Consider a 2 Year College Appendix 3.02 (1)

Appendix 3.02

Consider a 2 Year College – Appendix 3.02 (1)

Advantages / Disadvantages
Your tuition and living expenses will be much more affordable. / Some employers prefer a Bachelor’s degree.
You can complete most degree programs in 2 years or less
Most community colleges offer college transfer programs if you wish to continue your education at a 4 year college/university.

Directions: Research to determine the answers to the following questions. Record the answers in the space provided.

Question / Answer
Is the college accredited and respected?
Is financial aid available?
What is the current cost of tuition?
How much can I expect tuition costs to increase each year?
Does the school offer career/job placement services?
How long will it take me to earn my degree?
Will the Associate’s degree I’m considering apply toward a Bachelor’s degree if I decide to continue my education?
What percentage of students find related work after completing this program?
What scholarships/financial aid opportunities does the college offer?
What courses should I be taking in high school to meet entrance requirements?

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Consider a 4 Year College – Appendix 3.02 (2)

Advantages / Disadvantages
A Bachelor’s degree is valued by employers. / Your education will be costly.
Employers will view you as possessing a broad base of knowledge. / You program will last 4 years.

Directions: Research to determine the answers to the following questions. Record the answers in the space provided.

Question / Answer
Is the college accredited and respected?
Who accredits the college/university?
What percentage of students graduate within 4 years?
Will I be required to live on campus?
Does the school offer career/job placement services?
What is the total annual cost for tuition, books, and room and board?
How much can I expect these costs to increase each year?
What is the admissions deadline?
What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
What scholarships/financial aid opportunities does the college offer?
What courses should I be taking in high school to meet entrance requirements?

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Consider a Trade/Technical School – Appendix 3.02 (3)

Advantages / Disadvantages
You can complete the program in 2 years or less. / Your education will be costly.
You will learn from people already practicing in the field. / You probably won’t be able to work full-time while attending School.
You get into the workforce sooner. / Quality may vary from school to school.
You will have access to valuable career services.

Directions: Research to determine the answers to the following questions. Record the answers in the space provided.

Question / Answer
Is the college accredited and respected?
Who accredits the schools that offer programs for people in my career?
Does the school offer career/job placement services?
What is the total annual cost for tuition and books?
How much can I expect these costs to increase each year?
What percentage of students find related work after completing the program?
Can the school provide a list of companies where graduates are working?

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Consider an Apprenticeship – Appendix 3.02 (4)

Advantages / Disadvantages
You can work while you learn. / You will be an apprentice for several years.
You will work under the close supervision of a skilled worker. / You will probably only be paid about half as much as an experienced worker.
You will learn about all aspects of a job. / There may only be a limited number of programs in your area of interest.

Directions: Research to determine the answers to the following questions. Record the answers in the space provided.

Question / Answer
How long will my apprenticeship last?
Will I work full time during my apprenticeship?
How much money will I receive during my apprenticeship?
How much time will I spend in the classroom?
How much time will I spend on the job?
What tools will I need?
Do I have to supply my own tools?
What are my chances of getting a related job at the end of the apprenticeship?
Will I be certified at the end of the apprenticeship?

According to the US Department of Labor, the top occupations open to apprentices are:

Cook / Painter / Machinist
Correction Officer / Boilermaker / Millwright
Power Plant Operator / Operating Engineer / Electrician
Electronics Mechanic / Construction Craft Laborer / Roofer
Plumber / Carpenter / Bricklayer
Pipe Fitter / Fire Fighter / Sheet Metal Worker
Tool and Die Maker / Structural Steel Worker / Telecommunication Technician

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Consider On-the-Job Training – Appendix 3.02 (5)

Advantages / Disadvantages
You begin earning immediately. / You probably learn to perform only one job, so you’ll have a hard time moving to another job.
You don’t have to go into debt to get training. / You’ll probably earn less pay than you would if you attended additional post-secondary training.
You develop skills for a specialized job.

Directions: Research to determine the answers to the following questions. Record the answers in the space provided.

Question / Answer
Am I guaranteed a job after I complete my on-the-job training?
What will my training qualify me to do?
Will I receive some kind of certification after I complete my training?
Will there be opportunities for additional training later?
What courses should I be taking in high school to prepare me for the job?

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Consider the Military – Appendix 3.02 (6)

Advantages / Disadvantages
You can get free training that will enable you to find employment when your service ends. / You are committed to a specified term of time.
You are eligible for financial assistance to attend college after you complete your service through the GI Bill. / You will give up a lot of control over your life.
You will have to transfer to wherever you are sent.

Directions: Research to determine the answers to the following questions. Record the answers in the space provided.

Question / Answer
If I enlist, how long will I have to be in the military?
Do I get to have input concerning where I will be stationed?
Where will I most likely be stationed?
What will be my base pay?
What benefits are offered?
What jobs in the military will my ASVAB scores qualify me for?
What are my chances of getting trained in the job that I want?
Are there any others tests that I must pass to get the job that I want?
Will I be eligible for the GI Bill?

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Survey the Possibilities – Appendix 3.02 (7)

Directions: Search for community colleges/colleges/universities/training programs in your geographical area that offer degree programs of interest to you. Using the grid below, make a comparison of the programs in relation to location and setting, type and size, cost, financial aid, curricula, admission requirements, student demographics, campus life and length of program.

Use the following resources:

The College Handbook

Lovejoy’s College Guide

Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges

Patterson’s Schools Classifieds

The NC community College System Guide

Computerized Career Information System/Internet

Barron’s Guide to the Most Prestigious Schools

A Comparative Guide to Colleges

Peterson’s Guide to 4 Year Colleges

Barron’s Guide to 2 Year Colleges

College / Location / Type/Size / Cost/
Financial
Aid / Curricula / Entrance
Requirements / Student Demographics / +
or
-

Appendix 3.02 (7) : Survey the Possibilities Continued

Use the following descriptors as a guide.

Location/Setting – distance from home, city, small town, or rural setting

Type/Size – Co-ed, women’s’, men's, university, liberal arts, technical, junior, church related, state supported, enrollment, facilities, resident or commuter campus

Cost – tuition, room, board, books, travel expenses, spending money

Financial Aid – scholarships, grants, loans, work study programs

Entrance Requirements – subjects, tests, GPA, class rank, residency, special talents

Student Demographics – ethnic and religious backgrounds, age

The Total Package – Appendix 3.02 (8)

Directions: Describe the various types of financial aid available.

Type of Aid / Description
College Scholarships
Private Scholarships
Grants
Private Educational Loans
Federal Loans
Fellowships
Work Study Programs
Military Programs
Other Programs

Military Recruiter Visit – Appendix 3.02 (9)

Directions: Record the recruiter’s responses to the questions listed below.

Question / Response
What is the length of time I would stay in the service?
What is the starting pay?
What and where is basic training?
What specific jobs are in high demand at this time?
What type of training can I get for these jobs?
How will you determine if I am qualified for a particular job?
How can I be assured I will get the job that I request?
What civilian jobs will my military training be useful for?
Can I be married in the military?
What benefits are available to me after I finish my service term?
What other options do I have if I decide to stay in the military as a career?
If I cannot adjust, is it possible to leave the military?

Based on the information recorded above, could an educational program and/or career in the military be a good option for you? Why or why not?

Junior Year Timeline – Appendix 3.02 (10)

Directions: Determine a target date for the following tasks. Check off the tasks as they are completed.

Task / Target Date / Done
Talk with the CDC and/or the counselor about career and college information.
Begin informational interviews with people employed in jobs that appeal to me.
Sign up for the PSAT.
Take the PSAT.
Write to or E-mail colleges, trade school, military, etc. for information.
Join a CTSO or take a part-time job that will prepare me for my future career.
Attend college and job fairs.
Visit nearby educational institutions.
Survey admissions information to determine admission requirements and deadlines.
Take the ACT and/or Sat as practice.
Inquire about accommodations for physical or learning disabilities.

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Senior Year Timeline – Appendix 3.02 (11)

Directions: Determine a target date for the following tasks. Check off the tasks as they are completed.

Task / Target Date / Done
Talk with the CDC and/or the counselor to make sure that I am on schedule to graduate.
Sign up for courses required for graduation.
Narrow post-secondary education choices to five or six schools.
Survey admissions information to determine admission requirements and deadlines.
Write down deadlines for admissions and financial aid applications for those schools.
Join a CTSO or take a part-time job that will prepare me for my future career.
Attend college and job fairs.
Visit educational institutions that interest me.
Meet with the counselor to discuss educational choices and financial aid options.
Take the ACT and/or SAT.
Inquire about accommodations for physical or learning disabilities.
Arrange for teachers to write letters of recommendation. Keep copies of the letter for my portfolio.
Complete and mail forms/applications by the deadlines. Keep copies of all forms/applications.
Complete and mail financial aid application by the deadline. Keep a copy of the form.
Take the ASSET Test.

Adapted from:

Jist Publishing. (2003). Creating Your High School Portfolio. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Skills from High School Courses/Experiences – Appendix 3.02 (12)

List the school subjects that you have taken in the space below.

English
Math
Science
Social Studies
CTE
Arts
Electives
Other

List your top 3 subjects below.

1. ______

1. ______

1. ______

List corresponding skills for each subject in the space below.

Subject / Skill 1 / Skill 2 / Skill 3

Which skills do you really enjoy doing?

Which skills would you like to improve?

Skills from Hobbies and Leisure Activities – Appendix 3.02 (13)

List the hobbies that you enjoy in the spaces below.

1. ______

1. ______

3. ______

List your favorite 3 hobbies in the spaces below.

1. ______

1. ______

1. ______

List any corresponding skills for each hobby in the spaces below.

Hobby / Skill 1 / Skill 2 / Skill 3

Which skills do you really enjoy doing?

Which skills would you like to improve upon?

Skills from Volunteer Activities – Appendix 3.02 (14)

List the Volunteer activities in which you have participated in the space below.

1. ______

1. ______

3. ______

List your favorite 3 volunteer activitiesin the spaces below.

1. ______

1. ______

1. ______

List any corresponding skills for each hobby in the spaces below.

Volunteer Activity / Skill 1 / Skill 2 / Skill 3

Which skills do you really enjoy doing?

Which skills would you like to improve upon?