Top Reasons to Choose a Jesuit School
US president Barack Obama meets students of St. Xavier School and College, a Jesuit-run institution, in Mumbai, India, Nov 7, 2010. Photo in public domain: Whitehouse/Wiki Commons
The following is based on an interview with Justin White, a graduate of the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University Maryland.
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The old adage says that hindsight is always 20/20. Now that I am done with my university education, I realize just how true this is. I chose to attend a Jesuit university, but when I started I had no idea just how much the Jesuit focus would change and form me, preparing me for life in the business world.
Jesuit Focus in Ethics Classes
Many degree fields, including business, are built around a strong sense of ethics. In business, for instance, the most successful business owners are often those who treat their customers, employees, and clients ethically. This is clearly taught throughout a Jesuit education, because it is a core value of the Jesuit beliefs. I found that these ethical discussions made their way into my core courses and my business courses. By the time I was finished with my degree, they were a part of who I was.
For the business major, this focus on ethics is vital. We live in a world where corporate corruption makes headlines almost daily. People are learning to value those who have been brought up to think ethically, and a degree from a private Jesuit school or a school with a similar set of beliefs is going to look good on your resume.
Jesuit Schools Teach the Whole Person
I did not realize this benefit when I started my education, but going to a Jesuit school gave me more than just knowledge about business. My professors aimed to teach me as a whole person, teaching not just my mind but also my soul. They tried to change my way of thinking, my inner being, to be a better person. Today, that makes me a better businessperson, helping me interact honestly with each person I come in contact with through my work.
A Jesuit Education Teaches the Value of Hard Work
When I graduated, I understood the need to work hard. My professors pushed me through each of my classes and ingrained in my heart the value of a good, honest day’s work. Today, that is a valuable asset as I pursue my business goals.
My experience is with a Jesuit university specifically, and I found the experience at my school to be invaluable in my current field. Other programs with similar focus on hard work and ethics could bring similar benefit to the students who pursue their business degrees. As you search for a school, look past the academic course offerings and find out about the underlying philosophy behind their business program. Choose one that builds its program around a strong sense of ethics.
About the author: Justin White is the Marketing Director for Mid-Atlantic Door Group, a distributor of Overhead Door Corporation, and a graduate of the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University Maryland.
