Understanding field requirements or crushing hopes and dreams
Students often do not understand the requirements necessary to enter certain fields or job areas; assignments that acquaint them when those requirements can be very "educational"in a variety of ways. For example, it is not uncommon to encounter students who want to enter highly competitive fields like law enforcement to have little or no understanding of how difficult those jobs are to land (frequently there are hundreds of applicants per position) or that becoming an FBI agent requires graduate education in law, accounting, languages, computer science or some other advanced degree that the FBI happens to need and be age 37 or younger. Students often have unrealistic expectations about their desired careers that could stand correcting, even if they don't want to know it.
Hi Heather - Yes, we owe it to our students to be sure that they are prepared for the "real world" that they will encounter as they enter their careers! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Although I believe that everything should be done to encourage the student to pursue their dreams, I also believe that we must adequately prepare them to enter the workforce. In my opinion, that includes giving them a realistic expectation of what the "real world" is like - even though it may be harsh at times.
Hi Ranita - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that we have to be encoraging but also realistic with our students. Not everyone can be successful in every field. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Have you ever showed up to someone's job and it was clear that, they possibly hated you and that job... It's nothing like showing up for a reality that doesn't make sense to you, so you just exist. Well that's fine and dandy until it's the nurse that takes care of your dad or the medical assistant that's administering your infants three month old immunization shots!!! Dreams may need to be crushed! The idea of wanting to be superman- does not make me superman.If we set realistic goals for our students maybe the retension rate wouldn't be so low and that set up for failure wouldn't be so obtainable.What is teaching without being teachable!
Very good points made here. Thank you.
What a fine line. Much of the stuent intention
upon not only learning but development of a
diciplined work ethic has to have a place in the home. Support for the students desire and passion has to come from a solid foundation. Realistic conversation should begin in the high school levels and at home to aid in the possible realization and attainment of goals.
Hi Brandon - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that we, as faculty must teach to the best of our ability. Most colleges have multiple layers in the process of educating students for the purpose of being ready for their chosen careers.In addition to our job as faculty, Admissions must be responible for finding appropriate programs for students and Career Services or Placement personnel should be helping students to practice interviewing and perfecting resumes. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I agree that students sometimes don't understand how hard it may be to get that dream job. However I don't think that fact should make us change our teaching. We should do and teach whatever we can so they will be better equipped to land that job.
HI Michelle - Exactly right! We don't need to dash our students' dreams, but what we can do, as you point out, is to help them think of creative ways to fulfill them. Best wishes - Susan
I agree. In one of my husband's classes, he has a guy in his late 50's who wants to be a Forrest Ranger. My husband says no one has the heart to tell him that they have a manditory retirement policy at age 62 so by the time he's done with school, his career opportunities are basically over.
We need to help our students have realistic expectations for their career goals without smashing their dreams. Sometimes they need a little more guidance to determine how to put their dream into practice in a practical way. :o)
Hi William- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that students sometimes have unrealistic career expectations. I really believe that Admissions Personnel should be trained to give realistic information so that students can make informed decisions. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
