Confused, Or Not Confused: That Is the Question

Confused, or not confused: That is the question

A guide to career and college exploration

Confused, or not confused: That is the question.

Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………1

Getting Ready

1Senior year planning guide...... 2

2Class schedule for high school...... 3

Careers and Inventories

3Learn about your skills and interests...... 4

4Career inventory websites and resources...... 4

5Top ten steps to choosing a career...... 6

ACT vs SAT

6What is ACT?...... 9

7What is SAT?...... 9

8Which one should I take?...... 9

Finding a College

9Deciding on the type of college to pursue...... 10

10Finding information on colleges...... 11

11Comparing various colleges...... 11

How to Apply to a College

12Filling out an application...... 12

13College application requirements...... 13

14Letter of recommendation...... 14

15Common Application Links...... 15

Financial Aid

16Financial Aid basics...... 15

17Financial Aid scams...... 16

18Filling out the FAFSA form...... 17

Scholarships and Grants

19Types of scholarships and loans...... 19

20Searching for scholarships...... 22

Learning about the Military

21Why military careers?...... 23

22Which branch of the military?...... 24

23Whom do I talk to?...... 26

Finding a Job

24Job search...... 27

25Interviewing...... 28

26Planning ahead for career growth...... 30

27Mentors: Two are better than one...... 32

Summary

Each year thousands of high school seniors panic and make hasty decisions. For many, their hasty decision has a negative impact on their future. The topic that causes the panic revolves aroundcollege and career decisions. The reason they panic stems from being inadequately prepared for the number of college options and choices available to them. In an effort to gain admission into college at the last minute they are often forced to make decisions that are not in their best long-term interests.

The purpose of this booklet is to allow students and parents to being to make informed college and career decisions. This is accomplished in a manner that allows for time and thought, providing them with the best possible ability to make an informed decision about their future. Rushed and hurried decisions are often ill-informed decisions, leading to mistaken goals and career paths. It is not my intent to have someone sit down and read through this whole booklet in one sitting. Rather, it will be better served to view this booklet as a resource for you to use as you being this long and exciting journey. If you follow each step and giving an appropriate amount of time for each to come to fruition, than you will be able to make wise and informed decisions about your future.

So, as you begin the transition from high school to college, then into a chosen career, make sure you don’t rush the process. Remember to stay patient and start traveling down the career and college road sooner than later.

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

Getting Ready

1. Senior Year Planning Guide

September
• Explore and begin to narrow your post high school options.
• Review standardized tests with your counselor i.e. PSAT, PLAN, ACT, SAT
• Schedule a conference with your counselor to discuss future plans.
• Register for the ACT and/or SAT I & II if required.
• Attend the NationalCollege Fair at the MinneapolisConvention Center.
• Secure college applications.
• Determine if your high school courses meet college/career/NACAA requirements.
• Most colleges including the University of Minnesota will accept applications.
• There are numerous Minnesota Education Fairs throughout the state during September and October. Consult your counselor for dates, times and locations.
October
• Visit campuses during Teachers’ State Conference (MEA)
• Apply for early admission decision if interested.
• Research private sources for scholarships.
November
• Finalize college choices.
• Check to be sure that you have registered for the appropriate entrance tests.
• Schedule admissions interviews if necessary.
• Request recommendations.
• Insure that your college application is complete – check with counselor or college.
• Keep a file copy of all applications.
December
• Obtain the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA), the required form for the Minnesota State Grant program, in early December.
• Talk with your parents about the information needed to complete the financial aid application.
• Meet the priority deadline for college applications, especially the University of Minnesota.
January
• Attend a Financial Aid Workshop.
• Complete the FAFSA on line if possible. You may also use the paper application. Obtain any additional forms directly from the colleges of your choice.
February
• Review your status on all applications.
• Check deadlines for financial aid applications and housing applications at all colleges you are considering.
• If you have not submitted your financial aid application, do so. Some financial aid is given on a first come, first serve basis.
March
• If possible, visit all colleges to which you have applied if you have not already done so.
• If you have not applied for admission to a college, it may not be too late. DO SO NOW!
• Review your financial Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy.
April
• Review college acceptance notices. Complete necessary forms. Finalize your choices.
• Review scholarship, acceptance notices and rejection information. Complete necessary forms.
• Keep up academic work. Colleges will review your final grades.

2. Class Schedule for High School

As a high school student, you have the opportunity to prepare yourself for college in a very unique way. No other time in your life will afford you the time, resources, or energy to pursue your future educational and occupational goals than now.

If you have ever wondered what colleges want you to have on your transcript, wonder no more! The secret is going to be revealed to you right now.

The state of Minnesota has pre-set minimum standards for the four core curriculum areas. Here is the breakdown of core classes and the number of years you will need to take to graduate.

MN STATE MINUMUM SCHEDULE

English: 4 years

Mathematics: 3 years

Reading: 3 years

Science: 3 years

High schools across Minnesota follow these minimum guidelines and build on from there. It is recommended that students in high school use the following schedule to enhance their level of college readiness (for information about College Readiness go to

RECOMMENDED ENHANCED CLASS SCHEDULE

English: 4 years

Mathematics: 4 years

Reading: 3 years

Science: 4 years

Some of your credits can come from accelerated middle school classes (ie.. taking Algebra 1 in middle school) but a majority of them should be taken at your high school. Students who have followed the enhanced program typically do much better on their ACT and SAT tests for college admission.

While high schools offer students a certain number of elective credits each year it is advised that students use those credits to complete the enhanced schedule and/or take classes that directly relate to their desired college field of study. Students who wish to pursue a career in a business field should not waste their electives on music classes or drama related classes. While those classes are not ineffective or bad in and of themselves, they do not provide the student with the best opportunity to succeed and gain admission in to the college of their choice.

Careers and Inventories

3. Learn about your skills and interests

Knowing what career tract you want to pursue is the number one responsibility you have before searching for a college, filling out your FAFSA, or even visiting a college. The process each person takes to settle on a specific career field or tract is very different. Some people are influenced to pursue a certain career because of their family’s history in a particular career field. It is not uncommon to have generational career paths that are similar. To a large degree, our family environment can greatly influence our thinking and career pursuits.

So, what do you need to know in order to being the process of learning what job best suits your skills and interests? The following are recommendations of books and resources for you to look over to help you tackle such an important life decision.

“48 Days To The Work You Love”- Dan Miller*
“No More Mondays”- Dan Miller*
“The Right Job, Right Now”- Susan Strayer

The first two books are highly recommended and should be read by both students and parents, no matter what their career field or job satisfaction level.

*Dan Miller’s books are faith-based but include a lot of practical information that is applicable to anyone searching for a filling career.

4.Career inventory websites and resources

There are many websites that offer career and interest inventories. The good thing about taking an online personality and interest assessment test is the instant results. You can find a good website, answer a few questions and have your results right in front of you. There is a warning though. Among all the good links and good information there is a plethora of spam and junk. If you have to go through a number of pages of offers from advertisers, or if you have to continually check “No” to pages worth of magazine or email subscriptions than the results of the “free” assessment are not worth the headache of the spam and trash you’ll receive in return.

Before you being to look over this very long list of interest and personality links there are a few that would be well worth your time and money to pursue. John Holland’s career interests and assessments are typically very well done and give good information. There are a number of links and resources from him in the information listed below. Also, this website, is VERY good for a complete and thorough assessment. It uses Holland’s research and connects your skills and interests in a number of categories, making it easy to read and understand. While it is a fee-based service, the small amount of money you would spend to take this assessment will be well worth it in the long run. This test, coupled with a reading of one of the Dan Miller books will put students and parents in a very good position to make a very informed career decision.Also, check out for career information. You will need the following codes to access the site: Username: mcis Password: rogersh

Connecting Personality Types With

Careers and Jobs [U.S. Dept. of the Interior]

The Seven Rules About Taking Career Tests

Work personalities

How compatible are you?

Tools and Quizzes

John Holland, Psychologist and career theorist

Holland's six career interest types

Career Interests Game (Holland Career Test)

Interests, Careers, and Holland Types

Article excerpt from website:

Free Career apptitude test

Free Career test

Career Fufillment

Work Interest Quiz

Career Planner

Career & Orientation Profile

The COP Questionnaire is a self-administered tool

designed to help you think about your career.

Which jobs interest you?

Learn more about the world of work from ACT corporation

Learn more about yourself

The Princeton Review Career Quiz

Discovery Skillsone

The Strong Interest Inventory® compares a person's interests with the interests of people who

are successfully employed in a wide variety of occupations.

Career Self Assessment

Holland Codes

Free sample assessment

Top Careers that Match Your Interests

SchoolFinder.com (Canadian site)

CareerHope's Free Testing Resources

CAREER INTEREST INVENTORY

The Work Interest Quiz can help you find answers.

Are You a Workaholic?

Online Interest Asessment (Oklahoma Career Resources Network)

What Color is Your Parachute - Job Hunters' Bible.com

Tests & Advice

Find the career and program areas that match your aptitudes and interests!

(Canadian website)

Explore IT Careers

Career Advice for all types

Interest Inventory & Career Resources

View general job market trends

5. Top ten steps to choosing a career

Career choices may well be more difficult today than at any time in history, for three reasons: there is infinitely more to choose from; career definitions are more fluid and changing; and the levels of expectation are rising. Most men and women entering the workforce today can expect to change careers three or more times during their working lives. Here are ten steps that will help ensure that your choices are good ones.

1. Begin with your values.

What's really important to you? What turns you on? What do you like to do so much that you would almost feel guilty getting paid to do it? These questions are designed to help you get at one of the key elements in career choice: values. Your values are the emotional anchor of all that you do. Satisfying careers are built upon the notion of a high correspondence between one's personal values and the work they will be doing. Begin your career search by sorting out your values and writing them down as clearly and succinctly as you can.

2. Identify your skills and talents.

A skill is something you've learned to do. A talent is something you've been born with, or at least that you seem naturally qualified to do. It's important to recognize the difference between the two. You may be skilled at something and still not find it interesting. Chances are, however, if you are naturally talented at something, there will be a correspondence between that particular talent and your values. Put another way: you are more apt to enjoy doing what you do well naturally than what you have simply been taught to do.

3. Identify your preferences.

From early on, we approach the world with certain personal preferences--how we perceive others, how we think and make decisions, whether we prefer concepts over people or vice versa, and the extent to which we are comfortable with uncertainty in our lives. For many, these preferences operate at a subconscious level, but they strongly influence the way we function with others. Some questions may help: Do you regard yourself as highly intuitive? Are you outgoing or reserved? When faced with a decision, do you rely primarily on facts or feelings? Your answers to these questions can tell you much about the kinds of work you will find interesting and challenging. One way of sorting this all out is by taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator a self-assessing instrument that helps clarify these issues. If you haven't taken it in the past year, or at all, I strongly recommend that you take it and include your results in your career deliberations.

4. Experiment.

There's no substitute for experience, the more the better. It's probably safe to say that nearly every career looks vastly different from the outside than from within. If you're new to the job market or if you are considering a career change, get out and talk to people who are actually doing it. Take a job in the field or industry and see for yourself if it's really all you thought it would be. And don't rely on a single authority or work experience. Within the bounds of the area you've picked, try to get as much and as varied experience as you can. If you're committed to finding out about a certain career, you may want to consider volunteering in order to gain work experience. That way, you'll be able to test out whether it fits your values and preferences. If you aren't getting paid to do it, chances are you won't stay with it unless you like it.

5. Become broadly literate.

In this high tech information world, there is an incredible pressure to specialize, to know more and more about less and less. That's dangerous, because it increases your chances of being obsolescent immensely. Many people lose their jobs and scuttle their careers because they have gradually developed tunnel vision about who and what they are and what their capabilities are. The old debate over specialist versus generalist is being tempered by a new term: the generalist/specialist. That's the individual who has been able to grasp the large picture while, at the same time, becoming expert on several of its parts. That's what becoming broadly literate is all about. Learn as much as you can about what interests you and about the jobs and careers you're considering--not just what those involved are currently doing, but about where the industry or profession is heading.

6. In your first job, opt for experience first, money second.

If you're at the top of your class graduating summa cum laude, you may be able to combine both in a single package, but for most new entrants into the workforce, it's a matter of priorities. A good way of sizing up several opportunities is to ask yourself: "Which position will offer me the best chance of becoming excellent at what I do?" And that may not be the one that pays the highest initial salary.