College and the Workforce Essay

Most people dream about the opportunity to be able to attend college. They dream about what their college campus is going to look like, who their roommate is going to be, what kind of parties they are going to go to, and what they are going to major in. However, when the time comes to begin the college process, there are many people who give up on their dream about going to college for reasons such as; they think they do not need it or because it is too expensive. Even though college is expensive, it prepares you for your future because many careers require a college education and college offers many different opportunities outside of the classroom. The main thing college prepares you for is your future. It helps you be able to choose a career path you want to pursue. Currently, many careers require some sort of higher education. This is why college is so important. Another reason college is important is because choosing a major is a big decision. Moore and Shulock (2011), along with California State University, believe that students will be more successful if they â€Å"require students to declare a major program of study after a certain amount of time or accumulation of credits, and assign students faculty advisors in their declared major programs† (p.18). Countless students change their majors over and over again before they find the right one for them. A student has the opportunity to discover various types of classes to get a feel for what might be the right career path for them before committing himself or herself to a major. However, if a student changes their major frequently throughout their college career, more time and money is added onto their schooling. They do not want to go out into the workforce and jump around from job to job, because they may be looked down upon. In the work environment, they may be  seen as unstable, unreliable, and unable to commit, even if that may not be the case. Another benefit of going to college is that they learn numerous things, even outside of the classroom. They learn how to make new friends, how to get along with people, learn how to socialize in the proper settings, and also learn how to relax, have fun, and enjoy themselves. These are important skills not only to have in their personal lives, but also to have in the workforce. They will always have to meet new people and learn to get along with all types of people in different environments, even if they may not be people they like or agree with. Students have to learn to set aside their personal differences so that they can show their professionalism. It is also important to know how to socialize properly. There are certain situations where using casual conversation in a professional setting could be appropriate, but there are other times they would want to maintain their professionalism. For example, they would not want to greet a new client by saying, â€Å"Hey! What’s up bro?† They need to learn how to differentiate the social situation from the people who are in that social situation. It is also important to relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself. This can be key in the workforce because they want to enjoy the work they are doing, but they do not want it to completely over power your life. They should be able to find the balance of discipline and fun in doing your job. Committing to College Once a person decides to commit to attending college, they need to come up with a personal plan that fits their style of learning. There are many different skills that help them become a master student. Some of these skills include; time-management, organization, communication, and having a positive attitude. Time-management is one of the most effective strategies a person can have. It is important because in order to be a successful student they need to stay on top of their schoolwork, and not procrastinate. Managing their time can also help them in the real world because they are learning to balance out everything that needs to get done. Organization is additionally another central aspect to being successful. They should keep their workspace neat and clean, whether it is a laptop, desk, or just a  notebook. Having a clean space can help a student be more successful. Communication is also a key factor when becoming a master student. It is important to communicate with their peers and their professors. They need to ask questions, speak up if they have concerns, and always take the initiative. It will show that they care about their grades and their success. Finally, it is important to have a positive attitude. It is very easy for things to go wrong, or not the way they want. What they need to remember is that they should keep a positive attitude. Someone who sees the glass as half full is going to enjoy life a lot more then the person who sees the glass as half empty. Cox (2012) said, â€Å"motivated people are happy people† (p.142). Once they set their mind to accomplish something, such as a college degree, they become a happier person because they have goals they are working toward. Conclusion College can be a fun, yet scary step in a person’s life. Even though it may be expensive, college offers the student a chance to explore who they are and who they want to be. College also offers them opportunities and skills that they are able to apply in the professional world. Once a person decides that college is the right decision for them, there are many skills that they are able to develop to help them become a master student. References Cox, B. (2012). College Students, Motivation, and Success. International Journal of Learning & Development. 2(3), 139-143. doi:10.5296/ijld.v2i3.1818. Moore, C., Shulock, N., & California State University, S. (2011). Sense of Direction: The Importance of Helping Community College Students Select and Enter a Program of Study. Institute For Higher Education Leadership & Policy. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=14&sid=81a06a850563430ba39210e85133be18%40sessionmgr112&hid=109&bdata=JnNpd GU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d##db=eric&AN=ED524216.