Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Oct. 24, 1978, edition 1 / Page 7
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Page seven/Carolina Journal/October 24, 1978 The first annual Career Awareness Week The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Oct. 30 — Nov. 3 Will a degree make a difference? By Terri Feimster “Will your degree make a difference?” A question burning the brain of every college students; also the theme of the first an nual Career Awareness Week. David Amante, faculty representative for the project, hopes we’ll see that “yes,” our degrees will make a difference if we use them and the university well. Amante and the other faculty working with Career Awareness Week feel there has been a general attack on the value of a college education. Also, “we had a feel ing our students did not think their college degree would make any difference in their lives,” Amante said. So they created this project in hopes of helping students see where the value lies and how to get the most from their years at UNCC. Prepare for employment early By Gary Nelson There is a misconception on campus the Placement Service will get a job for a student. According to Mildred English, director of the service, the office acts only as a liaison between the student and pro spective employer. Basically, the Placement Service, staff ed by English and two secretaries pro vides initial interview forms, arranges in terviews and does some of the “legwork” the student would have to do if entering the job market. “I can’t get a job for anyone,” English noted, “but I can point them in the right direction.” English added one of the most impor tant points to stress to students is to begin preparation for employment early in their college careers. If possible, try to obtain an internship or co-op (working and attending class on A frequent case against the college degree asserts the cost is not worth what you get; you’re spending four years worth of money when you could be working, earning it. Aside from the fact a degree usually raises your pay scale, material wealth is not the only reason for living. The money spent for education is not wasted if you obtain personal satisfaction from your degree. Amante believes the college person has a richer life. Higher education gives the student things others don’t get. He ac quires a fund of knowledge from widely diversified areas. He explores things he otherwise wouldn’t: what makes a poem beautiful, the intricacies of nature. The student learns to see wider possibilities and be creative with them. And he gets alternate semesters) or find parttime employment which is related to a field of interest. This approach has two distinct advan tages. First it offers the student the oppor tunity to gain invaluable practical ex perience he would not be able to achieve in the classroom and secondly it gives the student the opportunity to evaluate the chosen career to assure he would actually be interested in that type of work. She also recommended when doing projects for class requirements, the stu dent should relate those subjects to his particular field of interest. English noted'most students are not adequately prepared to enter the job market. Each September, the Placement Service offers a seminar for seniors who plan to enter the labor market in the spr ing, to assist them in mapping out their the chance to study people, their thoughts and ideas, and compare them to his own. A college education gives a person “vision” and leds to growth. The student “learns how to learn.” The sole purpose of getting a college degree is not to obtain a job. The ex perience the student acquires, the percep tion, and the psychological and emotional growth he undergoes are all reasons education is valuable. But we all hope for jobs in our desired fields, and hope our degrees will help. Career Awareness Week will focus on how to get the most from our education. A major does not guarantee a job. As Amante said, “people do not hire degrees, they hire people.” An applicant’s background, grade point career plans, however, sometimes it is too late to implement some of the recommen dations that could have helped the stu dent obtain employment of his choice. English encourages seniors to start in terviewing early in the year. Last year the Placement Service had to cancel inter viewing days for some 15 companies due to lack of student interest. When asked of her opinion of student dissatisfaction with the Placement Ser vice’s inability to obtain employment of the student’s choice, English admitted it was a problem, but added one of the main reasons is UNCC students are reluctant to take a position requiring relocation either immediately or in the future. As English stated, many of the major corporations want individuals who will be mobile — geographically flexible. “Every (continued on page 10) average, extracurricular activities and out side interests are taken into account. Another factor considered is the way the student has used parttime and summer jobs to explore careers. Early planning adds a definite advantage. Speakers during Career Awareness Week will expound on all aspects of the college degree; how to diversify and utilize it to the fullest. But focus will also lean towards defending the cause for a degree and proving it does indeed make a dif ference. Check opportunities then choose major By Luann Whitley The Career Awareness Committee devised the first annual “Career Awareness Week” in order to provide students with the opportunity to explore various options in career alternatives. The committee decided on the week of Oct. 30 through Nov. 3 because it falls immediately before registration for spring semester 1979. This will give students a chance to check out certain career re quirements before registering for classes. Leonard Goodman, committee chairperson and career development coordinator, said students often choose a major area of study before they ever determine the career opportunities. “Students should become more aware of choosing a career and begin lifespan planning before they suddenly find themselves college graduates,” Goodman said. All members of the Career Awareness Committee are university employees.
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Oct. 24, 1978, edition 1
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