Quintessential Careers conducts ongoing research into the job-search experience of new
college graduates as they enter "The Real World."
Go to the Real World Home Page.
Oh, the choices we make in college. Hindsight is 20-20, and our
surveyed new grads told us what they wish they had done differently
in their college programs. And below, see what new grads felt were
the informational and educational shortcomings of their college
programs in the section, What College Didn't Teach Me.
What I Wish I'd Done Differently in College
"[I wish I had taken] an economics course that deals with 'real money'
-- how to handle credit cards, car payments, etc. Dealing with APRs,
etc."
-- 2001 TV production grad
"I wish I had taken courses that would have furthered my hobbies
(genuine interests) into careers."
-- Anonymous
"I wish that I had taken a few more politics classes since I am in
the nation's capital."
-- Anne Johnson, senior corporate relations coordinator, U.S. Chamber
of Commerce, 2002 economics grad from the University of Dallas
"I wish my school had offered a course taught students how to balance
their finances."
-- Anonymous
"I wish I had taken classes in marketing, which would have given me a
background in sports marketing/public relations, rather than studying
political science."
-- Anonymous
"I wish I had taken an applied statistics course."
-- Anonymous
More of what new grads wish they'd done differently (from an earlier survey):
Taken more technical course that deal with databases.
More marketing courses.
More accounting and finance courses.
Taken marketing research.
Applied myself better.
Done better in freshman year.
Learned more about the real world.
Done internships.
Taken Spanish. Nearly all the jobs in South Florida are for bilingual people.
Learned about personal finance, investing, analyzing company
benefits, and the importance of certifications.
Computer information systems classes.
More courses in learning computer programs and Web-site development.
Learned not to invest in Internet companies.
What College Didn't Teach Me
"[College didn't teach me] how to compete with students of other universities."
-- 1999 grad
"[College didn't teach me] how unfair and arbitrary the job
application process is.
-- Anonymous
"[College didn't teach me] how to take the LSAT and GRE.
-- 2003 marketing grad
"[College didn't teach me] how political offices are and how to deal
with incompetence of others."
-- 1998 English grad
"[College didn't teach] us how to job-hunt effectively. That is what
I wish that they spend some time on."
-- 2003 electronic engineering technology grad
"They did NOT teach about different managerial styles or the politics
involved with some jobs. They did NOT teach how to handle oneself in
awkward situations, e.g., sexual harassment."
-- Anonymous
"[College didn't teach me] actual working skills, rather than
theories and book work. In hindsight, there are many classes and
programs that I wish I had taken to prepare, but back then I had no
idea what kind of job I wanted."
-- 2000 geography grad
"[College didn't teach me] that its more about experience, and a BA
degree is only the floor mat at the door of opportunity. Experience
actually opens the door."
-- Jo Smith, substitute instructor, Murray State College, 2001
psychology grad from the University of Oklahoma
"[College didn't teach me] the usefulness of networking. They told us
repeatedly, and some knew from the start how important it could be,
but until you are actually in the 'real world,' it is hard to
understand just how far networking can get you."
-- 2002 marketing and Japanese grad
"[College didn't teach me] how to get US citizenship!!!"
-- Mario Teixeira, director, SolutionFinders, 2002, MA grad in
organizational leadership from Regent University
"I think many students would benefit from a course on financial
planning. We have the one thing older professionals don't -- time.
Don't go blowing your new money on excessive numbers of 'toys;'
reward yourself, but prepare for your future and your future family."
-- 2002 English education grad
"A course in career planning should be required."
-- 2003 computer information systems grad
"It would have been nice to learn that relationship-building is the
key to a successful career. No exams, projects, or anything can teach
you that you need to meet more people and network with them."
-- Anonymous
"I was a marketing major, and the one thing most classes neglect to
mention is that the majority of graduates will end up working with
firms that have minuscule marketing budgets. Unfortunately, all my
marketing classes assumed that you are able to work with large
amounts of money, and it is never a concern."
-- Anonymous
"I know the basic marketing theories, but I really had to work at
figuring out how to market a company that had a really low marketing
budget."
-- 1999 marketing and 2000 MBA grad
Agree or disagree with what you've read here? Have something to add?
Help us with our on-going research on the job-hunting successes, failures, and stories
of recent college graduates by taking a few minutes and completing our
Real World Job-Search Advice Survey Form.
