What a Northwestern grad would do differently

Bala
Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:12:34 +0000

OneMom

I have to agree with multiple posters that the problem with knowbefore’s comments are his attempt to generalize from his particular circumstances, not his warning to HS’ers to think carefully about the big bad world out there when selecting a college and a major program. I’d second the warning.

But this is an unusual, tough time to enter the workforce. It is naive to believe that there is some magical formula, some specific pragmatic preparation and skill set obtained in college, that will make one unresistingly marketable. It is also dangerous to suggest to those same rising collegians that some “trade” based preparation is the answer. Where would one stand in 4 years if, as was - in fact - the very case with knowbefore, one’s idea of what one wants changes after pursuing a very narrow course of study/preparation?

That knowbefore graduated from Northwestern and landed a job in a competitive, lucrative field like consulting only to ultimately decide it was not for him is unfortunate. But I find it hard to take him seriously when his advice to others is to think twice not only about going to an academically elite college, but possibly college altogether. He can’t possibly understand the difficulty faced by people looking for work today under those limiting circumstances. So yes, the comments by this employed consultant working side by side with Northwestern and U Chicago grads does sound a lot like whining and suggest a problem with reality testing.

Premeds and prelaws along with budding engineers, teachers, thesbians, journalists, scientists, etc., etc. would be hard pressed to find a better place to academically prepare for a career. I know these are not career interests of the OP, but certainly are for a majority of students at NU and he should be faulted for not acknowledging them in generalizing his circumstances to all comers. The vast majority of grads from not only Northwestern but most elite schools leave after four years thankful for the great experiences they’ve had and the leg up offered in the job market by their degree from a university of recognized excellence.