Perspectives Essay

We take your Perspectives application essay very seriously as we make our decisions about granting students a B.S. in Labor & Employment Relations. We want very much to know why you have chosen the degree, and how you see pursuing the degree as fitting into your future plans. This essay is required in order to register for the Perspectives on Labor Studies course, and will affect our evaluation of whether or not you write well enough to succeed in an online writing-intensive section of the class.

Before you write the application essay

We would like you to consider these questions:

1. What Labor Studies courses have you had? What did you find interesting and important about these courses? What issues raised by these courses do you hope to pursue in future Labor Studies courses?
2. How does the Labor Studies major relate to your life and work experience? Is there a connection? Did Labor Studies courses help you understand your previous experiences better, or in a different way?
3. What are your future goals? How do you think the major will help you achieve these goals?
4. What do you think you can contribute to the labor studies field and to the community of people involved in the field of labor studies and employment relations? Why should Labor Studies value you as a participant?

After you have considered these questions

Write an essay conveying to us why you are pursuing the degree. The essay should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced. Please try to be specific and persuasive.

E-mail your essay as an attachment with your request for a special permission number to perspectives@smlr.rutgers.edu. Please be sure to include your RUID and your desired course section.

We will take your essay, as well as your academic record, and your work experience (if any), under consideration as we make our decision about granting a special permission number for a particular section.

If you have any questions about the application process, you may contact the undergraduate advisors, Anuja Rivera at anujab@smlr.rutgers.edu and Amy Marchitto at lobelo@smlr.rutgers.edu.