Loyola University - Chicago

Date: Sep 30 2005
Major: Communications (This Major's Salary over time)
I attended Loyola University New Orleans for almost three years, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications six years ago. I found Loyola to be out of touch with the "real world" demand of skills needed in the modern workplace. As a student who had to work to be self-supporting, the school was not structured to accommodate working adults. The labs had limited hours, and I often had to take time off from work to complete my homework assignments. The scheduling of class days and times cater more to kids who don't have to work. Also, the Communications curriculum is so focused on theory, and less focused on teaching you useful skills to succeed in a competitive job market. I would say that three courses were of use to me in learning my field. The numerous other courses were unrelated to my career goals, yet they were required. I didn't know enough at the time to know my options. The career services department is a joke, and only helps you with creating resumes, rather than finding an internship or job in your field. Loyola faculty paints this picture of how their degree will open so many doors for employment, and that is not the case. Nowadays, the employers don't care what college you graduate from, or how great your grades are. Some employers don't even care if you have a degree. Most employers are only concerned with what skills you have, and what you know how to do for them. Loyola needs to focus more on teaching skills that truly relate to the student's field of study, and the student's career goals. I had considered returning to Loyola to "update my skills," but the curriculum has not changed much over the past six years. Depending on where your interests and goals are, I think you should look at other schools out there before making a $100,000+ commitment for four years of your life. If you plan on student loans, that's an additional 10+ years of commitment as it will take that long to pay back the borrowed loans. If you do attend Loyola University in New Orleans, you will most likely have to leave New Orleans after graduation because the job market and economy are not so great.