Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship 1876: Dangerous Ideas: College Extracurriculars Are Meaningless by Cal Newport on Academic Purpose
Nov 19, 2025
Cal Newport argues against the common belief that college extracurriculars are vital for success. He shares insights from his experience at Microsoft, where such activities were overlooked during hiring. Newport emphasizes that internships and meaningful connections hold far greater value. He advocates for a minimalist approach, suggesting students focus on fewer activities but strive for excellence. The ultimate goal? To create a standout profile that reflects true passion and commitment.
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College Humor Magazine Story
- Cal Newport describes writing for Dartmouth's humor magazine and becoming editor-in-chief because he loved it.
- He notes this time-consuming activity had no impact on his Microsoft job interviews.
Extracurriculars Matter Little In Hiring
- Outside a few exceptions, extracurriculars play a minor role in hiring compared with grades, school, and interview performance.
- Mega firms rely on interviews, so a huge slate of activities doesn't strengthen your candidacy.
Activities Provide Only Small Personality Nudges
- Minor activity details can add personality during interviews but won't override core signals like grades or school.
- Quirky projects may help at places like Google, but they are small nudges, not decisive factors.
