An increased number of students took their seats in classes across the state last fall as Oregon universities saw yet another increase in enrollment. These students may have ambitious intentions, all eager to earn a rather significant piece of paper, but often they aren’t utilizing all of the available resources that could prepare them to successfully enter the workforce.
Enrollment growth has been Oregon’s trend over the past few years. In fact, since 2008, Oregon’s universities have seen enrollment increase by over 5 percent each year—during the five years before this, enrollment rates never rose above 1.9 percent. As the economy suffered and unemployment rates skyrocketed, college seemed like a logical place to prepare for the next stage in life, and also to provide a means to better insulate oneself from an unstable job market.
As reported in the Vanguard [“Grad rates are up,” Jan. 11], not only has enrollment been increasing—taking into consideration the number of transfer and part-time students at Portland State—but the university also boasts a rising graduation rate, stemming from our diverse campus. Our university is known for attracting many who don’t fit the traditional student mold. PSU is a bastion for those who manage school around a full-time job, are returning from an educational hiatus, are transitioning directly from high school, and more recently, those escaping the harsh conditions of a suffering economy.
But what will happen when these future graduates re-enter the job market, with degrees or additional credentials competing against each other?
PSU’s own career center promotes that employers seek more than a mere degree—they also desire skills and experience in a job candidate. And sadly, many students fail to utilize the benefits available to them while at a university, beyond getting an education. College is more than a series of classes leading up to a piece of paper—it offers opportunities to gain experience, skills and connections via a number of avenues.
Student groups are just one such avenue; PSU has hundreds of them. Take Portland State Professional Sound, for example. Students attracted to concert production, sound engineering and other areas of the professional audio field can become involved and gain experience that their classes cannot provide—experience they may want to use in their careers.
The same can be said for our student government—an organization where students engage in a political process, work with the community and forge connections. ASPSU welcomes interns and committee members, and almost always has a position open in its Student Senate, Judicial Board and Executive Branch. Right now it’s recruiting students to sit on its annual Elections Board, which oversees the student government elections in the spring, and it’s even a paid position!
PSU is filled with a great number of opportunities from the Friends of Graphic Design to the Fermentation Society—that’s right, PSU even has a group for beer lovers.
Volunteering is another avenue for personal development that students can take. Job seekers can overcome the catch-22 of not being able to find a job in a particular field due to lack of experience through the ability to list relevant volunteer experience on their résumés.
Connections are also a valuable resource to pool from. Teachers, managers and other influential figures are sources of recommendation letters and references, and some may even have a connection or two of their own that can prove beneficial. Sure, it’s not entirely about who you know—but it can help.
Think of your time in college as a jigsaw puzzle—many pieces adding up to a bigger picture. One piece is your education and degree. Others are valuable experiences and the people you meet and connect with. These pieces form a more complete graduate.
Students should not neglect the opportunities that surround them—especially the opportunities that reach beyond their degrees.
Virginia Vickery Editor-in-Chief Corie Charnley News Editor
Nicholas Kula Arts & Culture Editor Richard Oxley Opinion Editor
Robert Britt Sports Editor Kristin Pugmire Copy Chief