Post-College
Considerations
Now

Most people view college as preparation for a career.

If getting a good job after finishing college is your aim, you should ask questions aligned with this goal prior to even starting.

Simply asking what percentage of graduates are gainfully employed is not enough!

This percentage metric "is one of the most gamed numbers in all of higher education" according to the president of St. Olaf College.

Here are some suggestions to help you probe deeper and rise above the marketing & campus tour rhetoric:

Visit the career counseling office.
Ask about the frequency of on-campus recruiting events.
Do they offer pop-in recruiting clinics or are appointments required?
Does the school guarantee internships?
What percentage of students intern?
Do they offer subsidies/stipends for students who can't afford to intern for free?

Consider geography when weighing college choices.
Campuses close to large cities allow for corporate lunches, vocational exploration and robust recruitment.
More remote campuses likely offer less advantages.
You're not just paying for tuition, but also for access.

Research majors.
Read Choosing College Majors and ask the career counseling office if they have any research regarding undergraduate employment & education outcomes. If the school is charging higher tuition than a state university, they should be willing to share career data with prospective parents and students.


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