The above article, which first appeared on the Monster job
board, also ran in the Buffalo News
this past Sunday. It outlines which majors are "underemployed" when
they first graduate--working below their abilities, talents and pay-grade.
I was rather surprised to see as #1 at the end of the
article "business administration and management." Isn't that the
go-to vocational degree for aspiring corporate types?
Less surprising: #5, "liberal arts" majors and #3,
"drama and theater arts." These are much like the English degree.
They have great potential in the business world--they have the ability to
think, read, communicate, and continue learning. These are all qualities that
employers say they really want!
However, note that language under "liberal arts":
"Hiring managers might see a liberal arts grad as someone who can't make a
decision..."--and they may well "make a decision about your future
for you by hiring you as an administrative assistant, office manager or
paralegal." In other words--a secretary.
There's nothing wrong with being a secretary. I did it for a
number of years before jumping back into academia. But it tends to be a
dead-end in terms of climbing the career ladder. You are background noise as a
secretary, never given a chance to shine, be noticed, be promoted. If you make
yourself useful, you won't be promoted because you're too valuable right where
you are. If you don't make yourself
useful, you'll be let go--fired, downsized, whatever.
The take-away: before you're out there in the Real World clutching your new B.A.
and wondering what's next, take the time to explore specific career fields.
Decide what sectors look attractive (non-profits? advertising and social media?
publishing?) Prepare yourself for that field by networking, doing coursework or
extracurricular activity or internships, understanding the career ladder. If
you don't--you may be pigeonholed.
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