It's not the case that every career has a linear path to it, says Dean Sacha Kopp.
Dear students,
This week was another reminder of of some of the things that makes college special. If your parents or family members went to college, chances are that they have many memories of what they did and how the experiences they had shaped their future. You've no doubt heard them talk about this, and from others you might be told how you need to build your resume so you can land the opportunity you've always wanted post-college.
In a way this is true, but sometimes we run the risk of making this process sound like it's very linear. It's not the case that every career has a linear path to it, and one slight deviation means that you've lost the opportunity to move one -- sounds more like levels on a video game. Rather, life and careers are a collection of experiences and learning opportunities which shape who we become; they are all important, and they all bring some new skills or ignite a new passion within us, but you alone are the unique person that results from those experiences.
I was reminded of all this in my NSC109 class this week -- I've been asking scientists to come to my freshman conference course and tell students how it is that they came to find their ultimate career. This week Karen Landolt, the director of our new Career Design Center, helped me assemble a panel consisting of an aerospace executive, a software programmer, a risk analyst, and a marketing director came to class. Their undergraduate majors were chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and biology, respectively. They all spoke of the exciting opportunities and relationships they had in college in addition to their majors which ultimately shaped the path they went on -- student organizations, an elective class, internships, etc. Take away message: their major was important in shaping their eventual career path, but there is no unique way to get to a particular outcome. You can be a physics major and go to med school, and you can be a biochemistry major and go in to finance.
At Family Day yesterday it was so impressive to see our faculty and student organizations showing the many ways for students to get involved in the College. When Dean Laude spoke to parents and students at the Texas Memorial Museum, he expressed the hope that every student would take the opportunity to do something unusual, to be curious, and to develop relationships with other students with similar interests. Those experiences may expose you to something you are passionate about (or not!), and may introduce you to other people who become great friends and colleagues. In his case, it was learning to play the carillon. Chances are this is the kind of thing those family members mean when they reflect on college being so formative.
As you register for classes this next couple of weeks, try not to stress quite so much if you're on the right path. Your major is important, and you want to tackle it with all the energy and thoughtfulness it deserves. But don't think that you have locked yourself on a path, because every major in our College can open doors in to numerous careers. Leave time for that "other stuff," check out a student organization, establish relationships with faculty, students, and mentors, and allow yourself the permission to try things out. Incidentally, for a little more advice on registration, check out the Natural Sciences Council's latest edition of The Catalyst, a monthly publication of great articles and advice from your student representatives!
Since I'm on the topic of creative career paths, I thought I would mention Dr. Lauren Meyers, who recently became the new director of the Division for Statistics and Scientific Computation. She majored in mathematics and philosophy as an undergraduate, and her PhD in biology led her to investigations of mathematical epidemiology and the spread of infectious disease, as well as theoretical evolutionary biology. Dr. Meyers will soon be featured on the Longhorn Network as one of the campus "Game Changers," so be sure to watch. Apparently, the New York Times says that statistics is one of the hottest jobs of the next decade? Dr. Meyers visits my NSC109 class this week if you'd like to come hear more.
Have a great week,
Yours,
Dr. Sacha Kopp
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