WKU Colonnade Program

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Why Colonnade? 

 

TOP 5 THINGS YOU WILL GET OUT OF THE COLONNADE PROGRAM 

 

1.     COLONNADE COURSES WILL HELP YOU BE A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE STUDENT

Since most students take Colonnade courses in their first five semesters, these courses will help you build the skills necessary to be a successful college student. Through Colonnade, you will become a more proficient note taker, writer, time manager, researcher, as well as a group participant and group leader. Regardless of discipline, the skills you acquire in Colonnade courses will be applicable in a wide variety of classes – and beyond. 

 

2.     COLONNADE COURSES WILL OPEN UP NEW ACADEMIC AND INTELLECTUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Although college provides valuable opportunities to learn more about yourself and your chosen major, you must be ready to take the courses that build foundational knowledge and skills. Don’t worry, you will still be able to do what you love if you study well and dedicate yourself to excellence in each course. Also, who knows? Maybe that sociology class you take sophomore year will take you by surprise and lead you to switch to this field of study. It is extremely common for college students to change their mind early on and pick a different major than the one they originally selected. Colonnade courses are a great way to make sure you give each of these areas a chance; you could end up learning more than you expected, ultimately identifying the career path that is ideal for you. Don’t miss out on this potential discovery just because you failed to take Colonnade courses seriously. Appreciate these general requirements and see where they take you on your journey.

 

3.     COLONNADE COURSES WILL COMPLEMENT YOUR MAJOR 

The required courses that make up the Colonnade Program will prepare students for the advanced coursework that is a part of their major. Think that taking a course on Managerial Communications to fulfill a Colonnade requirement isn’t relevant to an information technology degree? Think again. An IT professional may supervise staff, negotiate with product vendors and develop company procedures - job responsibilities that require basic skills in effective communication. Colonnade electives enable you to take courses that not only strengthen your skills and abilities for future course work, but also foster the proficiencies employers most value in the workforce.

 

4.     COLONNADE COURSES WILL HELP YOU ACQUIRE ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS

According to a study done by AACU, 91% of employers said they are asking employees to take on more responsibilities and to use a broader set of skills than in the past. In other words, job seekers need to know a lot more than just the basic skills required to work within their fields. Additionally, 88% of employers said that to succeed in their companies, employees need higher levels of learning and knowledge than they did in the past. In short, employers prize ethical reasoning, communication, and quantitative literacy as equal to or more important than hard skills.

 

5.     COLONNADE COURSES WILL HELP YOU ADAPT TO A CONSTANTLY CHANGING WORLD

In the end, general education requirements are all about preparing students for the unknown. A student’s interests can change, careers may advance, and new jobs may be created—all situations where a foundational skillset and broad-based knowledge are necessary for success. The purpose of the Colonnade program is to give students abilities that can’t be found in a textbook and that will be used throughout one’s personal and professional life; they are the product of communication, analysis, problem solving, and experience.