As college students prepare for today’s career landscape, they commonly find themselves plagued with a couple of common questions. Namely, “What am I going to do with that degree?”
The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is offering a new course designed to teach students how to develop and market the unique skills they have as liberal arts and sciences majors.
ARSC 201, or The Eberly Advantage, is a two-credit course where students will reflect on their personal and professional goals and prepare for life after graduation.
Liberal Arts & Sciences majors are haunted by the question, “What will you do with your degree after college?” said Stephen West, an instructor for the Eberly Advantage course. “This course helps Liberal Arts majors develop an understanding of the unique skills they possess—skills that are highly desirable in the 21st century marketplace—and a process of discovering the variety of career paths those skills can lead to.”
By the end of the seven-week course, students will have developed a personal development portfolio. The portfolio requires students to reflect on life goals, discover strengths and weaknesses, and participate in experiences outside of class.
The portfolio is divided into three areas- self-understanding, versatile career and well-rounded life.
The self-understanding section of the course requires students to complete a FOCUS career assessment.
During the versatile career section, students participate in resume design, interviewing strategies, internship location and developing a mentor network. These activities are designed and personalized for professional development.
The well-rounded life section requires students to participate in activities geared toward helping them realize their interests that reach beyond a career. This can be done by charting a path toward personal development, expanding on creativity, uncovering new interests or taking a renewed interest in citizenship and community.
There are currently four sections being offered during the fall semester.
