Planning a Future
Still in Highschool? Time to get ready for College.
With so many things to remember as you prepare for college, it's easy to miss something. We've created a list of important events to remember as you complete your junior and senior years.
Finding a College
College is the base from which your future will spring. You want to be sure you get the best return on your investment, so consider some of these questions:
- Does the college or university support my major, or will I have to transfer?
- Do I prefer a local college or getting away from it all?
- Is a large city college my style, or am I more comfortable in a country or suburban location?
- Do I want a smaller college or a larger university setting?
- What is the graduation rate of the school (in other words, how hard are the courses)?
- What is their athletic program like?
- What is the overall reputation of the college?
- What is their job placement rate?
- What are the available extra-curricular opportunities?
The decision is one that will affect your future dramatically. To give you some additional sources to research your school and make an informed decision, we've provided the links below.
- NYMentor-Select a Campus showcases New York State schools
- Peterson's CollegeQuest allows you to personalize your page and get information about schools across the United States
- Mapping Your Future has an excellent section on college selection
These sites provide you with excellent resources to evaluate potential campuses based on your individual goals and personal preferences. But selecting a college is not easy take your time, and do your homework!
Career Planning
You may already have made your career decision. On the other hand, you may have just begun to think seriously about a career. Either way, the time is now to find out more information about your career options. Here are some things to consider:
- Research various occupations thoroughly. It's your best method to find out main jobs as well as related occupations that may also be of interest to you. You may be surprised how many variations and sub-categories of your chosen profession exist.
- Look at your hobbies. Hobbies are an indication of the type of things you like to do. For example, drawing and painting may indicate you prefer a more creative job, while woodworking indicates attention to detail. You can use that to help refine your skillsets
and interests. - Establish a general career goal. Goals and objectives keep you on track to achieve your fullest potential.
- Research schools thoroughly to ensure your choice can help you meet your goals.
We've provided some links that can help you learn more about your chosen career or give you suggestions on career planning. Click any of the links below to learn more.
- Look for some solid career advice and useful links at Mapping Your Future and Job Star.
- Take an online interactive test to discover your personal profile and career interests at Job Hunter's Bible.
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