I recently read Thomas Friedman’s column in the New York Times on what is it in a school that produces engaged employees on a fulfilling career track.
He refers to the outcome of a Gallup study indicating two things stand out. Successful students had one or more teachers who were mentors and took a real interest in their aspirations, and they had an internship related to what they were learning in school.
I had a look at the Gallup study: it hardly matters to which school one goes -public or private, small or large, very selective or not selective. It is the experience in school that matters.
If you have a professor who cares about you as a person, makes you excited about learning, and encourages you to pursue your dreams, the odds of being engaged at work more than double, as do your odds of thriving in your well-being.
And if you have an internship or job where you are able to apply what you are learning in the classroom, are actively involved in extracurricular activities and organizations, and work on projects that take a semester or more to complete, your odds of being engaged at work doubles also.
Feeling supported and having deep learning experiences means everything when it comes to long-term outcomes for college graduates.
What was sobering was that only 3% of students indicated that they had the privilge of enjoying both these circumstances.
It made me just wonder whether law schools produce a lower or perhaps even a higher score? After all they cost a lot of money, they surely deliver value for money. I have my doubts. Perhaps the reduction in law school applications is quite understandable judging from the critical criteria used in the Gallup study.
