7A - Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Colleges should adapt a system that prevents instructors from giving too high of a volume of homework (not to erase it completely, but to make it so that the students, with their often highly busy schedules, have the time they need to build the out-of-the-classroom experience that they overwhelming majority of employers will require).

Who? Colleges.

I believe that colleges, especially university that are higher in prestige, give students quite a heavy workload, one that I believe is often more than what is essential for learning, and hinders professional resume development.

What?
The homework load, in many cases, stops students from gaining the extracurricular and non-academic experience needed to be competitive in the eyes of employers. College is rather difficult as is, but the daunting task of building a resume that an employer wants to see is often made impossible because most classes demand several of hours per week of study.

Why?
The instructors and academic coordinators do not take into account the necessity of resume and experience building.

Interviewed 5 people:

#1: When I told this person about this idea, they immediately agreed. Being a high-aiming student trying to get into medical school, they felt that they have no time to build the resume necessary to look competitive because they simply do not have time to get out of the library.

#2: This person was an instructor, and when I told them this idea, they met it with understanding, but said that a part of the reason why things are this way is to show employers who can and cannot rise to the challenges that will be presented in the workplace, and to demonstrate crucial skills like multitasking and time management.

#3: This person was also a student. This person was negatively impacted by the overwhelming homework load, but for a different reason. They were actually in the process of looking for a job because they had to make money for bills, and found it very difficult to find a job that would allow them to also fulfill their responsibilities as a student. They said they felt as if they were being forced to choose between getting an assignment done or paying their bills.

#4: This student was someone who already had a job. When I asked them about this, they told me that they felt as though they had to quit jobs every time a new semester started, because it was very difficult to find a job that would be understanding of their demanding school schedule.

#5 This person was rather neutral, as they were a property manager. They didn't really have a specific stance when I told them, aside from saying how they often cared about the work/intern experience that prospective employees had.


From this experience, I think I've spoke on a rather important opportunity. I believe it goes deeper than just building a resume, but rather, addresses the issue of how difficult it is for students to build experience. And for people going into the work field in general, where so many jobs are requiring experience to be considered qualified for a position, while the workforce and education system make it increasingly hard for students to gain that necessary experience.