Universities ?!?

Current prof here. Just spent all day with profs from all over the province. PM me if I can help with Qs. I'm on the sciences side but some career advice for students carries over disciplines.
 
We're doing the Queen's tour tomorrow.
Ottawa has been ruled out, Carleton and Vic (U of T) are the front runners so far.

A relative is a lawyer and she did her undergrad in Math.
Said that it was right or wrong so marks weren't based upon opinion.

The Universities seem to be actively recruiting, which I don't remember in my day.
 
Went to college first (Humber) then McMaster uni for engineering. Had job ready before I graduated. Not sure why people complain about jobs, but it depends if u had a good internship and how active one is when looking for job. As some people said get a degree that is worth it.

Humber was good and was more technical. University was more theory. Some of the guys in the lab couldn't figure out how to setup a simple electric circuit??

It all boils down to how much effort you put in your studies.
 
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I remember going to a prof for career advice, in fact 2 different profs at 2 different occasions & I get more advice on gtam than those numb-nuts put together. University & other institutions are a business, they only care about receiving your $$ and when they're done with you they won't really care.

If you are not doing graduate studies your degree is useless
 
I remember going to a prof for career advice, in fact 2 different profs at 2 different occasions & I get more advice on gtam than those numb-nuts put together. University & other institutions are a business, they only care about receiving your $$ and when they're done with you they won't really care.

If you are not doing graduate studies your degree is useless

Why would they care?? You shape your future, not them! Your last statement is not totally true. yes if you are studying history then you need graduate studies to be able to enter the job market. You have to pick the right field.

If you are a graduate in software you are in big demand because everything is moving to software whether it's your car or toaster. Software will be in more demand in future as we are moving in robotics e.g 3D printing is going to change the entire game. AI is another big thing and wait until they integrate Android in all the cars. I can talk forever about this.
 
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I have a Bachelor's of Computer Science from UofWaterloo. Graduated in 2006. The longest I've been without a job since graduating is 2 weeks and it was because I quit my job without having anything lined up and it took me two weeks to find a new job (actually had 2 different offers). ON the other hand my friend finished human biology and could not find a job with just an undergrad and had to go back to school (he posts here btw). As has been mentioned, University is worth it if you do something that directly links to a career. Something like History? I would not do it. Waste of time and money. If you're loaded and are willing to pay for your kid to have the "college" experience then sure, send him/her to western for arts, pack lots of condoms and send them on their merry way, but don't expect any return on this "investment".

This
Programmers will always be in demand.
 
I went to Algonquin College back in the late 1980s for Chemical Engineering (Technologist). Found out it was not for me and actually went back to high school to do my O.A.C.s (which is what they renamed Grade 13 at the time). Then off to Queen's and did my full four years to get a B.A. (Hons) in History. I never got into Teacher's College so I stumbled in the work force for a bit and my degree was doing NADA for me.

Went back to school (again) and moved myself from Ottawa and went to Humber and graduated as a Physiotherapist's Assistant. Did this for a few years and ended up practicing in a nursing home environment and ended up getting recruited into a Home Health sales role which led to a career just over a decade and worked my way up to some senior National Manager type of roles.

Got burned out after some deaths in the family and just could not do this anymore... Back to school (again) and went the private college route and spent good money to get my AZ through Tri-County in Ayr. Hit the road for a few years to see lots of stuff. I ended up getting local work later on and ended up getting myself a job driving a transit bus and I wish I had of done this in the first place.

I still love to teach and mentor but getting one's B.Ed. is not the easiest thing to do. If Law or a B.Ed. does not work out then what is the alternative?

Times are so darn tough now. Not sure what to recommend to young folks starting out. I met lots of great people at Queen's including my wife who is still putting up with me (and I sincerely cherish and appreciate her). However, my degree has rarely if ever done anything to advance my career.

Some say to go to University to broaden your mind and go to College to get a job.

Things have changed a lot since I was a 20 something. Now there are Universities with Diploma programs and some Colleges with Degree programs. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that one...
 
History and English grads are needed to sustain Ontario's welfare system.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my university history and english studies, but only as electives, not as the main course.
 
I still love to teach and mentor but getting one's B.Ed. is not the easiest thing to do. If Law or a B.Ed. does not work out then what is the alternative?

Picked up a M.Ed at Syracuse in my spare time back in the late 90s. Even if it doesn't get you related employment, it helps you in other areas by changing the way you think about task analysis, process, and communication.
 
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Why would they care?? You shape your future, not them! Your last statement is not totally true. yes if you are studying history then you need graduate studies to be able to enter the job market. You have to pick the right field.

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They were academic advisors. It was their job to advise or steer you in the right path
 
They were academic advisors. It was their job to advise or steer you in the right path

Lol I never went to those so called advisors. I did my own research and knew what I wanted and am happy with my degree/choice. Its like going to a Benz dealer and asking the sales person if that S class is good for you. Of course he/she will be happy to sell the car, but can you afford it? Only you know, not them.
 
I remember going to a prof for career advice, in fact 2 different profs at 2 different occasions & I get more advice on gtam than those numb-nuts put together. University & other institutions are a business, they only care about receiving your $$ and when they're done with you they won't really care.

If you are not doing graduate studies your degree is useless

Errr.....you make it sound like a kickback if a kid comes to my university. You couldn't be more wrong, I'm not interested in recruiting. I am interested in teaching and making sure a student does the best they can so they can succeed later on. Also...should everyone go to University? No.
 
Where is the joy?
 
Anyway here's my advice. As far as which university, just pick a decent one with smaller classes (if possible), check cost of accommodation. Get co-op experience if you can during undergrad. Any kind of relevant experience that makes you stand out, lab experience for sciences is always valuable. International experience (academic transfer programs) even better. The screening process for new jobs these days is brutal because of so many applicants. You need to stand out and that doesn't even mean just grades anymore. Go to office hours for your instructors, your prof will get to know you and is more likely to write a reference for you (needed for the co op placements) and you'll keep up with your work more easily. Do as much public speaking as you can..communication skills makes students also stand out.
 
Errr.....you make it sound like a kickback if a kid comes to my university. You couldn't be more wrong, I'm not interested in recruiting. I am interested in teaching and making sure a student does the best they can so they can succeed later on. Also...should everyone go to University? No.
That wasn't directed at you, but I know lots of profs who do
 
I knew a guy who whose life goal starting in high school was to become a tenured prof in archeology. Nothing else would do. Aim high.
 
you went to high school with Indiana Jones? that would have been so cool

At the time it was very impressive indeed. In the later years it was all about the past and future. The present, not so much. Dreaming will only take you so far.
 
But without a dream, there's no way a dream can come true.
 
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