Study: Careers Uncertain

A survey of 841 U.S. college students conducted over the Internet found that 64 percent of respondents expect to change careers three or more times. The survey appeared on a Web site for KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, a professional services firm, and was part of a continuing series of weekly on-line polls.

Harvard students interviewed yesterday about their future plans tend to be more conservative in their estimates of career changes, but most anticipate at least one change.

"I think I'll probably change twice," said Gabrielle V. Novacek '99, who is presently applying to both law school and graduate school in Middle Eastern archeology. "I'm trying to keep my bases covered."

Other students look forward to four or more careers.

"I already know I want to go into the military, so that's one," said Stuart A.M. Szabo '02, who anticipates at least four careers. "I'm also one of those rare Harvard students considering investment banking, and that's two careers right there."

Many students feel that being at Harvard makesthem less sure of which career they will pursue.

"Harvard teaches you how to think and then youcan do anything," said Daniel A. Cousin '00, whoanticipates only one change. "After that, it'slike career plasticity."

Other students think that having attendedHarvard makes career choices more definite.

"Being here makes you really think about whatyou want to do, just because it's so intense andhard-core," said Serre-Yu Wong '01, who hopes topursue her interest in public health.

Some Harvard students may feel like they arerelatively set on their career choices, but mosthave already discarded a wide range of possiblejobs.

"I used to want to be an Indian and a streetperformer," said Cousin, who plans on attendingmedical school. "That will have to be in additionto being a doctor."

"I thought I wanted to be a waitress when I wasreally little," said Fana Gebeyehu-Houston '00."Then I wanted to be an environmental scientist. Ihave no idea what I want to do now."

According to Gail E. Gilmore, assistantdirector at the Office of Career Services,students today are switching careers more than thestudents of past generations.

"The way companies are set up today, thereisn't necessarily the hierarchical structure andopportunity for advancement that there used tobe," Gilmore said.

"In addition, new jobs are evolving intechnology and Web design that just weren't aroundten years ago," she added.

Gilmore suggested that being a Harvard studentcould make staying in one career a challenge.

"Sometimes it is difficult for Harvard studentswho are multi-talented and multi-potentialed toenvision a career with only one organization," shesaid.

"People who can't integrate varied interestswill sequence and pursue different careers so theydon't feel stifled," she said.

For some students, future career plans are nottheir main concern.

"I think Harvard makes you more sure thatyou'll get a job, but it doesn't make you morefocused," Gebeyehu-Houston said. "Now I just wantto get through my midterms."

Students wishing to participate in futurequestions posed by the KPMG Peat Marwick LLP pollcan visit www.kpmgcampus.com

Many students feel that being at Harvard makesthem less sure of which career they will pursue.

"Harvard teaches you how to think and then youcan do anything," said Daniel A. Cousin '00, whoanticipates only one change. "After that, it'slike career plasticity."

Other students think that having attendedHarvard makes career choices more definite.

"Being here makes you really think about whatyou want to do, just because it's so intense andhard-core," said Serre-Yu Wong '01, who hopes topursue her interest in public health.

Some Harvard students may feel like they arerelatively set on their career choices, but mosthave already discarded a wide range of possiblejobs.

"I used to want to be an Indian and a streetperformer," said Cousin, who plans on attendingmedical school. "That will have to be in additionto being a doctor."

"I thought I wanted to be a waitress when I wasreally little," said Fana Gebeyehu-Houston '00."Then I wanted to be an environmental scientist. Ihave no idea what I want to do now."

According to Gail E. Gilmore, assistantdirector at the Office of Career Services,students today are switching careers more than thestudents of past generations.

"The way companies are set up today, thereisn't necessarily the hierarchical structure andopportunity for advancement that there used tobe," Gilmore said.

"In addition, new jobs are evolving intechnology and Web design that just weren't aroundten years ago," she added.

Gilmore suggested that being a Harvard studentcould make staying in one career a challenge.

"Sometimes it is difficult for Harvard studentswho are multi-talented and multi-potentialed toenvision a career with only one organization," shesaid.

"People who can't integrate varied interestswill sequence and pursue different careers so theydon't feel stifled," she said.

For some students, future career plans are nottheir main concern.

"I think Harvard makes you more sure thatyou'll get a job, but it doesn't make you morefocused," Gebeyehu-Houston said. "Now I just wantto get through my midterms."

Students wishing to participate in futurequestions posed by the KPMG Peat Marwick LLP pollcan visit www.kpmgcampus.com