Studying in the classroom does not necessarily correlate with actual work in the job field. The theories and concepts introduced in the classroom are in place to provide students with the necessary knowledge and basic skills to enter the job field. Yet, once in the job field, students may find that their actual experience is quite different than what they experienced in the classroom.

Employees are Measured by Performance and Results, Not Grades

Entry level positions within the job field a quite different the the classroom because of the difference in expectations. The expectations within the classroom are for students to retain information and research topics, delivering term papers and presentations based upon a given criteria. However, the job field has an expectation of entry level employees to deliver results based upon performance that is directly related to the skills and knowledge that the employees bring to the workplace. In the classroom, it is for a grade, while the job field is about tangible results like profit margins.

Classroom Skills Should Translate into Job Field Capabilities

No matter what the subject matter is, students are expected to have the ability to translate what they learn and retain from the classroom into real life applications. For instance, studying for a pharmacy degree should help students provide accurate delivery of prescriptions to clients.

Initiative is Rewarded and Respected in the Job Field

While in school, students are directed by the instructor. Assignments are given in writing and to the last letter, spelling out what is expected and how it will graded. The job field is quite different in that employees are expected to use critical thinking skills to solve problems without direction. Whether it is a customer service job or something more technical, employers want employees who have initiative and can get to a workable solution without a lot of hand holding.

Teamwork is Central in the Job Field

The classroom setting oftentimes has students teamed up to complete major projects, but the job field also expects such cooperative skills along with the ability to work successfully on their own. Numerous jobs require employees to work on teams for specific projects. Yet, many of these same jobs evaluate each employee’s individual contribution to the project and based upon the feedback provided by project team members.

Students need to meet the expectations of the classroom, while preparing for quite different expectations in the job field.

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance  writer. She lives in Raleigh. Savannah loves to read and write and she hopes to write a novel someday. Savannah also loves learning and is a self-proclaimed health guru. Savannah got information for this from the University of Florida, a University that offers online pharmd programs.