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At 23 years old, graduating from the University of Central Florida with my bachelor's in philosophy and a double minor in women's studies and political science was not only the highlight of my academic career, but of my life.
Never in my entire existence had I felt such clarity or purpose, and it was because I received an education I was passionate about. I learned theories and ideologies I could take with me outside of the classroom and actively put them into practice.
I felt this way not only because I graduated with a 3.9 GPA and a clear plan to get into law school, but because I knew when I walked across that stage that I had done something meaningful with the previous four years of my life. When I was immersed into the wonderful world of academia, I made a commitment to myself to make it count. And I did.
Utilizing all my access, privilege and opportunity to the fullest extent, I completed an internship with Sen. Bill Nelson, acted as a liaison for the women's studies program alongside Kathleen Oliver, was a professor's assistant for Introduction to Philosophy Honors alongside Jennifer Lisa Vest, an instructor's assistant for Third Wave Feminism alongside Leandra Preston, was vice president of our campus National Organization for Women as well as program coordinator for Animal Safehouse.
Four months after graduation, I was still committed to continuing my role as a member of UCF's academic community, so I volunteered to help facilitate the New Women's Studies Faculty Reception on Sept. 21, 2009.
During this time, I was facing the worst financial bind I had ever experienced. I had been in and out of Career Services, was seeking guidance from past professors and advisers, sifted through every classified ad and online career site I could get my hands on and still, nothing.
Therefore, after the reception, I took some time to introduce myself to President Hitt in order to express the lack of guidance and interest in my well-being that his very university demonstrated post-graduation and pre-law school.
When I told him about my past academic endeavors, including my major and minors, he suggested that, although it was "great" I took courses that were meaningful or interesting, perhaps I should have chosen a path with more economic demand.
He then directed me to send him an e-mail reminding him about our conversation so he could offer some assistance.
In my e-mail, written Sept. 21, 2009, I wrote to President Hitt as someone with great respect and prestige at one of the biggest universities in the nation asking for some guidance.
I was so distraught that I was starting to feel that UCF did not have any concern for my success or well-being because I am no longer paying tuition.
I did not want to think that the academy to which I have devoted the past five years of my life had become such a business that they could not help one of their alumni even when she is attempting to give back what she has gained from her education there.
I had immense regard for President Hitt's role in making UCF what it is today, and this was why I decided to approach him with this request, fully aware of how incredibly busy he must be.
The bottom line is I have yet to receive a response. Have students become just another commodity for a multi-million dollar industry? And when there are students like me who actively learn something and take advantage of the resources provided, I am told that I should have majored in what — business?
I can only assume that my lack of status on the hierarchical totem pole of academia is not prestigious enough to deserve a follow-up. Or President Hitt was just too busy.
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16 comments
a) She said that she wanted to go to law school yet she's seeking UCF's help to get a job. Shouldn't she have applied to law schools and not be worried about jobs at this point? She should be on her way to continuing her education in law school. Here are additional flaws:
a) She does not suggest how UCF should help her. Yes she wants a job, but what does UCF need to do in order to help her get one? If somebody told me to find a job for a women's studies major I wouldn't know where to start. Should the teachers be required to tell the students on the first day of class that you're likely in a dead end major?
b) She glorifies president Hitt. Do you realize that his main job is to hire people who actually do work? For instance, he didn't lead the development of our Medical school, Dr. German did. President's Hitt's job is just to be a pretty face that talks like a politician and gets UCF donations.
c) I have a Masters in Engineering from a more prestigious school than UCF and a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from UCF. I also have 2 years of work experience, had countless of projects, 3 internships while in college, and I worked 2 jobs during college. I also had a 3.8 in a major much more difficult than Women Studies. It took me 1 year to find a job after I was laid off. She's been searching for 4 months and has already written an article. Sadly, the blame does lie on her for not understanding that there is no career path in women's studies. A 3.9 isn't exactly a prized GPA in those programs. Some UCF programs like Elementary education and liberal studies boast an average GPA of 3.7 as shown on UCF's recent report on what programs to eliminate. Your actual career path with that major, no matter what your GPA, will likely be burger flipper. Take the LSAT and apply for law school. Otherwise you're simply screwed.
I wish I had read this before the open forum last week.