"It's a mistake to think it's resume padding,"Cooke says.
She says these clubs supplement the Harvardeducation where it is most lacking--professionaltraining.
Dudley House Senior Tutor Thomas A. Dingman '67says high levels of student participation inpublic service groups and varsity athleticteams--interest which few students will pursueprofessionally--show that most students do notchoose their activities based on career potential.
"Most who are doing [extracurriculars] feelsome satisfaction in being involved withoutscheming about how this will look on theirresume," Dingman says.
Jokers Wild
But the trend of students training students forthe professional world shows no sign of slowingdown, and based on anecdotal evidence,pre-professional education may not be limited tothe college ranks.
HIA has pioneered an educational program in theCambridge Public Schools, in which they play an"investment game," choosing stocks portfolios andtracking them during the year.
If these students represent the new generationof pre-preprofessionals, Engell's predictions maybe coming true faster than even he predicted.