Moudgil said there are internships available to any student to give them experiences in the real world.

Haynor, who just took her finals for her class in sociology of crime and punishment, took it upon herself to find a job that related to her major.

“I was looking for a job and I decided I should probably get something that would give me experience in what I want to do,” she said.

As a cadet, “I mostly do nonemergencies. I jump-start cars, help with flat tires, check buildings,” Haynor said.

“I put my skills to the test when my cousin didn’t know how to start his car,” she said, laughing.

Now, she is looking forward to the fall when one of her classes is “Homeland Security.” Haynor is originally from Paw Paw but has lived in a residence hall for her freshman year on the 1,500-acre OU campus that straddles Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills.

Haynor said, “right after college, I want to join the Air Force and go into security forces.

“If I don’t make that a career, I may go into something federal,” she said.

Graduates need more than job skills

Moudgil said one of the most important thing a student needs to be successful — no matter what area they are studying — is critical thinking.

“You are developing your critical skills, your ability to analyze a situation and your ability to confront any interest” as opposed to institutions such as trade schools, where the focus is completely on the skills learned.

When somebody comes to OU, Moudgil said, even in biology, undergraduate students can do research and work in all aspects of the lab.

“So even if they become doctors, or run hospital, they have communication skills, critical thinking, historical aspects” and have worked with a culturally diverse team.

“They are not limited to a profession and they can walk into other areas,” Moudgil said.

“When we recruit our faculty, who come with knowledge and expertise in variety of areas, we give them the opportunity to develop and to excite students so they can be in that field.”

Moudgil said it is also important that students have internships and community engagements “so they know the real world and real issues.

“Often they stumble into something (in those situations) and say that is something I want to do.”

Moudgil said department are encouraged to make available to students all the career fields available if they study in that particular field.

“When I was chairman of biology, I listed more than 30-40 professions that someone with biology can look into.

In addition, he thinks students should raise that issue with their faculty advisor who will be able to answer that question.

“I think that dialogue is happening more,” Moudgil said, noting that community involvement has become a priority for OU.

FYITo learn more about OU’s new programs and the more than 260 other programs Oakland University offers, visit oakland.edu/programs and prospective graduate students should visit oakland.edu/grad.

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