University Business - April 2006 - (Page 38)

ADMISSIONS which their subject matter might match a profession similar to that of their parents college for such assistance because they did well. They should be kept apprised by the or close role models. Typically they apply not have a good experience in getting help- career and graduate placement office of to business, law, medical, or engineering ful counseling while an undergraduate, or employment patterns and programs that schools, often not having explored the par- because they believe their college no longer would suit some of their students. The fac- ticular field through in-depth interviewing is interested in helping them. ulty should also understand the key traits of active practitioners nor having sat in on We strongly encourage institutions to and skills that consistently result in success- graduate classes or talked with students. Fur- suggest that young graduates contact indi- ful lives and careers. thermore, it is very unlikely that they have vidual faculty or the career counseling of- Many of these attributes can be con- undertaken a formal self-assessment of their fice. What better way to serve the school's sciously included in the teaching of a sub- psychological makeup and aptitudes to de- future moral and financial supporters? ject. What are they? They include criti- termine what kinds of work environments One of the great ironies of the contem- cal thinking and analysis, clear verbal and will suit them best and what skills match up porary higher educational establishment is written communication skills, awareness well with their natural capabilities. that it extends noble efforts to make college of the multiple side of any proposition or available to all students irregardless of their Career counseling facilities concept, empathic awareness of the feelings socioeconomic background, while not rec- and needs of others, self-discipline mastered ognizing their need for guidance on course and staff should be able through rigorous assignments, rhetoric as a planning and career planning. to meet the needs of all skill in presenting a point of view, and the A majority of non-traditional students relationship of the subject under study to have little frame of reference regarding the students, not just those the larger community. multitude of occupations and careers avail- who initiate an office visit. The behavioral science faculty should able to them today, both because they do work directly with career counseling staff not have role models in their family back- and the dean's office to understand the Many of these young people have the grounds and/or because the world of work fundamentals of multiple intelligences, the financial support of their families to choose is changing at such a rapid pace. varieties of learning styles, and personal- their future direction without grave con- Years ago the then-president of Dart- ity assessment tools. We would argue for cern for the debt load they will assume mouth College, John Kemeny, who had making a mandatory undergraduate course upon graduation. They may also have an developed the early BASIC computer lan- covering these same areas. Visits from ap- extended family network of connections guage, told his undergrads that a majority propriate departmental experts and outside available to them. How many times do we of careers in which they would engage had speakers who represent a wide spectrum of hear students fall back in frustration and not yet been invented. He was, of course, careers should be built into these classes. fear on the time-worn adage that it's not perceptive in forecasting the future, but The career counseling staff and facilities what you know but whom you know? he couldn't have imagined fully the explo- should be large enough to meet the needs The other cadre is a population of non- sive developments technology and a global of all the institution's students, not just traditional students. By definition they most economy have created. If business leaders, those who initiate an office visit. The office often have few or no role models in their economic forecasters, futurists, and govern- must plan a larger role than that of booking family or community of college graduates ments are challenged to predict the next appointments for company and graduate who have succeeded in careers that might issues and developments throughout the recruiters to come to campus to interview appeal to them. They're under enormous economy and world scene, how can a 20- interested students. stress due to the mounting financial com- something student be expected to plan ra- The financial aid office should work in mitments they face. How can they consider tionally for the future? tandem with the career office to educate taking time to intern in nonpaying posi- Today's student readily recognizes the graduates on how to manage their educa- tions during and after college, or choosing intended sarcasm of Mark Twain's quip, tional loans in the least stressful way and a career for which they might be suited but All you need in this world is ignorance and how to manage their finances in general. which offers a diminutive salary structure? confidence, then success is sure. We can Of course, like all new initiatives, the se- We believe colleges and universities attest both to the level of ignorance about nior administration must understand the must take a concerted, proactive approach the breadth of careers potentially available responsibility of this function and be per- to supporting their students in planning to college graduates and to their lack of suaded to make funding available. They for their future life. There is a distinct role confidence in facing their future life. should see this assignment as a responsi- for the faculty to play in this arena in addi- bility and commitment to the institution's tion to those deans and counselors directly SUPPORT FOR ALL students and graduates, and in the larger responsible for advising undergraduates. One cadre of young adults presumes they context of service to society. Faculty should be aware of careers for will go on to graduate school to prepare for 38 | April 2006 universitybusiness.com Admssns.indd 38 3/24/06 11:35:44 AM http://www.universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - April 2006

Table of Contents
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Editor's Note
Stats Watch
People Watch
Sense of Place
On the Hill
Viewpoint
Future Shock
Financial Aid
Admissions
COVER STORY: Averting Housing Havoc
The Art of Reputation Building
Web Conferencing: Rich Media on the Desktop
All Rights Preserved
Admissions Messages vs. Admissions Realities
Internet Technology
What's New
Calendar of Events
Direct Connect
End Note

University Business - April 2006