Most Worthwhile College Courses

As mentioned in yesterday's post, the college major that you choose is really less important than everyone makes it out to be. The most important thing that a college degree tells a prospective employer is that you are hard-working and diligent enough to persevere, that you are humble enough to follow the rules, and that you are socially savvy enough to "work the system."

In light of this fact, I actually am in favor of a revolution in the way that universities structure their degree programs. I'm of the opinion that students should have more freedom and flexibility in the courses that they select.

Even if universities don't allow you to customize your entire degree program, most of them do offer you quite a few choices via a general education curriculum. And, of course, you also have electives.

So, which courses will give you a head start in your career and make you a more enticing job candidate? Here's my take:

1. Introduction to Business - Learn the basics of business.
2. P.E. Classes - Take as many as you can cram in your schedule: Yoga, Ballet, Running, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Pilates, etc. Exercise is good for your mind and your body - and will help you look and feel good, which will, in turn, land you more job opportunities.
3. Psych 101 - Yes, taking psychology will help you understand people better. But, more importantly, Psych 101 will provide you with great conversation fodder.
4. Public Speaking, Speech Communication, or Acting - If you're scared of speaking in groups (whether large or small), now is the perfect opportunity to face your fears. Successful people know how to communicate. Period.
5. A good dose of English classes - Writing is an important skill for almost any job and English courses will force you to hone that skill. Plus, being well-read and bookish makes people think you are intelligent (and, of course, you do get more intelligent the more you read). Finally, you really should be able to recognize famous lines from Shakespeare, Frost, Dickinson, and the like.
6. Foreign Language - Don't forget that the business environment is becoming extremely global. It helps to be fluent in a foreign language. Added bonus: if you're fluent, it's likely that you'll have more job prospects and that you will be paid more money.

(Picture by: myyogaonline)