Career Services

As parents, families, and friends, you might encounter a situation with your student and his or her decisions around their future. For every decision, there are many pros and cons. Below are links to common dilemmas students face and possible pros and cons you can discuss with them. This resource can help you support your student work through tough decisions they are facing.

Should I take time off of college if I am unsure what I want to do?

Should I take a year off in between graduating and going to graduate school?

Should I take an extra year or two to graduate?

Should I consider volunteer and service work after I graduate?

Should I travel abroad while I am enrolled at Oregon State University?

Dilemma: Should I take time off of college if I am unsure what I want to do?

Pros:

• Time to reevaluate your goals, dreams, and aspirations
• Work and save money for when you are ready to return
• Gain experience in a new career field
• Get experience in a way that motivates you to return to college and helps you feel more purpose-filled

Cons:

• Lose motivation to return to college or get involved in something that keeps you away from pursuing your degree
• May not have a plan for what you will do with your time off
• Funding may not be availible when you want to return to school
• There is no guarantee that one year away from college will give you more clarity of your future

Dilemma: Should I take a year off in between graduating and going to graduate school?

Pros:

• Gain additional experience in the field you are going to pursue
• Take time to travel or trying something new
• Use the opportunity to better refine your application materials and make you a more competitive candidate
• Spend time giving back through volunteer work
• Secure financial support for school

Cons:

• Loss of motivation to return to school
• Getting side traked by new experiences in life
• Challenges around the ability to compile all of the documents needed from OSU when you are away
• Finances may change and prevent you from returning to school
• Increase your transitional challenges when returning to school, finding it hard to get back in the flow of academic life

Dilemma: Should I take an extra year or two to graduate?

Pros:

• Allow you to improve your grades and/or retake classes
• Grant you more access to academic support as well as Career Services
• Gives you time to refine your job application materials
• Time to pursue other activies or involvement opportunities that make you stand out in the job market

Cons:

• Allowing potential employment opportunities to pass by
• Accruing more debt and/or expenses
• Loss of motivation after being in school for so long
• Witnessing your friends and peers move on to new things in their lives may be frustrating

Dilemma: Should I consider volunteer and service work after I graduate?

Pros:

• Giving back to the community
• Serving diverse individuals in various locations
• Marketable experience when you're seeking employment
• Expenses are usually covered when you go through a recognizable program
• Chance for self-exploration

Cons:

• Little to no pay while you volunteer
• Expecation that you are mobile, able to travel to various locations
• Homesickness
• Limited access to technology
• Potential career opportunities given to other individuals

Dilemma: Should I travel abroad while I am enrolled at Oregon State University?

Pros:

• OSU's International Programs Office is committed to supporting students and giving them access to student abroad opportunities
• Chance to immerse yourself in a different culture
• Different courses may be available to enroll in while abroad that make you more marketable
• Chance to learn more about yourself and flex your independence

Cons:

• Going abroad might prolong your time in undergrad
• It can be expensive to study abroad
• It may force you to leave behind activities and positions of leadership while you are away
• Academic challenges can arise from trying to learn in a different country which could affect your academic standing and/or overall GPA

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