College / Physician Assistant

[aznronin]

Do you ever feel like college is basically taking classes and taking exams that make up your GPA? Which kinda makes me feel that shouldn't be a judgement of our capability?

Does college really prepare you for a career or job in the future?

Are these degrees we are working towards act as a disguise or a mask that forces us into thinking that's our job description forever?

Is anyone here a Physician Assistant major here? And if so, can you talk about how's it like? What jobs are there for you?

[KillAndChill]

College prepares you for life after school. If you want job experience then get an internship or co-op.

[MrTwilliger]

I can 't talk about "Collage", as I'm Australian and I guess our system would be slightly different. But I'll share my thoughts on my after-school studying.

I studied for about 2&1/2 years, getting a diploma in Systems Administrations and next year I'm going to University for further studies. I found that, in my experiences, studying simply teaches you the skills, expertise and thought processes that you need to tackle roles in the future of your chosen industry. With these skills you are able to walk into industry and work competently, although there's still a lot you must obviously be taught. As long as your paying attention and learning there's really not all too much you should have to worry about (although I guess this will be suspect to the specific industry one chooses).

When I was doing corporate work I found that most of my job was using simple common sense to achieve my goals. Talking to clients in a respectful manner, dealing with the "water-cooler" office drama without getting caught up in it, knowing which manager I needed to talk to when I wanted to get my own way, effectively leading my team and motivating them to be productive; it's all common sense and it doesn't take long to figure it all out. I found that the better employees were not better due to their technical knowledge or skills, rather their ability to communicate and socialise. But that's a point for another day.

Long story short yes, after-school study will help prepare you for future work. If you still feel inadequate go get a part time job and experience what office culture is like. At the end of the day we are just a collective group of people working towards a common goal, what's so hard about that?

[Goseki]

PA - You have a lot of choices as what you can do. You will need a LOT of shadowing experience hours though when you apply. As a PA, you can do specialties and whatnots.

College is all about can you still work while distracted. Can you work as an independent person now. Can you network, can you handle the basic classes. I mean if you fail basic bio, medicine might be a bit uphillish.

I'd write more but my pinky is broken so meh.

[BuDo]

Colleges and Universities are great but I find that they give you a moderate familiarity of what to expect in your chosen career. They prepare you to deal with the issues of your future career in a generic way rather than a specific way. Mainly because of how their teachings are structured. About 80% of what you've learn in college doesn't have any applicable use in the workplace...Just look at some of the courses you had to take and you'll see what I mean.....They at best prepare to you stay focus and competent as someone already mentioned..