Alright SDMB, here is your chance to help mold the
life of an undecided undergraduate. Think back to
your past college days (or just make some up) and
focus of what you would have done differently, if
anything at all.
My story is this: I’m 3 years into a five year school
that encourages 6 months of class/6 months of work
on a continuos cycle. I can do the following:
graduate next year early and join the working world
travel the world and work abroad for the co-ops (i.e. 6months of work)
graduate early/on time and pursue a masters
Some background info is that I’m a finance (please avoid the urge
to include any references to ‘scum of the earth’) major and I
see myself starting my own company one day.
Please post away with any comments, anecdotes, memoirs, advice, thrashings, words of wisdom, constructive criticisms, etc.
Never miss a good party or a date with a hot member of the opposite sex.
I like your #2. If you want a master’s (MBA) it’s almost unheard of these days to get it w/o some good work experience first. Travel is great, especially when you’re young. It’s fun, a good time to get experience, and might influence things you do later in life. Don’t miss out on that opportunity.
Stay in touch with the the people who are important in your life. A lost friend can rarely be recovered.
I got my PhD in Engineering on a fairly fast track. The main thing I regret about college is not taking advantage of electives when I had the chance. I should have taken the opportunity to study more art, literature, pure science, etc. while I was there. I can certainly do that on my own now, but I feel like I squandered a great resource in order to graduate a semester or two early.
I’d also recommend travelling either as part of your co-op program or immediately after graduation. It’s certainly not true across the board, but it’s likely to be a while before you have the free time and lack of obligation that you have in college.
Oh, and always post in the appropriate forum to increase your karma.
I wouldn’t worry about that. Anyone who thinks finance=scum of the Earth is probably a stupid hippy with a philosophy degree in for a nice future of living in his parents basement.
I am going to recommend going abroad if you can.
The job market still sucks so you mind as well be overseas instead of sitting around doing nothing.
Work abroad can make your resume stand out
Most grad schools require a couple years of work experience
There is nothing special about the “real world” that is worth rushing college. Unless you like boring-ass work, cubicles and jerky bosses.
Good for you picking one of the few undergraduates that has a future. Anyone who tells you you’re scum of the earth is a little narrow minded in my opinion. After all, for all they know, you might be the finance guy running a non-profit, orphanage, or other liberal-friendly endevour. That said, I got through school in 4 years, worked for 5 at a pharmaceutical company, then got an MBA and now work in defense and think I have a pretty good life.
I don’t feel I’ve squandered any great educational opportunity by not lengthening the degree process and while I love to travel and I agree it is something great to have on your resume, it isn’t free, so only do it if your bank account can take that kind of beating.
I’d say get out of school as fast as you can, blast out your resume to a bunch of places, and then plan a short trip to somewhere you’ve always wanted to go while you wait for a response, or lack thereof. In these hard times, you best career bet is something recession proof, like healthcare. My own line of work is very successful right now courtesy of terrorism and cleaning up the mess in Iraq, but even I know it will pass with the election of a Democrat to office, who will slash defense budgets, so I don’t recommend it for the long term.
I like both 2 and 3. To throw my own two cents in, I just graduated from a school that majorly pushes its co-op program. However, for me, all this would have done was lengthen an already-long five year program and I would have been broke longer. Since money is an issue for me, I elected to get straight through school, only breaking for summer internships. For me, co-op would have been a waste of time. However, I am not a finance major, so things may be different for you.
Honestly, I think you’d be a fool to do anything but #2. If you’re going into finance, (and especially if you’re starting a business) this will be your last chance for a long, long time to travel for an extended period.