To The Editor:
After reading Kate Cota’s article Business Students Get the Jobs, Liberal Arts Students Get the Education (1/25/07) it has become apparent that her accusations are entirely misguided. As a student of the Dolan School of Business, I feel it is necessary to enlighten Cota – as she does not believe a business student would ever consider “giving back to the world.”
First and foremost, I was surprised to learn of the rivalry between business and liberal arts students. Until Cota’s article outwardly bashed and generalized the majority of the school, I thought the two groups were on fairly amicable terms. Perhaps this rivalry is one-sided – but either way I congratulate Cota for voicing one of her passions.
As a child, I envisioned being a teacher. While I love children, this career path would leave me unsatisfied as an adult. I have attended Jesuit institutions for four years, to obtain a well-rounded education. I completed the same cumbersome core as the liberal arts students. In fact, I was able to study art in Florence, Italy – the birthplace of the Renaissance – instead of painting in the basement of Loyola.
In the last several years of my life, I made a more informed decision. I now know that my passion lies in Information Systems. This is undoubtedly my first point. I consider one of the beauties of this world to be the billions of unique individuals. I respect and admire talented artists and scientists, but their talents and passions vary from mine. Not everyone in the world has the same passion as Cota and it is extremely egotistical for her to think the world would be a better place if we did. Cota must realize that it is quite possible for a business student to follow their dreams, although their business attire may be deceiving.
Cota’s tone throughout her article communicates disgust towards business, but I ask her to imagine the state of the world if it did not exist. Charities and non-profit organizations funded by private corporations would surely suffer with the elimination of their resources.
In regards to Cota’s accusation that many business school graduates will not understand the poverty and injustices of the world, the business school incorporates the effects of globalization into nearly every course. To be honest, we cannot escape it. As for “giving back,” my most memorable business courses were when I helped underprivileged children in Bridgeport learn how to use computers on a weekly basis or the current project where my class is designing a database for a pediatric asthma program, also based in Bridgeport. Business students give back to the community, it is simply through a different avenue than those participating in the liberal arts.
There are no “guaranteed” jobs when you take the “easy route” and attend the business school. The interviews in New York City that Cota refers to are surprisingly part of a competitive process students must participate in to obtain a job. Anyone who believes the majority of graduates from the business school will have a starting salary to afford a new Lexus is terribly na’ve.
The most alarming paragraph from Cota encourages students of the arts and sciences to not congratulate their peers when finally signing with a company after working hard. Personally, I question her character. While she claims to be compassionate, she cannot show kindness, even to those around her.
If Cota spent a little more time acquainting herself with the business school and its students, rather then making ignorant accusations, she would see that the business school could be used as a tool to promote positive change. While she moves towards graduation, I hope that she recognizes her shortsightedness, as it will not contribute to any atmosphere, both in business or the liberal arts. (My apologies for using the “G” word, but I suppose I can. I am a business major and according to Cota, ALL business majors already have jobs.)
I sincerely wish every student at Fairfield University good luck in pursuing their passions and dreams, although I am fairly certain they will vary from my own.
Sincerely,
Diane Fields ’07
Leave a Reply