A myth is a widely held, but false belief or idea. Do they exist on campus? Of course. Did you hear the one about the underground tunnel that goes all the way from Lower to Upper Campus? đ Our team consistently hears myths about career education spreading around campus. Because we donât want any of these false ideas to hold you back, Iâm here to bust a few myths to help open doors for you.
Myth: You need to have everything figured out before going to the Career Center.
This is 100% not true. We want to help you figure it out, itâs why weâre here! In fact, many of our services and programs are designed to help students who have no idea what they want to do. We have an entire team of coaches dedicated to career exploration. All we ask is that you come to our office and events with an open mind and ready to engage in the process.
Myth: Your major is going to directly lead to your career.
Unlikely. Did you know that only 27% of college grads have a job related to their major? For a majority of job opportunities, it will not matter what you majored in. The competencies employers are most seeking in their entry-level candidates are not major-specific and every class you take is helping you to build these necessary skills.
Donât believe me? Take a look at our first destination data to see where BC students get jobs after graduation. There is a lot of variety by major.
Long story, shortâselect a major that suits your interests. Donât push yourself into a major that does not interest you because you believe it will have better job prospects. It wonât set you up for success in the long run. If youâre feeling stuck, schedule an appointment with one of our career exploration coaches and they can help you with selecting a major thatâs right for you and your long-term goals.
Myth: Most employers and graduate schools are looking for you to take certain classes or join certain clubs.
Again, mostly false. See above. The truth is that there is no magical ârightâ path to take that will automatically get you that dream job or into your top choice school. Instead of focusing on what will “look good”, focus on what interests you.
So go explore! Try out for that dance team, take a history of pop culture class, audition for an upcoming play, or join the Baking Club (this would be my personal choice). All of these experiences can help you present your best and true self to prospective employers and graduate schools.
Myth: Internships are the only way to gain experience employers want.
A formal internship is not the only way to gain professional experience. There are lots of different ways to explore careers, gain experience, and build skills. Depending on your long-term goals, you may find youâre interested in pursuing alternative experiences such as research, volunteering, part-time jobs, or skill-building courses. Our Summer Experience Dashboard details the wide range of opportunities BC students pursue over the summer. I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our career coaches to discuss what would be the best fit for you.
Myth: You need to apply to 100 positions to get a job.
No, you donât. The old saying âwork smarter, not harderâ applies well here. While yes, casting a wide net may result in an interview invitation, it is not the best strategy to take. If youâre applying to dozens of jobs in a day, you probably arenât putting together the best application you can for each position. Am I right? Your time will be much better spent putting together 3 great applications than 12 cookie cutter ones.
Take time to reflect on the types of positions you are truly interested in. Make a list of criteria that youâre looking for in potential opportunities (industry, job function, company values, salary, location, remote work options, etc.). When you find opportunities that match your criteria, spend time putting together a quality application. Do your research so you can write a tailored resume and cover letter, then have it reviewed by a career coach during drop-in hours. By doing this you are greatly increasing your chance of success because employers are looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in the role and their organization.
Check out our Jobs and Internships pages for resources to help you find opportunities and put together a strong application that will get noticed.
Myth: You donât need to think about your career or post-grad plans until junior or senior year.
100% not true. While we absolutely donât expect (or even want) you to have everything figured out on day one of your first year, it is important to start your career journey earlyâprimarily because we donât want you to miss out on any potential opportunities to discover what brings you joy, what you are good at, and what the world needs you to be. Depending on the industry youâre interested in, recruiting timelines can start as early as sophomore year.
Even if you are a junior or senior, there is still time to start! I invite you to meet with a career coach, explore our programs and events, and utilize our virtual resources. If youâre a sophomore or junior, consider participating in Endeavor in January. It is a great first step to take.
If youâve gleaned anything from this article, I hope itâs that you understand that everything you do at BC is helping you to explore your interests, build skills, and prepare you for your future careerâwhatever that may look like. Our office is here to help you connect the dots and develop a plan. So start early, visit us often, and donât listen to these common myths!
Boston College Career Center Blog 
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