Students Don't Do Optional

--Institutional accreditors have requirements that colleges must meet.

--Colleges have requirements for each student who wants to receive a diploma.

--College Departments have requirements for their majors that must be met in 

order to graduate.

--Could it be because students don’t do optional?

What do the majority of graduates want after they receive their diplomas—to get a full-time job and start life “post-school” (16+ years of school, so they are ready . . . but we know they aren’t “ready”), correct?  Yes, some will go to graduate school; however, what will they want after that?

A job.

Is a degree(s) alone sufficient?  Certainly not.

Relevant experience and key skills/qualities are critical* (gained both inside and outside the classroom—much learning takes place outside via employment, internships, volunteering, networking, career-preparation, etc.).  

*Employers’ requirements (except now, instead of a grade or diploma, students either do/don’t get an interview or they do/don’t get hired).

Guess what?  The vast majority of Career Services in higher education are optional for students.

So, isn’t higher education doing a true disservice to its graduates, and the employer sector (not to mention--parents, families, communities, and future generations) by not requiring students to utilize Career Services? 

Remember, students don’t do optional.  

Darren L. Noble, M.A.
Director, Crown College Career Services (E208) → Engage.  Envision.  Equip.
952.446.4352 | nobled@crown.edu
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dlnoble