Going into my first year at my previous college, I, along with many of my friends, was entirely clueless about what to study. Many students start college undecided about majors or careers, but as daily LinkedIn messages flooded my inbox about my classmates’ prestigious internships and research positions, I started to panic. I enjoyed my English class most among my course load and thought I may want to major in literature. Yet, I couldn’t shake the insecurity that by choosing a humanities major, I would be jeopardizing my career.
As a reaction to this fear, I added a double major in finance, loaded up my schedule with seven courses of business school prerequisites and began spending all my energy—both in and outside of class—recruiting for internship positions in prestigious clubs. I did secure internships as an underclassman. But two years later, after spending a gap year away from school, I realized the experiences that prepared me most for my internships in consulting, finance and education weren’t the ones that taught the hard skills necessary for recruiting. Instead, the activities that gave me the opportunity to pursue a variety of my passions and interests were what propelled me the furthest. These were the ones that later led me toward pursuing a different career path altogether (and to transferring to Northwestern).
My experience should not be seen as the standard for every student who selects a pre-professional path like pre-med or pre-law. Several people I know who began their time in college pursuing a ‘pre-something’ path ended up staying on that path through their senior year. Still though, friends of mine who are most certain in what they want to pursue after undergrad were the ones who made sure to exhaust their options and explore other paths to see if there is anything else out there for them. I have drawn from my own experiences — and those of my peers — to better understand that our undergraduate years should prioritize exploration and holistic education, rather than confine us to a set path.
While the culture of pre-professionalism can often feel all-consuming, I cannot stress enough the importance of taking a breath and thinking through things fully before committing yourself to a path you may be uncertain about, both to find your true passions and to avoid crunching to complete a new major senior year. To make sure you get the most out of your undergraduate experience in and out of the classroom, here are some do’s and don’ts that everyone should consider to explore and find their passions, without the constraints of following a linear path.
DO explore different classes, clubs and other activities you find interesting! Especially as an underclassman, it is essential to immerse yourself in a number of activities and disciplines, both in and outside of the classroom. Doing so will help you explore your current interests, teach you what you like to do, and most importantly, what you don’t like to do.
DON’T stress about careers and internships your first and second year. Many of your peers will be applying, and many will even get offers. There is never harm in putting some applications out for opportunities that excite you, but there is absolutely no expectation of underclassmen doing career-focused internships. Instead, focus on improving yourself through activities like a local job, travel or volunteer work.
DO talk to other people about their interests. Many of the most meaningful opportunities come from the places you least expect, and it’s often friends and classmates that can draw you toward an experience you end up really loving. For me, this was speaking to a former boss who gave me the idea to apply to be a ski instructor for a winter, which ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
DON’T think that a weak quarter or two of grades will kill your chances for prestigious jobs or grad school programs. Everyone struggles at some point during their university experience, and what matters most is your resilience and improvement despite these lower points!
DO talk to your professors. Perhaps the most important part of readiness for a career or post-graduate studies is a strong network. Your professors have invaluable experience working in a multitude of different industries, along with relationships with students who go off to do everything under the sun. Talk to them and ask what opportunities their students have enjoyed or found success with.
DON’T think that certain majors are “unemployable.” Every field of study offers a unique perspective into how the world works, how our society functions and what is important to us. These skills, even if they are not the skills you would be using every day in a job, are essential for navigating adult life and your early career.
DO book an appointment with a career/grad school advisor. These appointments are available for a reason, and the advisors are a great way to wrap your head around what is out there and what is worth looking into. Most importantly, they give you an avenue for career support without the toxic competition that often exists in pre-professional spheres on campus. Personally, I’ve had a great experience with these advisors, and they’ve helped a lot with providing places to search for positions in different industries and connecting me with alums with whom I now speak often!
At a school like Northwestern, it is incredibly easy to feel like you are falling behind. In reality, undergrad is about exploring and finding what you like and don’t like to do! Enjoy your classes and join clubs that sound interesting. Take your time to figure out how you want to spend your energy for the coming years and after you graduate.
