Duke Expert Offers Advice to College-Bound Seniors on Selecting a School

In a few weeks, students around the country will be hearing from universities inviting them to matriculate in the fall. As students interested in a liberal arts education evaluate which institution best meets their needs, they should not focus too much on whether the schools will professionally prepare them for a career, says a Duke University careers expert.

 "When you enter college, you're not expected to know your career direction," said Sheila Curran, executive director of Duke's Career Center. "To determine a good fit with the institutions that have offered admission, students should evaluate the quality of education, the social environment and - -- increasingly -- the career center's ability to link education with career opportunity.

"When students jump to the end result -- a high-paying, high-prestige job -- they often end up paying insufficient attention to the benefits of a truly engaged education, in and out of the classroom. What's important is to place the career objective in context."

Curran, co-author of "Smart Moves for Liberal Arts Grads: Finding a Path to a Perfect Career" (Ten Speed Press, 2006), notes that more than a third of the incoming freshman class arrives at Duke intending to become physicians, but fewer than 10 percent will go on to medical school. "It's not because they don't qualify. More likely, they will discover that they would prefer to pursue other career options -- either inside or outside of the health field," she said.

Curran, who has more than 30 years of university experience, offers other advice to career-minded, college-bound seniors:

-- For most jobs, a high grade-point average may be less important than what you can prove you've accomplished.

-- Study abroad can provide a significant advantage if you have an immersive international experience, not just "an American experience abroad." "Getting out of your comfort zone and exploring new avenues is essential," she said.

-- "Use internships and extracurricular activities to explore career opportunities and gain skills employers are seeking."

-- Careers don't happen overnight, so partner with the career center and others from your first year on. "Advisors, faculty and staff can be your allies; build relationships with them," she said.

-- Graduate or professional school are great options, but only if they are necessary for what you truly want to do. "Define success after graduation for yourself: it's your life."