SU students weigh whether college prepares them for work

In a recent survey of 100 SU students, 69% rated their preparedness for their first job at a four or a five on a five-point scale. More than half, 55%, also rated their confidence in landing a job within six months of graduation at a four or a five.

Most Syracuse University students surveyed by Orange Pulse feel ready to enter the workforce after they graduate, but many credited that preparation to experiences outside the classroom.

That confidence comes as most students report preparing for a traditional first step into professional life. Eighty-four percent of respondents said they plan to work full time at a company or corporation after they graduate.

Eighty-eight percent of the students surveyed said they learned the most about what their future workplace may look like from internships, student organizations or campus media. Only four students said they learned the most from their classes.

That difference stood out to Newhouse student Jonah Shelton.

“I think every freshman should have a major-related class in their first year that introduces them to the basics of their industry,” Shelton said. “That would help people get involved with student [organizations] and gain the knowledge they need for internships.”

For many students, internships and other professional experiences are already filling that role. Sixty-nine percent of the students surveyed said they’ve had an internship or work experience in the field they plan to enter. As a result, some, like sophomore Guy Franklin, questioned whether their coursework is actually helping with career preparation.

“Syracuse shouldn’t force us to do so many classes that have nothing to do with our major,” Franklin said. “There is zero reason for me to take classes like psychology or astronomy.”

Even among a student body that feels generally prepared to begin working, certain parts of post-college life remain significant concerns. Fifty-two percent of respondents said they feel unprepared to handle the financial basics that come with a job, like taxes, benefits and retirement plans. Fourty-seven percent said they feel unprepared for interviewing and salary negotiation.

Whitman senior Josh Keery has a solution.

“Syracuse should teach a class on post-college expectations,” Keery said. “Budgeting, taxes, rent, real-world scenarios that we just get thrown into.”

SU does offer assistance to students in landing post-graduation jobs through its Career Services Center, but students do not appear to be relying on that option. Sixty-seven percent of the students surveyed reported never having used the center. Among the students who have, only 27% said they found it helpful.

Taken together, the results leave a complicated reality. Syracuse students largely think they’ll be ready for their first jobs, but much of that confidence seems to come from experiences unrelated to their SU education. Instead, internships, student organizations and campus media may be giving students the best sneak peek into professional life.