Your university selection is among the largest early-in-life choices you’ll ever make. That’s why choosing the perfect university should be viewed as a career investment decision. While many consider selecting a university as simply a matter of getting educated, that’s not what’s going to happen when you graduate; you’re creating a foundation for your future career success and happiness.
Having helped both students and hiring managers, I’ve witnessed firsthand how selecting the right university can be a launching pad for your career, while selecting the wrong university can result in unnecessary debt and a challenging job search. This article will help you transition past rankings and reputation and help you make a strategic decision based on real-world results.
Step 1: Identify Your Career Goals (“Your North Star”)
In order to assess a university’s quality, you must know what you are looking for in terms of a career. Researching universities without knowing what type of career you wish to pursue is an exercise in futility. Prior to researching universities, invest time in exploring your career goals.
Informational Interviews: Interview people in careers that you would like to enter. Ask them about their daily work routine, career progression, and what they look for in a candidate.
Labor Market Trend Research: Utilize government labor statistics and industry research reports to understand which fields are expanding, what skill sets are needed in these fields, and the realistic salary ranges for entry-level positions in each field.
Pragmatic Openness: Don’t limit yourself to identifying a single dream career. Identify 2-3 potential career groups (e.g., “healthcare,” “problem-solving technology,” “creative media”) that may attract you to help guide your search.
Step 2: Review the Actual Data: Graduate Outcomes
While a university’s promotional materials will showcase examples of successful alumni, it is your responsibility to locate the actual data on the typical graduate.
Move Past General University Statistics: An institution may report a 95% employment rate, but that could include individuals employed in unrelated, low-wage positions. You are seeking information for the specific program you are interested in attending.
Metrics to Examine:
Job Placement Rate in Industry: What percentage of graduates are employed in a position that relates to their college degree six months post-graduation?
Median Entry-Level Salary: This metric represents how employers view the value of the graduates produced by the program.
Major Hiring Companies: Which organizations actively seek out talent from the program? If you see several employers that you would like to work for, that is a good sign that the program will be beneficial for you.
Sources of Information:
Departmental Reports: Many departments produce comprehensive outcome reports detailing the accomplishments of their graduates.
LinkedIn: Your best resource. Search for the university name and program name. Who are the recent graduates working for? What are their job titles? This is real-world, unfiltered data.
Step 3: Assess How Well the Program Integrates Careers
While the curriculum of the program is important, the connection between the classroom and the workplace is equally critical in preparing you for a successful career.
Work Integrated Learning: Does the program incorporate work experience through internships, cooperative programs, etc.? Work experience is a non-negotiable element of developing a career. Theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom is nothing unless it is applied.
Industry Partnerships: Are there partnerships between the department and local industries? Are there opportunities for students to attend networking functions and career fairs hosted by top companies? Access to these networks provides invaluable opportunities to meet potential employers.
Accreditation: There are certain fields (engineering, accounting, psychology, and architecture) where accreditation is required to obtain professional certification. Ensuring that the program you select is accredited is key.
Step 4: Develop a Clear Financial Analysis
The Investment: For you to know the overall value, you should evaluate the potential returns of your investment against the total cost.
Total Cost of Attendance: Calculate all costs associated with attendance, including tuition and fees, textbooks and supplies, room and board, and other living expenses for the duration of the program.
Understand Likely Earnings: Utilize graduate outcome data to establish an estimate of the earnings you will have at graduation.
Determine Debt Burden: Utilize a student loan calculator to establish how long it will take to repay the loans with estimated monthly payments and whether you can afford those payments based on your expected starting salary.
Explore Alternatives: Consider alternatives such as high-quality public or in-state options that will provide a better return on investment. Could a degree apprenticeship, in which you receive a salary while you complete your education, provide a pathway into your desired career?
Step 5: The “Career-Oriented” Campus Tour
During campus tours, focus on your future career.
Interview Questions to Ask the Faculty:
- “What types of employers hire directly from this program?”
- “Are there any resources available to assist me in securing an internship?”
- “How does the curriculum evolve to remain current with changing industry trends?”
Interview Questions to Ask Current Students:
- “How much assistance did you receive from the career services office?”
- “What was your experience in finding internships and/or a job?”
- “Does the program adequately prepare you for entering the workforce?”
Ultimately, your career success is dependent on your drive, skills, and network. However, by selecting a university that places a high priority on preparing students for careers, integrates real-world experiences into the curriculum, and has strong relationships with employers in your target industry, you are investing strategically in the foundational elements of your professional network and reputation.
About The Author
