Everyone would say the problem is that I don’t have children of my own, but it is sheer concern that causes me to try to give my sister-in-law advice.
My dear sister-in-law, like many people, are starting out at university and unsure of a direction. The only thing she is sure of is that she doesn’t want to have anything to do with computers. Obviously, she can work with them, and is not computer illiterate, but she is not interest in programming of any kind.
She wants a more ’’artsy’’ career, something where she gets to spread her creative wings. (And no, multi-media graphics and design are also out!) The problem is, how does one get into such careers? The joke in my day at university was ’’What is the expression most often used by a fully employed liberal arts major? Do you want fries with that?’’
The main problem I have with liberal arts majors is the way they drift into things, because they can’t find anything else to do, and very often end up in teaching. Teaching is not a last-ditch alternative, teaching is a career in its own right. Can you imagine if people became doctors rather than the face the unemployment line? Teaching requires so many skills and patience on top of it all, so it hardly seems a ’’rainy day’’ option.
The best advice I can give on getting into the small but open liberal arts career field is to get serious about right away. Firstly, get involved in all the arts clubs at college, trying to get into leadership/editorial positions eventually.
Next, don’t waste your summers. Anyone can get a job flipping burgers - you need something that will help you along. Internships are not only designed fro you to get experience, but to really get involved in the field and see if that is what you truly want to get into. The University careers office puts up postings for internships, summer jobs and part time work. If companies are going to universities, they want to find future employees.
Lastly, this is just good advice all around: go abroad. Experience a bit of the world, see what it’s like elsewhere. A broad world-view helps you to keep your options open. You have better chances with a possible employer if you are not just experienced in the career field, but in life in general. Being ’’well-rounded’’ is not everything, but it certainly gives you an edge.
Well, I’ve spoken my mind. The good thing is, my sister-in-law is off to the careers office tomorrow: every fantastic journey begins with a simple step!