Is a college degree necessary to be successful in the Clinical Lab

For this assignment, you will investigate in some depth a major field, present or aspirational. You will conduct your investigation using library research, web-based inquiry, and field research, such as an interview with a specialist or professional in your prospective field.

In a thesis driven essay, using at least two modes of discourse (comparison/contrast, and/or argument), whether or not a college degree is necessary to be successful in the major/field of study.

**Make sure to use the research compiled (interviews, data, etc.) to help construct an argument.

1. Select a major or major field. Consider that a major is not just a collection of courses leading to a professional credential. It also comprises a way (or ways) of thinking, a set of strategies for problem solving, and a body of knowledge. As part of the assignment, you should address the concepts and principles that make up the foundation of the area of study.

2. Research the field. A major field exists in a social, political, and historical context. It makes certain contributions to the larger society. Investigate the historical, social, and/or political foundations of this particular field of study. What contributions to the larger society has it made already? What contributions to society might it logically hope to make in the future?

3. Investigate the career preparation in the field. A major is intended to prepare students for particular careers. You should investigate the relationship between the college course of study for a particular field and the subsequent work people do in that field.

a. Examine the required courses in the major. Then ask: What is the relationship between what is taught in classes and what is required in an applied work situation? *An interview with a professional or specialist in the area you investigate could be a valuable contribution to this assignment.

b. Some questions you might consider include:

i. What aspect of the coursework seem to be most useful and in what ways?

ii. What sorts of careers do people in this major typically go on to have?

iii. What specifically does the work involve?

4. Conduct career research through your library and online. Learn about careers, specific jobs, and jobs available for specific majors. Use industry-specific job boards and career sites for jobseekers in all

professions, career fields. Find reliable statistics about job projections in the field. You must properly integrate material from three secondary sources into your analysis in a way that gives credit to the authors whose ideas and language you are incorporating. Develop a personal career plan.

5. Write a final report. Each of the elements of the process will involve separate assignments with due dates, peer review, and interim evaluations. Your final essay should demonstrate a synthesis of at least three modes of discourse (description, comparison/contrast, argument, etc.). It should also include applicable data analysis See Essay prompts.