IT'S BIGGER THAN THE SPICE ROUTE

As increased global competition has caused the job market to reach a boiling point, a recent poll conducted at the University of South Florida sought to gather information about students' perspectives on globalization. Escalating competition demands a growing economic awareness on the part of the future job force.

The students polled had majors ranging from criminology to nursing. The majority of students watched the news 1-2 times a week and affirmed that the internet was the most prevalent form of news today.

Almost all of the students polled believe that globalization will affect their future careers and are willing to relocate in order to find work. Knowing a second language is regarded as a positive attribute that will contribute to job placement.

Those who are pre-med or nursing majors feel that globalization will not affect their field and are less likely to relocate. Yet are they aware that a growing number of Americans are going to other countries for cheaper surgeries?

When asked if globalization should be seen as a positive or negative force, 75 percent of the students believe that it is a positive force because it unifies different cultures and helps to break down the 'us vs. them' mentality. Fifteen percent felt that it was beneficial for developing countries but harmful for countries with larger economies, and 10 percent did not know what the term 'globalization' meant.

When asked what signs of globalization students saw on a day-to-day basis, the answers provided insight as to the shallow knowledge of this topic. One nursing major said, “I don't see many signs,” while an international studies major said, “Different food options, technologies, and fashion” were the most noticeable signs of globalization. The majority of the answers were outsourcing, ethnic food and no response.

The culmination of this evidence leads to the belief that most students are not grasping the weight of this new economic model and its implications. Globalization is seen more as a positive wind of change that is combining cultures and breaking down mental barriers.

While the poll showed overwhelming willingness to adapt to new locations after graduation, it also illustrated that the majority of students did not view the increasing competition as a serious threat to their future employment. An overall attitude of embracing change seems to be the general consensus among college students.

With the inundation of technology that these generations grew up with, it is no wonder that globalization seems to be the only evident direction in which to head. Yet, is the attitude too nonchalant? Are the ramifications of globalization seriously being considered, and is the proper preparation taking place?

Students are required to take two semesters of a college-level foreign language, but is this knowledge taken further than the classroom and being put into practice? American students may be at a disadvantage once they enter the workforce if the overall blasé attitude towards globalization continues to prevail.

While other countries have upped the ante in the educational realm, the United States is severely lagging behind in student expectations. College students must do their part to enhance their knowledge of current affairs if they are to stay afloat in the world's job market once they graduate.

Globalization is bigger than Chinese food and Indian fashion. It is more complex than what an international studies major refers to as “one, big, diversified world.” It is best that students recognize what they are really up against, while they are still in the classroom.