…) concentration in LSA?"
This is a question that advisors get regularly from frustrated students who are surprised to learn that LSA doesn't offer any professional degrees. Furthermore, even the professional sounding LSA concentrations, for instance Screen Arts and Cultures (formerly Film and Video) or Economics, aren't professional programs. They help students develop the skills and acquire the knowledge to study film or the economy; they don't prepare them to become directors or financial analysts.
Underlying the students' frustration is the fear that they'll graduate without knowing how to do anything, that they will spend a great deal of time and a lot of money getting a degree that won't get them a job. The fact is that, while an LSA degree doesn't get a student ready to do any one thing, an LSA degree does help prepare a student to do almost anything.
LSA's goal is to give students a broad base of knowledge and to develop the analytical, communication, and collaborative skills that will serve them their entire lives and throughout their changing careers. Unlike the B-school, engineering, the Ed-school, etc., LSA doesn't prepare students for particular professions. Instead, LSA helps students develop the skills and acquire knowledge that will help them not only get their first jobs but will help them as their careers evolve over the next 40-50 years.
“Fine!” you might say. “But how is an LSA degree going to help me find a job when I graduate?”
The answer comes from the recruiters who come to campus. The vast majority say that they aren't looking for people with particular concentrations. Instead, they're looking for the individual who has done well academically and who can articulate what she/he has learned, whatever the concentration. Recruiters are also impressed when students demonstrate the ability to thrive in a variety of academic and cultural environments. Taking courses from a variety of disciplines and studying abroad are but two of many ways you can demonstrate your ability to succeed in changing circumstances. In addition to demonstrating academic success and adaptability, the students most attractive to employers seek career-related experiences while in school: the kind experiences you get by participating and by becoming a leader in a campus organization, by doing in community service projects, and by getting internships or jobs.
So you want to be a journalist, get into advertising, do human resources, etc.? Then write for the Daily or another campus publication, join a marketing club, or lead a community service project.
Talk to your LSA general advisor about your career interests relate to various concentrations, and go to the Career Center to find out about internship opportunities and to get career counseling. Also the Career Center web site has series of "Career Guides" that demonstrate how LSA concentration might translate to various careers. Don't, however, pick a concentration because you think it's a ticket to a particular job. Be confident that the knowledge and skills that you acquire in any LSA concentration will not only help you get your first job but will serve you throughout your personal professional life.
Posted by skassner at 11:32 AM | Comments (0)