¶ … Sociology "What will most greatly affect your academic and career future and how can you ensure success?"

I am an accounting major. While like all students I worry about getting a job after graduation, the profession of accounting is an in-demand profession, despite the difficulties of the current economy. I foresee myself working as a manager for a construction company or other small firm after graduating. I am happy that I will graduate with a major that will give me concrete skills and thus better job prospects. According to The New York Times, of all college majors, humanities majors are the least likely to find jobs upon graduation (Rampell 2011). In contrast, "employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 22% between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations" (Accountants and auditors, 2011, BLS).

Thus, picking a major that is well-suited to the needs of the job market cannot be underestimated in preparing one's self for future success. There...

The student must find a major that aligns with current economic needs, even while it should also be well-suited to his or her natural inclinations, skill sets, and abilities. Ideally, the best undergraduate program will teach a student to 'learn how to learn' -- in other words, give him or her broad-based critical thinking skills, while also prepare him or her for the specifics of a useful profession. It is hard to predict how the working world will shape and evolve over the next ten or twenty years, so one's college education cannot be too narrow -- but on the other hand, a college graduate today must come 'prepared to work' with practical skills. I believe my education will make me both a better person and a better accountant.
Broad-based skills and abilities are essential. For example, as an accountant or someone working in finance, I still need strong interpersonal skills as well as a strong financial skills set. Dealing with people as a manger means responding to…