In just a few weeks, I will finally reach my goal of becoming an attorney. There have been many long hours spent studying in libraries, lengthy discussions on somewhat abstract subjects and much more that will finally culminate when I walk across the stage in my cap and gown. As I reflect on my years in higher education and look forward toward the future, I have come to realize that I could have done a lot of things differently.
Every major varies drastically in its workload. No matter what time of day or night you drove by the School of Architecture at Mississippi State, you could see students working on projects. When my friends in computer engineering starting talking about their homework, they might as well have been speaking in tongues to me. Marketing and advertising majors always had the latest computer graphic programs and social media applications. Business and finance majors could accomplish almost anything in Microsoft Excel.
And then there are the political science, history, pre-law majors like me. We read a lot?
While I gained a wealth of knowledge in my undergrad endeavors and later in law school, the actual day-to-day aspects of the working world are a bit frightening. I certainly don’t want to completely discredit my major. Thanks to most of my classes, there are hardly any classic books I haven’t read, political theories I can’t discuss or 20-page papers I can’t string together with some research.
However, now that I am getting closer to starting a career, I realize that my classroom experience has lacked a certain practical component. I can honestly say my jobs, internships and even electives taken for the sole purpose of boosting my GPA have, on average, better prepared me for what lies ahead than a good portion of my core classes, especially for my undergrad degree.
With a dismal job market, especially in the legal field, there is a great need for graduates to be fully prepared after they walk off the stage at graduation. By making a few slight changes, majors that are disconnected to the working world can better serve their graduates. Classes can incorporate more practical assignments in their homework. Majors can require a variety of electives to diversify graduates’ skill sets. Students could be required to have hours of work experience either as a part-time job or an internships. Students also need to be more proactive in their education, taking advantage of their advisers when signing up for classes and structuring their schedules.
A diverse class schedule, work experience and practical knowledge all can contribute to a more well-rounded education and a more confident degree for the post-college future.
Anna Rush is a law student from Hattiesburg. She graduated from Mississippi State in 2011.
