So, have you sat down to actually think about what you are going to do when you graduate? Other than party until the cows come home, I mean. Do you have big plans of moving to another state, city or country? How will you make money?
Are you going to be an actor, maybe an IT consultant, a teacher? Or, maybe you think your band will get its big break and you'll get signed to a major deal. First we must deal with where you will go.
If I told you a majority of you will not leave the Indiana, would you believe me? It ends up being that something like 63 percent of you will not move out of state, or if you do, you will move back. Many of that 63 percent do not leave Muncie. Isn't that a scary thought? You may be stuck in Muncie. There are those who do make it out.
Most Ball State grads who end up making it outside Indiana end up in Florida, Illinois and California. This only accounts for about 8 percent of graduates. So, if you want to be different, you might look into moving to Rhode Island or Wyoming, although who knows what type of career awaits you there?
It's time to talk about careers. So have you thought long and hard about what you want to be when you grow up? A policeman or fireman? Lord knows we need them, but that's not why you went to college, is it?
So, you've always dreamed of being an actor. You could be rich and famous, hanging out with some of Hollywood's hottest stars. Who hasn't had that dream? Just ask the thousands of people each month who move to Los Angeles with a dream of becoming the next big star -- some of whom are now moving back home. But you are different; you are going to wait tables or bartend to pay your bills while you wait for your big break. Contrary to popular belief, Ball State is not a bartending school. You'll need some hardcore experience to get a job as a bartender or waiter out here.
I know, you are going to get a degree in Information Technology and write your own ticket. This may have been the case a couple years ago, but companies have finally wised up and realized that almost every kid coming out of high school can set up and maintain a Local Area Network and Web site.
For example, my job description includes me promoting bands, establishing or maintaining relationships with artists and radio stations, as well as establishing and maintaining our LAN, Web presence and relationship with our Internet Service Provider. If there is a promotion question about my music genre, I answer it. If there is a question or problem with anything electronic in the office, I fix it or call someone in who can.
There are a few messages I am trying to drive into your head. The first is that you need to learn to multitask. Learn a variety of skills that will give you the edge above someone else. For example, if you are going into telecommunications, don't just focus on production. Learn production and sales and maybe throw a couple marketing classes in there. I'm not recommending you try to double-major. That's just insane. Just look into having two minors. It will increase your chances of finding a job, and it may be something an employer will require of you anyway.
The second message is that you should look at what you are going to college for. Is it an area everyone is trying get into, or is it an area in which you actually have a chance of finding a job?
The last message is: move out of Indiana. Why compete with fellow graduates for teaching and factory jobs?
Write to Aaron at rantinrex@hotmail.com
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