Recognizing Your Skills – And Using Them Too

Earlier this year, with my graduation date looming, I struggled to find meaning in my Sociology degree. Where would it take me? Who was going to hire me? What transferable skills had I gained in my four years at Wilfrid Laurier University?

When I started university, I had a naive outlook on “the real world”. I assumed I would graduate with my degree, land a job that required that specific degree, use all of the classes I took in university, and live happily ever after. I seriously thought that was how university worked. As I progressed through my undergrad, I realized how wrong my assumptions were. I realized that you can’t expect to graduate university with a clear cut job title; a degree like Sociology is open to interpretation.

When fourth year rolled around, I started to feel the pressure. I was told by a career counsellor that “employers hire people, not degrees” but kept thinking that my Sociology degree could only land me a “sociologist’s job”. I was completely lost. I had acquired a wide variety of skills throughout my time at Laurier and knew that I was a hireable candidate for many jobs – I just didn’t know where to start. I knew if given the opportunity, I had the ability to prove myself to an employer, but didn’t know how to get that chance.

Three months ago I landed my first “real job” out of university with Studentawards.com as a bilingual scholarship administrator. I absolutely hit the jackpot – graduating during a recession was hardly motivating. Over the past three months, I have surprised myself with how often I use the skills I acquired throughout my undergrad years. The courses I took at Laurier, the papers I wrote, the exams I conquered (and didn’t conquer), the friendships I made, the studying I did, the professors I met...everything has led me to where I am today and shaped the person I am. I’ve realized that everything I learned in university is valuable in one way or another.

I have to admit, when September rolled around (the first September in 18 years that I wasn’t going back to school) I felt nostalgic. I missed the student lifestyle and the feeling of being a student. I missed the feeling I always had on the first day of school and the excitement of starting new classes. I missed the look of campus in the fall and the late-night gossip sessions with my roommates.

Eventually, that feeling changed and I am no longer jealous of the students who are sleeping through class and cramming for exams. I like being part of the adult working world. I wake up a little too early, pour myself a hot coffee and head out the door with the skills I’ll always have from my time in university.

Contributor: Ericka L
Employer: Studentawards Inc.

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