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Ten 'Real World' Tips For New Graduates
Recent grads offer real-world perspective to Class of 2007Excerpted from Elwood F. Hoton, III, "Preparing Students for Life Beyond the Classroom". Gardner, J.N. & Van der Veer, G. (1997). The Senior Year Experience: Facilitating Intergration, Reflection, Closure, and Transition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass Publishers.
| COLLEGE | THE REAL WORLD |
Frequent, quick and concrete feedback (grades) Highly structured curriculum and program with lots of direction Personally supportive environment Few significant changes Flexible schedule Personal control over time, classes, interests Intellectual challenge Choose your performance level (“A”, “B”) Focus on your development and growth Create and explore knowledge Individual effort “Right” answers Independence of ideas and thinking Professors Less initiative required |
Infrequent and less precise feedback High structured environment and tasks with few directions Less personal support Frequent and unexpected changes Structured schedule Limited time off Responding to other’s directions and interests Organizational and people challenges “A” level work required at all times Focus on getting results for the organization Get results with your knowledge Team effort Few “right” answers Do it the company’s way Bosses Lots of initiative required |