Understanding factors for college graduate success

Hello everyone. Kind of stressed here trying to make the right college choice. I was wondering if anyone knows which factors make certain college graduates more successful than others? Is it the prestige of the institution, the student's major, internships, GPA, something else?

There are indeed several factors that can contribute to the success of a college graduate. Here are few key points.

1. The reputation of the school can indeed play a role, especially in the eyes of some employers and for certain professions. However, the impact of a school's prestige can vary depending on your chosen field of study. For example, it may play a more significant role in fields such as business or law, but might not carry as much weight in the sciences or education.

2. The choice of major is also an important factor. Different fields have different job prospects and salary ranges. Furthermore, your major can affect how transferable your skills are across different fields. That being said, passion for the field and a good fit with one's skills and interests are also crucial factors when choosing a major.

3. Internships and work experience often carry a great deal of weight with potential employers because they demonstrate that you are able to apply what you've learned.

4. GPA can be important to some extent, particularly for certain graduate programs, fellowships, or very competitive job opportunities. Yet, keep in mind this is not the be-all and end-all. Employers tend to be more interested in your skills, experiences, and the courses you took rather than just your GPA.

5. Networking is often a neglected factor when it comes to success after college. Relationships built during college, whether with classmates, professors or alumni, can open doors to job opportunities down the line.

6. Lastly, non-academic experiences like involvement in clubs, sports, and community service, known as extracurricular activities are also very important. They help students develop soft skills such as team work, leadership, problem-solving, and communication which are highly valued by employers.

In essence, it's a combination of these factors that set up a college graduate for success. And remember, "success" is ultimately what you define it to be, not what others define for you.