How to make a career/college decision?

Question

I'm going to be a junior in high school this coming fall. And that is when most students start thinking about college and what they plan to do. How would you go about doing this?

Answer 1

Some questions that can give you ideas are:

Ask yourself what subjects in school you like. Then look for careers in these subjects.

What hobbies / interests do you have that you could make money at.

What area are you passionate about making a difference in?
example: If you are passionate about helping victims of crime, you might want to be a police officer

You can make an appointment with your school guidance counselor and get advice on this.

Also, community colleges (2 year colleges) often have "Career Assessment" guidance classes that help you find your interests and choose a career. They will let highschoolers attend these classes if you fill out the right forms and get the appropriate permissions from your school and parents.

Community colleges usually have a career center where you can research different careers.

But the best answer is to ask God what He wants you to do. God has a wonderful plan for your life and he will give you direction, but you just have to listen.

Answer 2

When thinking about a college, start by asking yourself some basic questions. Sit down and make a list of what you want to get out of your college experience. What do you want college to be for you? How do you envision your ideal campus, class settings, etc.? What types of schools are feasible for you with your grades and background (i.e. are we talking Ivy League, state university, or junior college?) Do you want to stay near home or go far away? Are there local scholarships for schools in your area? In other areas? Private or public school? Urban or rural? Are there activities (sports, debate, community service, etc.) that would be an important part of your school choice? If you're not sure what you want to study, what colleges offer a broad curriculum that will allow you flexibility to study something you like?

Once you decide on a college, my opinion is that it's best not to declare a college major too soon. I declared mine right away, took 2 years of classes, and realized I didn't want to do what I thought I wanted to do simply because I hadn't realized what I was getting into at the start! I finished the degree I'd started, but I've never really used it.

The first year of college/university is full of general classes that everyone has to take, so take a year to discover what you enjoy and what interests you. You might find out that you take and enjoy classes in something you'd never heard of or thought about. Then you can make an informed decision and take appropriate classes from there.

It is early for you to think about this, but it's better to have too much information than too little when decision time comes around. Good luck!

Answer 3

It was a long time ago for me but i remember taking some kind of interest test. I think the guidance department in school had it. Also you can do a search I'm sure they have some on line now.

*As a side note 8 out of every 10 college students change their major. (i was one) and about half don't have a career in the field they got the degree in (i'm one of those too)

-At this point you have 2 choices
1. Think about $$$ and what career you will make the most
or
2. Go with your gut what feild will you be the most happy in.

Remember your goals will change as you get older and so will what is important to you

**your young, enjoy it, you can't go back
-Good Luck

Answer 4

You really just need a rough idea at this point. When I was touring colleges with my son, most of the people there would say to the visiting students that they don't expect them to pick a major until the end of their sophomore year.
Keep your ears and eyes open around you and engage people to talk to you about their careers, see if you picture yourself in it.
There is a great book if you have the patience to do a Briggs-Myers like test. It's called "Do What You Are." It will "type" you then tell you what careers you'd be both happy and good at.
But you're young, you are allowed to change your mind. Relax, think of these discussions or this book as a beginning...

Answer 5

You can talk to your guidance counselor, but I can honestly tell you that a lot of people DON'T start thinking about college in Junior High, at least no seriously. You have some time. Relax. Have fun. You can work this decision out pretty quickly in you sophmore or junior year in college.

Answer 6

My guidance counselor was a dunce and almost lowered my GPA by keeping me in an advanced math course I didn't need to graduate... I hate guidance counselors, if it was up to me to do over, I would start asking my teachers what they would recommend as far as college. Keep your GPA up and concentrate on a good SAT score, you don't need the best in either to get into a decent public college. Other than teachers there are huge resources online that can inform you about the reputation of colleges ex. Princetonreview.com is one. As far as a career in the future... thats going to be up to you, college makes it easier though eventually to decide what you want to aim for in life. Getting a side job that doesn't interfere with school now would also be a good idea in order to pay for tuition/housing/books/food for college. Above all get good grades and learn something along the way. Good Luck!

Answer 7

I would first find out what I like to do. There are still a lot of things you probably haven't had a chance to try. I'd plan to go to college because if you graduate from college you'll make more money to support yourself with. You also get a chance to try a lot of new stuff that you won't get to in high school even.

Answer 8

Don't try to rush into big decisions. Apply to schools that have the right culture for you.

The first two years, you have all the General Education requirements anyway, so you don't need a major.

Take interesting classes that appeal to you. Give yourself a chance to fall in love with a field. Pursue your interests.

(I was undeclared for five years, and had a blast taking interesting classes in a variety of areas -- unlike those who had their career plans all figured out beforehand, I was there to learn interesting things. I think that's what you should do, too -- but probably not as long as I did.)

Also, take aptitude tests. We all love doing what we're good at.

Don't think in terms of money, think in terms of having fun at what you ultimately do.

Answer 9

i would start by thinking what really interests me yet at the same time challenges me. Something i love doing that i have a nitch for. I was soo confused when i graduated college i wanted to be a psychologist or a forensic scientist. I still want to be a forensic scientist but i decieded to start school this year with my goal of becomming a surgeon i love medical care and health it has always been a passion of mine its something i know i can enjoy for my life!

Answer 10

Open a college manual, close your eyes and point your finger, and there that's your job.