ICON+

A university admissions counselor at ICON+, I am one of those who loved higher education so much that I chose to work in the field and help younger students navigate their educational and vocational pathways.

It has been nearly a decade since I flew from Tokyo to Chicago to begin my undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; it’s a good time to reflect on how my university experience has influenced my career progression and adult life. In doing so, I hope to inspire you to think of how you can take greatest advantage of your university experience.

I’m glad I…

1. …graduated with top-notch grades (that’s “marks” for the Singaporeans out there).

At the end of the day, a degree should help you, not hinder you, in the job application process. The fact that I graduated with Honors no doubt put me at an advantage when I applied to graduate school (Master’s in Higher Education Administration), internships, and jobs.

2. …engaged in numerous practical experiences.

However, good grades would not have been enough for me to be competitive in today’s job market. My first jobs were in the USA, where employers expect recent university graduates to come with internship, volunteer, and work experience already under their belts. Graduates with practical experiences are more seasoned and bring skills, habits, and attitudes to the workplace that can benefit employers.

During university, I held part-time jobs at a dormitory’s front desk, as a student academic advisor, and for the programming department of the international student office; interned in the career advising center; volunteered regularly in the local community; and even participated in service-learning trips to Kentucky and Jamaica.

Having these hands-on experiences not only helped me land more serious jobs later on, but also ensured I was a responsible and efficient worker once hired.

3. …picked a major I was truly interested in

I went into university thinking I would design my own major in Expressive Arts Therapy – no, really! (For those of you who may not be familiar with this subject, expressive arts therapy blends the theater arts and psychology for healing purposes.)

Like countless university students, however, I changed my mind about what I wanted to study even before I got to my first class. In retrospect, I’m glad I allowed myself to feel uncertain and to explore multiple majors before selecting Human Development and Family Studies as my program of choice. Had I not allowed myself time to explore, I may not have learned so much about myself or selected a major that led so smoothly to my career of choice.

4. …created strong international friendships

Academics and career are important, but what would life be without friends? In university, I was lucky enough to meet close friends from all over the world; I lived in a shared flat with girls from Vietnam, the US (one was more Senegalese than American, though!), and India. We discussed our cultural and religious differences, fought about housework, cooked multicultural cuisines, and grew up together. We’re still in touch almost a decade later!

The growth that happens in college should not be limited to the intellectual realm. I strongly believe that a university education should address development of the whole person, which must include personal and social development. Although in Asia, we stress academics so much, I have found that social skills have an inestimable impact on career progression and personal happiness.

5. …took advantage of extra academic opportunities

That is, I applied for and was accepted into an Honors program, completed a senior thesis, and utilized the university’s free tutoring services. Through taking advantage of these services, I not only developed better critical thinking and writing skills but also gained access to some pretty amazing professors!

It was also great that my major happened to be in a small department. Some majors at large research universities like the University of Wisconsin-Madison attract such great numbers of students that their classes have hundreds of students each. Being a part of a smaller group of students allowed me to develop stronger connections with professors and participate in discussion-oriented classes.

I wish I had…

1. …been more open-minded!

If you had split open my head when I was a college student, you would have seen two colors: black and white.  I went to Wisconsin with a very strong belief in right and wrong. In my mind, there was only one way to do things, and I immediately shut down when professors and peers challenged my thinking. I admit I had a difficult time accepting different religious ideas, sexual orientations, egalitarian lifestyles, and cultural perceptions.

Who knows? Maybe I was intimidated by the idea that there were so many good ways of doing things in this world. Maybe I was scared to begin thinking for myself, frightened of making a mistake.

I regret that I was not more open-minded in my classes and toward the diverse people I met; had I been more flexible and confident, I would have learned so much more in my four years of college.

2. …thought more deeply about career progression and money.

I confess - I was afflicted with the rich-kid syndrome. Having grown up in a wealthy family, I didn’t appreciate what I was born with and underestimated the importance of money!

Had I been more mature in my thinking, I would have not only majored in Human Development and Family Studies, but also chosen another more vocationally-oriented major such as International Business. (Dual-majors, by the way, are a great way to combine your interests and career needs.) I would have given more thought to how my academic choices in university would affect my future career progression.

3. …studied abroad… while studying abroad…

This has got to be my deepest regret! I hadn’t fully realized my interest in diverse cultures as an undergraduate student, so I didn’t take advantage of my university’s phenomenal exchange opportunities.

If I could do it all over again, I would spend a year in Italy, a semester in South Africa, and a summer in Scandinavia or the Antarctic.

I suppose as a student, I thought, “Oh, life is long – I can go abroad any time I want!” However, the opportunity to spend a long period of time in another culture may not come so easily once you start working full-time.

Although I’ve given you my personal experience above, I realize that different individuals make different memories and have different regrets about college. My best advice to you, then, is this: Take full advantage of what your university has to offer and work hard with your future in mind. At the same time, balance yourself out and build wonderful memories!