Education is a constantly and rapidly changing field in not only American society but also in the global community. Iowa State has also been changing rapidly in the sense of an ever increasing student body.

Universities such as Iowa State, however, need to constantly make sure that curricula in the majors being offered are changing to meet the needs of the students who are clamoring to get into the programs.

Technology and a world that is coming more globally connected everyday means that many majors need to change what they are teaching, so students can enter into the professional world prepared to meet career expectations.

University curricula is stuck in an age where the Internet, phones and the idea of a global community were just starting to make their way into everyday conversations. Students are not being pushed to learn more languages or HTML and CSS programming. These skills are paramount in today’s workforce in order to continue to climb the ladder in nearly any career.

On top of that, learning basic research skills is a concept that barely makes an appearance in any classroom, even though it’s becoming more difficult each day for individuals to recognize what is or is not a credible source of information. Knowing how to navigate the online world properly, write for the Internet and ferret out factual information in a world that is filled with inaccuracies are necessary tools. Most importantly, students need to be taught how to think critically and ask questions to become life-long learners.

Another important skill students need to develop is the ability to keep up with the incredibly fast pace of our changing world. Employers are looking for applicants who know how to pitch new ideas and can think ahead of what’s coming next. This is paramount in a society that is working every day to keep up with the rapidly changing technology being used in almost every career field.

To put it simply, students must be taught how to compete in a world that is much larger than it used to be. They will be candidates for fewer jobs with an ever widening pool of applicants, not from just down the street, but from around the world. Students need to be multi-skilled for nearly any career and unbelievably flexible in what they are able to accomplish with their degree.

Iowa State needs to be working, and quickly, on ways to be ahead of what students will need in their future jobs, not playing catch-up to changes. This is what will continue to set not only the university apart, but also its graduates. 

Trying to guess what students will need to know in the future is most certainly a difficult task, but one that is necessary if Iowa State hopes to continue to produce high quality graduates that will stand out in the progressing global workforce of tomorrow.

If students are incapable of finding the classes, or the faculty, that will push them to remain competitive when they begin the job search, then it is up to each student to take it upon themselves to grow on their own. Numerous classes can be found online and outside of the University that will supply students with opportunities to gain skills that will make their resumes more appealing to any employer.

The main thing to remember is that just because you or the university is waiting to make those changes happen doesn’t mean that someone else isn’t already taking those steps.

And by the time you are turning in your application, it’ll already be too late.