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I think everyone is familiar with the Kevin Bacon “Six Degrees” concept. As a refresher, he believes that everyone is connected to everyone else by no more than six individuals. For the most part, the theory has proven true. What I like is when it drops to one or two “degrees” depending upon the contact. For example, I “served at the pleasure of” two U.S. Presidents, and three U.S. Secretaries of State. All were very impressive, and as we would say on our protective details, “I would take a bullet for any of them.”
Another example of connecting is what is colloquially referred to as your personal network. This is where your friends and acquaintances help you, from car and home repairs, to a ride home when you need it, or even help to haul in a new couch (sometimes referred to as “friend abuse”). But a network can also help you find work, or an even better job. This is one of the advantages of a college education. You will make friends with other classmates who are on the same career path as you. Those late night study sessions before tests as well as other class-related stresses build strong relationships that often last a lifetime. And those “contacts” are often influential.
Major corporations and companies post open positions, and look at all of the applications. One of your “network” contacts may work for that company and if they know you need a job, they will let you know to apply. A more important fact: the majority of new hires are usually selected from current employee personal recommendations. This is because the company knows the work ethic and capability of their existing employee, and makes a calculated guess that someone from their “alma mater” will have those same work traits, making the new hire a “safer bet.”
The book “Work Rules” by the HR director of Google, notes the company tries to hire new employees that are ready to contribute on day one. Most employees are hired by a company with the realization they are, at most, only 50% capable and therefore will need 2 to 3 years of additional training to reach even the 80% level of job effectiveness. Google tries to avoid these early years of “lost work” by hiring only people who are at the 80% level on day one. Because of this hiring requirement, the HR department will review around 1 million applications a year, and hire only a small fraction. But, the company is extremely successful as a result.
College graduates have not only the academic knowledge to be successful, but during those years of schooling they develop skills in conducting research, working in a team environment, resilience and the ability to “stick to it” when given an assignment. Just the things a company wants in any employee. College instills these skills almost 24/7 for the duration to earn the diploma, and makes you attractive to their HR department.
The U.S. Departments of Education, Commerce and Labor, forecast that 70% of jobs across the country will require education beyond high school by 2027. There are over 400,000 Oklahomans who have some college credit but didn’t finish the degree. The Oklahoma “Reach Higher” program is your ticket for financial help to completion. Whether you are starting new, or trying to finish, please consider visiting the University Center in Ponca City for help in course guidance and with the forms for grants and scholarships. Remember: In life, it’s You vs. You. Make sure YOU WIN.
At the University Center, our commitment is to develop high levels of quality relationships with our students. Our support staff works tirelessly to make sure that student needs are met and that our professors have the tools necessary to provide a high-quality education.
We hope you will stop by the University Center and speak with us about the opportunities available to you. We have a dedicated staff ready to provide you with the tools to start your journey to earn a degree in higher education. The University Center is committed to bringing degree programs to Ponca City that our students need to be effective in a global economy. We have a strong desire to see each of our students succeed and be ready to make a positive economic impact in our region.
We encourage you to begin today, and let us be the first to say, “Welcome to your future.” Please enjoy your visit to the University Center at Ponca City. To find out more about our programs, visit us online at www.ucponcacity.com