Читать книгу How to Succeed At University--International Edition - Danton O'Day - Страница 13

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.

—Thomas H. Huxley

Why should I go to university? Is it worth all the hassle to stay in school? Should I go out and get a well-paying job while I’m young instead of wasting three or four years of my life? If you have asked yourself any of these questions, consider the following facts—(1) there are jobs out there for university graduates and (2) the university experience will give you competence in a large number of areas essential for survival in the working world.

Did You Know?

Although the statistics vary by country, type of degree and field of study, in general the employment rate for those with a university degree is higher than for those who have only completed secondary education. Not only are university graduates more employable, they also tend to earn higher wages and experience faster growth in earnings during their careers. What is the secret? Why are university graduates more employable? It’s not for the obvious reason that they have specialized in a particular area, but instead it appears to be due to their overall acquisition of valuable, transferable skills.

Your employer can teach you the specific skills that a job requires but cannot give you the broad, general education that you get in university. Your employer cannot take the time, and often doesn’t have the resources, to teach you how to develop your curiosity, imagination or logical thinking. Many students do not realize that their whole curriculum will develop these critical mental skills. It is important for you to take a variety of classes to maximally develop these skills. You should not fall into the trap of taking only job-oriented classes to the exclusion of subjects you enjoy. While you carry out your different responsibilities in each class, you will be developing a large number of transferable skills that employers need and want, such as decision making, interacting with others, organizing your time effectively and analyzing, articulating, collecting and synthesizing data.

The world is changing rapidly. What is unusual today will often be commonplace tomorrow. People who possess a wide range of the above-mentioned transferable skills are generally more able to adapt to these changes than those who have specialized in certain functions that may soon become obsolete.

As a student, you learn a diversity of skills regardless of your degree focus. Every student ultimately learns to set priorities, to develop time management skills and how to listen and respond appropriately. These and other skills that are learned are fundamental to most occupations.

Many career paths are not obvious, and some occupations may require additional qualifications. Once again, remember to keep your options open—just because you plan to study history doesn’t mean you have to work in a museum or library! By the same token, don’t panic if you think you won’t be able to find a position that matches your qualifications exactly. No matter what degree you hold, you can build a career in many different industries. Take advantage of the skills you acquire at university, not just the technical knowledge. Table 1.1 provides a very small sample of study areas, skills developed and careers to illustrate the diversity of options available.

As a final note, universities are generally not job-training schools. If you want job training, go to an institution that focuses on vocational education (e.g., trades school). Many university students never find jobs in the area they studied, but the skills they learn help them succeed in all the jobs they undertake.