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Does college choice affect future job opportunity?

  1. swurlygurl

    honeydew / 7091 posts

    I think it can help to have a degree from a certain University for some employers, but I wouldn't think it would be necessary. Where I live there are a couple major Universities, and employers have preferences for which program they prefer to hire from, but they do hire from both...

  2. MsLipGloss

    GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts

    YES, your educational pedigree impacts future job opportunities.

  3. Mrs. Pen

    blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts

    Okay I have never heard of Drexel and was surprised to hear he thinks that it would afford him more opportunities? I HAVE heard of Penn State and know it's a great, prestigious school and I think if he is willing - it would actually be a better choice if you're only weighing in ranking/prestige/etc.

    As for the original question: I completely agree that it depends on major and what he'd like to do. I am in nursing school, and where I'm going now isn't the *top school* in the state, but it is a good school nonetheless. I don't think I will have an issue finding a job post-graduation. If I had decided to go to a certain other school in my area that essentially accepts any and all applicants, I know my changes of getting a nursing job would not be as high because that school doesn't have the best reputation - which is apparent through their lack of wait list/high acceptance rate.

  4. ShootingStar

    coconut / 8472 posts

    I think it really depends on the field he's going into. And I would strongly urge him to do his research before deciding. In my industry (software development) it doesn't really matter. At least, not enough to justify the extra cost. DH went to a super expensive and excellent college for undergrad (Northeastern) and graduated with $100k in debt. It crippled him financially for years, and we're still feeling the repercussions of it. Meanwhile, we work with tons of people who graduated from various UMass schools. They're not nationally ranked, but they're WAY cheaper. The co-op program at Northeastern was really nice and it did help DH get a job. But really, at the time he graduated he likely would've been employed anyways. And he would've been better off having no school loans and struggling to find a job for a year or two.

    If you're going to law school or getting an MBA, then yes, it makes a big different where you go. But in most cases, the massive amounts of debt will not be worth it.

  5. Greentea

    pomelo / 5678 posts

    @Mamaof2: yes! It does matter and I would always go to the best school you can get into.

  6. Freckles

    honeydew / 7444 posts

    @honeybear: Oops, sorry about that! I did agree with you either way.

    @Mamaof2: if he is going into actuarial sciences, they are usually mixed with econ and math (interdisciplinary, which may be why you couldn't find it), and PSU has the better ranked economics department.

  7. ValentineMommy

    pomelo / 5791 posts

    I should have specified in my earlier statement and I agree with what a few others have said - Drexel is known around here for their engineering program (and it's the co-op program that we hire out of). I've never really heard of Drexel being highly regarded in other fields.

  8. BSB

    hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts

    @Mamaof2: I went to Penn State (didn't go to main campus, though) and my sister went to Drexel. I think we can both argue why our school was better, but in the end, it depends on the program and what internships they can offer. My sister went to a community college and then transferred into Drexel, so she did save some money. She ended up getting into a BS/MS program. I only have my BS. We both did co-ops (internships) so I would say the internships helped us get jobs. My school's name and co-op program did help me get co-ops, but now that I'm at another job on the west coast, PSU really didn't get me the job. It was my hard work that did that.

    As for PennState's alumni networking, I've heard of it, but haven't had to use it yet. I have had fellow graduates contact me but my advice was to do undergrad research and co-ops to look better on your resume.

    For me, I chose a smaller Penn State campus so I wouldn't get distracted and I'm so grateful that I did. (I visited main a few times but it was just so big!) My sister went to another university but then transferred closer to home to go to a community college. She then ultimately got in the Drexel program. I think for her she had to find herself.

    I would start out at Penn State and if he doesn't like the program or the school then he can transfer to Drexel. Better on your pocketbook. Just keep track of Drexel's transfer requirements so he shouldn't have to do much repeating. Usually Gen Eds and basic math and science can transfer.

  9. MrsH

    honeydew / 7667 posts

    Where are both the schools ranked in his major? Does he expect to continue his education past undergrad? Those would be major factors.

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