5 Dysfunctional Beliefs Students Have About Life After College
Career expert shares insights from thousands of student interviews.
An interview with a college and career expert
We sat down to debunk the five most common student and parent myths about the world of work with Dr. Marc Hunsaker, Ph.D.¹
Dr. Hunsaker is Dean of Personal & Professional Development at Berry College and a facilitator in the Stanford University Life Design Lab. He is an expert in life-design strategy and vocational formation. Dr. Hunsaker has helped thousands of university students clarify their career journeys.
What are the top five dysfunctional beliefs students have about their future?
Myth #1 — My major equals my career.
Fact — 75% of university graduates in the United States are working in a career field not directly related to their undergraduate major.²
“Don’t try to pick a major based on what you think it’s going to lead to in terms of a job. Pick a major that you’re really interested in. Chances are you are going to do better because you’re interested in it or passionate about the area.
Being successful in college is far more important than trying to craft out a linear connection to a future career when that’s probably not a reality.” ³
Myth #2 —My first major is my “forever major,” and my first job is my “forever job.”
Fact — 70% of students who enter college enter as undeclared.
In 2020 the average job tenure in the United States was only four years. Recent graduates average about two years in their first job.
“College has a way of teaching us more about ourselves, what we’re good at, what we’re not. An important part of college is for students to grow and change and in some cases change their minds.
We like to normalize the fact that exploration and re-exploration is a very normal part of college.” ³
Myth #3 — I will have less than five jobs in my lifetime.
Fact — Employees in the United States have an average of twelve significant jobs after college.
“You are going to do lots of different things over your lifetime. The career landscape is constantly changing. We are limited by our awareness of what’s currently available, and of what is going to be available as the economy changes the nature of work.
Who would’ve ever thought that you could be an Uber driver or a podcast host or a social media manager? Because those things weren’t around 20 years ago.” ³
Myth #4 — There is only one perfect career for me.
Fact — Students have limited awareness of the jobs that exist.
There may be as many as 25–30 different careers that fit a student’s interests, skillsets, work and life values, and workplace preferences.
“There’s not just one perfect career. As you grow and change and life happens to you your priorities change.
We are constantly trying to help students understand that there is more than one way your life could unfold that would be happy and meaningful to you.” ³
Myth #5 — I should have it all figured out by now!
Fact — Unless you are in a field that requires professional preparation programs (pre-law, pre-med, engineering, etc.), you don’t need to know job number twelve yet.
Put your efforts into how to take the next step in your career journey.
“One of my favorite things to ask parents is, ‘how many of you are still on Plan A from 18-years-old?’
In a room of hundred people, two people sheepishly put up their hands. For most of us, that’s not the way it goes. Thank goodness because what I thought I wanted to do and who I thought I was at 18 is very different than the life I have now that I love.
A different way of preparing a student is to have a strong sense of direction, a strong sense of self, and a strong sense of purpose. Ask ‘what kind of difference do they wanna make in the world?’
Having a good sense of direction for one’s life really prepares one to be able to navigate the career landscape well.” ³
Takeaway
“Figuring out your future is not a math equation with one right answer. It is more akin to an adventure to be lived. That adventure will take you in places that you may not expect, but a good mentor can help prepare you for the journey.” ³
Footnotes
¹ To listen to the entire conversation, subscribe to the WorkPlay Solutions Podcast.
- Ep. 49 | College & Career Myths — Part 1 of 2 — Dr. Marc Hunsaker
- Ep. 50 | College & Career Myths — Part 2 of 2 — Dr. Marc Hunsaker
² Dr. Hunsaker is living proof. He was an English major with a focus on literature and Shakespeare studies. Not exactly a direct path to Dean of Personal and Professional Development.
³ All quotes in this article are from Dr. Marc Hunsaker, edited for length and clarity.
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