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By Joel Delgado ’12 MS ’17
It’s easy to get pulled into registering for a full slate of courses that are required for your major every semester.
College is all about discovering what you are passionate about and exploring new ideas, but it is easy to go through the years and realize that you didn’t do much discovering or exploring at all.
Give yourself a chance to take a step back and take a look at other courses in other disciplines that can expand your creativity, provide you with skills that will be valuable in and out of the workplace, and improve your employability.
Here are some courses to take that can help pull you out of your comfort zone and get the most out of your collegiate journey while learning skills that will be incredibly useful in the “real world.”
1. MAJOR AND CAREER EXPLORATION (SLS 3407)
Course Description: Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of career development strategies and clarify interests and skills as related to major/career choice.
First off, if you don’t exactly know what to major in, you’re not alone. If that’s where you stand, you would be wise to take this course. It will help you match your interests and skills with potential majors and careers that you could pursue.
Sophomore status or above is required to take this course, but if you’re a freshman, you may want to look into the Discover Your Major (SLS 1402) course as an alternative if you don’t want to wait.
2. PUBLIC SPEAKING (SPC 2608)
Course Description: Study of the principles of ethical and effective public speaking, with practice in the construction and delivery of original speeches before an audience.
For many people, the idea of speaking in front of people – large or small – is about as enjoyable as getting up for that 8 a.m. class for which you regretted signing up. But no matter what career field you are going into, the ability to clearly and effectively communicate ideas to your bosses and coworkers is essential.
Organizing your thoughts to develop an argument, delivering a 10-minute presentation and speaking comfortably and intelligently in front of others are invaluable skills that will come in handy when the time comes to interview for a job and in the workplace. This course will without a doubt boost your value in the workplace.
3. INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS I (STA 2122)
Course Description: A course in descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include – probability distribution of discrete and continuous random variables. Sampling distributions. Large sample estimation and hypothesis testing for means and proportions.
Whether you are a scientist, a political leader or a teacher, you will be working with data and research. Many major decisions made in companies and organizations are made after a statistical analysis of data has been conducted. That means that knowing how to work your way around numbers is critical.
4. BEGINNING PAINTING (ART 2300C) OR DRAWING (ART 2500C)
An introduction to the fundamentals of drawing. The course equips the student with a variety of basic skills, approaches and concepts explored through a comprehensive range of media OR Introduction to development of expression, through individual understanding of tools, materials, technique, perception and vocabulary of painting.
With a heavy recent focus on science and math in educational circles, many people don’t take time to tap into their creativity. But there are a number of skills that can be picked up in the arts that can be transferred into other courses and life as a whole, including problem-solving skills, focus and perseverance. Engage your creative side and take an arts introductory art or design course.
5. PERSONAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT (FIN 3140)
Course Description: An introductory course to help individuals achieve their personal financial goals. Topics include personal budgeting, taxes, credit, major expenses, insurance, investments and retirement planning.
This course will help you develop an understanding of what it means to manage your money effectively both while on campus and once you are on your own after graduation. Learning how to come up with a budget, fill out your tax forms and plan for retirement will make you ready to make your money work for you once you land that first job after graduating.
6. COMPUTER PROGRAMMING I (COP 2210)
Course Description: A first course in computer science that uses a structured programming language to study programming and problem solving on the computer. Includes the design, construction and analysis of programs.
Want to drastically improve your chances at getting employed right out of college? Take this course. Coding may not be for everyone, but learning a programming language or two, like Java or C++, is becoming important in today’s world and it will serve as a huge resume booster in just about every career field.
7. INTRO TO CREATIVE WRITING (CRW 2001)
Course Description: Beginning course designed to acquaint students with elementary critical vocabulary and writing skills necessary for the writing of poems and short fiction.
Whether you are writing essays for class, polishing up a job resume or writing an email to a friend, writing is a natural part of life. A creative writing class will not only help expand your vocabulary and sharpen your writing skills, but also challenge you to work on creative thinking.
8. PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (ECO 2023)
Course Description: Introduction to economic analysis of individual units – households and firms. Operation of markets; supply and demand analysis.
If you have a dream of opening up your own business one day, you would be wise to take this course. And even if you don’t see yourself opening up a shop, learning how individuals or families choose to use the limited resources that are available to them is valuable for whatever field you choose to get into.
Having a basic understanding of how the economy works at the individual level, including values, costs and pricing as well as supply and demand, will help you gain a better understanding of today’s economy and make you valuable to future employers.
This article is part of our Secrets to Success series.
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I suggest taking “Marketinng Yourself” and “Happiness at Work.” While the happiness class helped me finally choose a career path that I am passionate about, marketing yourself helps students improve their resumes by focusing on their strengths and improving their weeknesses.
I would add Human Anatomy with Physiology. Knowing about your bones and muscles in very important. Everything you can learn about yourself, other people and the planet is enriching and liberating. One never knows what kind of contribution one will be asked to give at home and at other places in the world.
I would add History of the Beatles. That class was amazing!
I Will add for someone to give me a whole bunch of money in order to do so!! Lol
Studies in World Religions (REL 3308)
Course Description – Examines the origins, teachings, and practices of selected world religions. The specific religions selected for examination may vary from semester to semester.
In a global economy, every type of business that you can think of will come into contact with people from different cultures and religions. The more you know and understand about other religious traditions and cultures from around the world, the more successful you will be and the more you will enjoy these interactions. This is a great addition to every degree as it makes you more prepared for global citizenship.
Whether or not the following classes should be administered in high school or college is debatable. However, I feel everyone who goes through the education system in the Untied States should take the following:
First and foremost, every student should take an introductory to philosophy class. It forces you to question the most important aspects in you life and the world, abstract ideas, and real world problems, and a logical approach to going about them. It will build a strong logical approach to thinking and strong communication skills. In addition, analyzing these issues may give you a clearer path to what you really want from your education and life. Philosophy student score higher in aptitude tests then any other major, aside from math. Most philosophy majors become lawyers.
Secondly, an intro to psychology should be mandatory as well. It gives you a basic understanding of the human psychology. It will assist you in your life and relationships throughout your life.
Lastly, an intro into health should be mandatory. Having a comprehensive understanding of the factors that affect your overall health and how macronutrients affect your body will be useful throughout your life and will enable you to be better at doing whatever it is you want to do.
OKay… I’ve taken numbers 4, 6, 7 & 8.
Wouldn’t recommend. Here’s why…
The art classes don’t actually teach you how to draw on a professional level.
COP 2210 is insanely basic. Learning how to program by yourself is faster.
CRW 2001 is decent, but… writing poems and stories is important. I’m a writer and a rapper. Ask me how much money I make.
ECO 2023? Look… I took that class and got an B. Can’t remember squat. The info isn’t important. Employers (besides certain industries) don’t give a hoot if you know economics. That’s if you wish to start your own business.