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10 THINGS TO KNOW (AND TO THINK ABOUT) FROM A FACULTY MEMBER'S PERSPECTIVE
Having been involved (both as a student, and now as a faculty member) in higher education over the past 40+ years, what should students be focused on when starting (and working towards completion of) their degree program. Here are 10 things to know, and to think about.
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To summarize what I'm going to be talking about, having been involved (both as a student, and now as a faculty member) in higher education over the past 40+ years, what should students be focused on when starting (and working towards completion of) their degree program. Here are 10 things to know, and to think about. So let's get started.
What should a college student know (or at least be thinking about) as they start their degree program (and are working towards completion of that degree)? As I've said, I have been a full-time faculty member here at NMU for 30 years, and prior to that earned a couple of undergraduate degrees from NMU (Associates Degree in Retailing and Sales in 1981, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 1984), after which I earned my MBA from Marquette University (1986) and my Ph.D. in Business Administration (majoring in Marketing) from Arizona State University (1992). Having gone through all of these educational experiences (as a student), and now serving as a full-time faculty member at NMU for 30 years, here are some suggestions and things to think about as you start (and complete) your degree program.
1. Get off to a good start.
Having a strong start academically (in your first 1-2 semesters) is very important in laying the groundwork for a successful degree program. Over the years I’ve seen a number of students struggle in their first and/or second semester(s), and as a result, additional problems occur (such as having to repeat courses, losing financial aid, academic probation, etc.). If you are having difficulties in your courses, recognize it early, and seek help from the professors, your academic advisor, All Campus Tutoring, and perhaps fellow students and your parents. Get off to the best start that you can.
2. Think 10+ years down the road or more.
Picking a major is very important, and one way to do this is to “think backwards”. What I mean by this it to imagine your life 10 or 15 years into the future – 15 years from now, if you could ultimately determine your future, what would your job title be, who would you work for, where would you live, etc. and then work backwards from that future point in time. Ask yourself how can you get there, starting with picking the right major. Talk with your faculty/academic advisor, professors in the majors you are interested in, parents, professionals working the field you are interested in. The goal is to try and figure out what the key elements are in order to achieve a successful career path, all in an effort to get you to where you want to be in the decades to come.
3. Meet regularly with your academic advisor, especially the advisor in your major.
At NMU faculty do a considerable amount of academic and career advising, but not all students take full advantage of this opportunity. So, I would suggest that it is very important to meet regularly (at least once a semester) with your academic advisor to discuss course planning for the upcoming semester, possible internships, your professional goals and aspirations, involvement with professional organizations, and other issues related to your career. If you would prefer to work with another faculty member as your academic advisor, ask them if they would be willing to work with you (i.e., students can request to change their faculty or academic advisors). Develop a strong working relationship with your faculty advisor; this could extend even beyond your graduation from NMU (note: I hear from a wide range of my former students each year, and in turn I keep in touch with some of my own (past) faculty mentors from decades ago).
4. Keep a calendar and think about time management.
Whether it is in digital form, or a traditional paper version, keep a calendar for the academic semester and maybe even the next semester. This will force you to think days, weeks, and months ahead in terms of class requirements, when classes meet, when exams will happen, when short assignments are due, course projects, etc. Be diligent in keeping your calendar current (update your calendar daily), and include other items related to various meetings, other events, etc.; by keeping a calendar, you will force yourself to think ahead and plan your time wisely. For example, each Sunday, look at your calendar and examine what will happen, and will need to happen, over the next week. On the first of each month, look ahead to see what will be happening during that calendar month.
5. Completing a degree program is a marathon, not a sprint, and goals are important.
An undergraduate degree program typically requires 8 semesters of full-time work, sometimes more, and mentally you need to think like a marathon runner, pacing yourself for the long haul. Not doing as well as you would’ve liked in a particular course is not the end of the race, just one small part of it. Examine what went wrong, make corrections, and move forward, striving to not repeat the mistakes of the past. Also set goals for yourself; what do you want to accomplish during your undergraduate program, and set ambitious goals (BHAG – Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals) for yourself. Do this for your degree program, and also in your career. Even if you only achieve 75% of a BHAG, that is an above-average accomplishment. Thinking about goals and envisioning the achievement of those goals is an important part of being successful in your degree program, and in professional career and life in general.
6. Go beyond your coursework.
Successful students go well-beyond their coursework (assuming they are already maximizing their GPA), and think about doing an internship(s), perhaps get involved with a student organization related to their major, perhaps a study abroad program, among other types of meaningful and impactful experiences. Strive to achieve a well-rounded degree program, filled with experiences that are meaningful; this will, in turn, provide many good discussion points on your resume and provide you with the opportunity to showcase your accomplishments, skills and talents.
7. Keep up with your profession.
Regardless of what your major field of study is, strive to keep current with what is happening within that professional area. For example, if you are majoring in Business, read publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, BusinessWeek, and others on a regular (daily) basis. This will help you in your classes, and will prepare you for the job interview process towards the end your academic career. It will also allow you to make more and more connections between what you are learning in your classes and what is happening in the real world.
8. Think about your weaknesses.
Although it may be counter intuitive, think about the areas where you need further improvements. For example, if math is an area where you are not strong, address this over time by taking additional courses in math or doing some form(s) of additional study. Math, quantitative skills, data analysis, all of these are increasingly important across a broad range of careers, and this trend will likely increase into the future. It will take some motivation, initiative and perhaps a bit of courage, but think about what areas you would like to work on and improve. Public speaking is another good example; many people do not like to do presentations, make speeches, etc., so if that is the case, volunteer to do various types of presentations and other forms of public speaking. Over time, you will become more comfortable speaking in front of others, and will become good at it (i.e., another skill that will serve you well in your career and life).
9. Work hard, be good, have fun.
My wife (Kimberly) and I have 3 children, and ever since they started kindergarten many years ago, I have said these 6 words to each of them each day as they leave the house for school. To me these are simple but profound words. Working hard pays many dividends, sometimes immediately, but then again sometimes it takes months or years for hard work to pay off. Hard work pays off in the end. And people notice it when you work hard, and are known as a hard worker. Being good is just common sense to me; strive to be a good person, to do good and to contribute to society in good (positive) ways. Finally, have some fun; life is not all work, and it is very important to have some appropriate balance in life. After working hard, it seems to me that time spent having fun is even more meaningful and impactful. The “having fun” part of my advice reminds me of a quote I saw while in Berlin, Germany (with my family) years ago, which was “Keep Berlin Weird”. NMU, Marquette, and the U.P. are all fantastic because of some of the great (sometimes a bit weird) aspects of living and working here (i.e., think of the Trenary Outhouse Races – I competed in the Trenary Outhouse Races way back in the 1990’s during the 2nd year of these annual races, and my teammate (Todd Bolander, a former student of mine) and I came in 3rd in our division!).
10. Understand the importance of your intellectual curiosity.
How is it that we think the way that we do? What influences our thinking? All of us have a different view of the world, ultimately being shaped by a wide range of life experiences, relationships with family members and others, etc.. Think about ways to expand your intellectual curiosity during your degree program; this can be accomplished in many different ways, such as by getting involved with a student organization on campus, learn a new language, do an internship(s), complete a study abroad program, take a course in an area you are curious about, work on a research project with a faculty member, start a small business, learn a new skill, etc. Keep this in mind: there is something to be gained by just about any life experience. Over the years I have engaged in a very wide range of types of activities, and I am mindful of how each of these contributes to my thinking and my perspective. Strive to constantly stoke your intellectual curiosity, even on a daily basis.
So lastly, what kind of takeaway can I suggest from these comments?
These 10 things to think about are intended to get you think about what you should be doing during your degree program, both short term and long term. I hope you have a successful degree program and a successful career, and end up “where you want to be” in the future. Thank you.
What should a college student know (or at least be thinking about) as they start their degree program (and are working towards completion of that degree)? I have been a full-time faculty member here at NMU for 30 years, and prior to that earned a couple of undergraduate degrees from NMU (Associates Degree in Retailing and Sales in 1981, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 1984), after which I earned my MBA from Marquette University (1986) and my Ph.D. in Business Administration (majoring in Marketing) from Arizona State University (1992). Having gone through all of these educational experiences (as a student), and now serving as a full-time faculty member at NMU for 30 years, here are some suggestions and things to think about as you start (and complete) your degree program.
1. Get off to a good start.
Having a strong start academically (in your first 1-2 semesters) is very important in laying the groundwork for a successful degree program. Over the years I’ve seen a number of students struggle in their first and/or second semester(s), and as a result, additional problems occur (such as having to repeat courses, losing financial aid, academic probation, etc.). If you are having difficulties in your courses, recognize it early, and seek help from the professors, your academic advisor, All Campus Tutoring, and perhaps fellow students and your parents. Get off to the best start that you can.
2. Think 10+ years down the road or more.
Picking a major is very important, and one way to do this is to “think backwards”. What I mean by this it to imagine your life 10 or 15 years into the future – 15 years from now, if you could ultimately determine your future, what would your job title be, who would you work for, where would you live, etc. and then work backwards from that future point in time. Ask yourself how can you get there, starting with picking the right major. Talk with your faculty/academic advisor, professors in the majors you are interested in, parents, professionals working the field you are interested in. The goal is to try and figure out what the key elements are in order to achieve a successful career path, all in an effort to get you to where you want to be in the decades to come.
3. Meet regularly with your academic advisor, especially the advisor in your major.
At NMU faculty do a considerable amount of academic and career advising, but not all students take full advantage of this opportunity. So, I would suggest that it is very important to meet regularly (at least once a semester) with your academic advisor to discuss course planning for the upcoming semester, possible internships, your professional goals and aspirations, involvement with professional organizations, and other issues related to your career. If you would prefer to work with another faculty member as your academic advisor, ask them if they would be willing to work with you (i.e., students can request to change their faculty or academic advisors). Develop a strong working relationship with your faculty advisor; this could extend even beyond your graduation from NMU (note: I hear from a wide range of my former students each year, and in turn I keep in touch with some of my own (past) faculty mentors from decades ago).
4. Keep a calendar and think about time management.
Whether it is in digital form, or a traditional paper version, keep a calendar for the academic semester and maybe even the next semester. This will force you to think days, weeks, and months ahead in terms of class requirements, when classes meet, when exams will happen, when short assignments are due, course projects, etc. Be diligent in keeping your calendar current (update your calendar daily), and include other items related to various meetings, other events, etc.; by keeping a calendar, you will force yourself to think ahead and plan your time wisely. For example, each Sunday, look at your calendar and examine what will happen, and will need to happen, over the next week. On the first of each month, look ahead to see what will be happening during that calendar month.
5. Completing a degree program is a marathon, not a sprint, and goals are important.
An undergraduate degree program typically requires 8 semesters of full-time work, sometimes more, and mentally you need to think like a marathon runner, pacing yourself for the long haul. Not doing as well as you would’ve liked in a particular course is not the end of the race, just one small part of it. Examine what went wrong, make corrections, and move forward, striving to not repeat the mistakes of the past. Also set goals for yourself; what do you want to accomplish during your undergraduate program, and set ambitious goals (BHAG – Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals) for yourself. Do this for your degree program, and also in your career. Even if you only achieve 75% of a BHAG, that is an above-average accomplishment. Thinking about goals and envisioning the achievement of those goals is an important part of being successful in your degree program, and in professional career and life in general.
6. Go beyond your coursework.
Successful students go well-beyond their coursework (assuming they are already maximizing their GPA), and think about doing an internship(s), perhaps get involved with a student organization related to their major, perhaps a study abroad program, among other types of meaningful and impactful experiences. Strive to achieve a well-rounded degree program, filled with experiences that are meaningful; this will, in turn, provide many good discussion points on your resume and provide you with the opportunity to showcase your accomplishments, skills and talents.
7. Keep up with your profession.
Regardless of what your major field of study is, strive to keep current with what is happening within that professional area. For example, if you are majoring in Business, read publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, BusinessWeek, and others on a regular (daily) basis. This will help you in your classes, and will prepare you for the job interview process towards the end your academic career. It will also allow you to make more and more connections between what you are learning in your classes and what is happening in the real world.
8. Think about your weaknesses.
Although it may be counter intuitive, think about the areas where you need further improvements. For example, if math is an area where you are not strong, address this over time by taking additional courses in math or doing some form(s) of additional study. Math, quantitative skills, data analysis, all of these are increasingly important across a broad range of careers, and this trend will likely increase into the future. It will take some motivation, initiative and perhaps a bit of courage, but think about what areas you would like to work on and improve. Public speaking is another good example; many people do not like to do presentations, make speeches, etc., so if that is the case, volunteer to do various types of presentations and other forms of public speaking. Over time, you will become more comfortable speaking in front of others, and will become good at it (i.e., another skill that will serve you well in your career and life).
9. Work hard, be good, have fun.
My wife (Kimberly) and I have 3 children, and ever since they started kindergarten many years ago, I have said these 6 words to each of them each day as they leave the house for school. To me these are simple but profound words. Working hard pays many dividends, sometimes immediately, but then again sometimes it takes months or years for hard work to pay off. Hard work pays off in the end. And people notice it when you work hard, and are known as a hard worker. Being good is just common sense to me; strive to be a good person, to do good and to contribute to society in good (positive) ways. Finally, have some fun; life is not all work, and it is very important to have some appropriate balance in life. After working hard, it seems to me that time spent having fun is even more meaningful and impactful. The “having fun” part of my advice reminds me of a quote I saw while in Berlin, Germany (with my family) years ago, which was “Keep Berlin Weird”. NMU, Marquette, and the U.P. are all fantastic because of some of the great (sometimes a bit weird) aspects of living and working here (i.e., think of the Trenary Outhouse Races – I competed in the Trenary Outhouse Races way back in the 1990’s during the 2nd year of these annual races, and my teammate (Todd Bolander, a former student of mine) and I came in 3rd in our division!).
10. Understand the importance of your intellectual curiosity.
How is it that we think the way that we do? What influences our thinking? All of us have a different view of the world, ultimately being shaped by a wide range of life experiences, relationships with family members and others, etc.. Think about ways to expand your intellectual curiosity during your degree program; this can be accomplished in many different ways, such as by getting involved with a student organization on campus, learn a new language, do an internship(s), complete a study abroad program, take a course in an area you are curious about, work on a research project with a faculty member, start a small business, learn a new skill, etc. Keep this in mind: there is something to be gained by just about any life experience. Over the years I have engaged in a very wide range of types of activities, and I am mindful of how each of these contributes to my thinking and my perspective. Strive to constantly stoke your intellectual curiosity, even on a daily basis.
→ Takeaway
These 10 things to think about are intended to get you think about what you should be doing during your degree program, both short term and long term. I hope you have a successful degree program and a successful career, and end up “where you want to be” in the future.
