There is a great blog by Alison Go at the U.S. News blog site about the impact of the failure of Lehmann Brothers on student jobs. Not only are college seniors and graduate students with offers being impacted, alumni from the elite Ivies like Yale are calling career centers for help.
What I found the most interesting is a quote in the blog that was taken from the Michigan Daily by Al Cotrone, director of career development at the Business School:
"With fewer positions available and more veteran bankers looking for jobs, every student who's interested in banking will need to take a real serious look at the career they want and the life they want and the risks they take with that choice," said Michigan's business school career development director. "
THE MAJOR YOU CHOOSE CAN IMPACT YOUR JOB PROSPECTS!
Why is this such a big deal to me? It's because over and over again I hear counselors tell students to pick majors in topics that interest them. I like to call it the "follow your bliss" mantra from the 1960's. Do something you love and success will follow.
I agree with a Yes, BUT! There is no guarantee that you will be able to find a JOB in what it is you like to do. You may LOVE and be very good at English Romance Literature but I don't know about very many jobs in that field.
So the answer is BALANCE, RESEARCH and FLEXIBILITY. It's okay to major in something you like but DO THE RESEARCH to understand the potential for jobs. Have a balanced approach about picking a major you like with an education that lets you get a job. And should you not be able to find a job in your major because the market has changed like it has just done, you need to be FLEXIBLE and learn new skills or maybe even look into a major or job you don't like as well!
College is a great place for an education. The problem is the real world will want to hire you to do something. The question is whether or not your major in which you have an education can get you a job that allows you to live the life you want!
