Thursday, 4 April 2013

Why the course you choose shouldn’t matter.

In the past few days, I have written articles on the ten highest paying careers, and the ten most hidden careers for 2013 and beyond. While these articles point to careers that are likely to be in demand now and in the future, they still do not address the reality of our job market: That increasingly, many graduates are finding jobs in professions outside of the course they undertook in college. This is true especially for those that will be pursuing Arts courses. While not taking away the marketability of certain courses, you would do much better to be concerned with making yourself employable in a vast array of industries. So, instead of worrying about which course you have been selected, focus instead on these areas.

1. Academic Grades.
Without any work experience to speak of, and without proof of any skills, the only reliable measure of your employability are your academic grades and transcripts. Grades alone don’t mean that one is necessarily talented, but it does mean that they are hardworking, and can readily follow instructions. As a first time job
seeker, the importance of grades cannot be over emphasized. It is far much better to do a course that is considered less marketable and emerge among the top in your class, than do a popular course in demand and emerge among the last in your class. As you look for your second, third, and subsequent jobs, the importance of grades will diminish, and employers will increasingly rely on the experience and skills that you bring to the table.

2. Communication skills.
The ability to communicate well, both orally and in written English, cannot be gainsaid. A great communicator is usually a better leader, who is able to pass on their ideas and steer a team towards certain goals in the organization.

3. Leadership, Creativity, and innovation.
I know it sounds a clichĂ©, but really the pace of the workplace is changing so fast that only those with the ability to adapt to this change, and devise appropriate measures, will survive. A great innovator is also a great problem solver and a leader, who is able to spot market gaps and launch services and products that meet this gap. Your leadership skills will be shown by the student leadership and community service opportunities that you undertake within your campus.  

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