Title: Career and College Planning Hudson Falls Middle School Grade 8 Presentation
1Career and College PlanningHudson Falls Middle
SchoolGrade 8 Presentation
2Why Get a College Degree?
- Knowledge, Skills, and More Opportunities
- If you go to college, you will gain information
and skills that you will use for the rest of your
life, no matter what career you choose. College
will enable you to - Expand your knowledge and skills.
- Express your thoughts clearly in speech and
writing. - Grasp abstract concepts and theories.
- Increase your understanding of the world and your
community.
3Why Get a College Degree?
- What this means for you.
- These benefits may sound great on their own, but
college also has some very practical benefits.
4Why Get a College Degree?
- More Job Opportunities!
- The world is changing rapidly. More and more
jobs require education beyond high school.
College graduates have more jobs to choose from
than those who do not pursue education beyond
high school.
5Why Get a College Degree?
- Earn More Money!
- A person who goes to college usually earns more
than a person who doesnt. According to the U.S.
Census Bureau, on average, someone with a
bachelors degree earns 50,900. That is 62
more than the 31,500 earned annually by someone
with only a high school diploma.
6Why Not Go to College?
- Many students are unsure about attending college
for many reasons. The following are five reasons
students have not pursued college and why they
should NOT prevent YOU from attending.
7Why Not Go to College?
- I cant afford it.
- Most students get financial aid to help pay for
college, and most aid is based on need. This
means that the less money you have, the more aid
you might get.
8Why Not Go to College?
- Nobody in my family has ever gone to college.
- Being first can be difficult. For instance, you
may have to explain to your family that attending
college is important to you. On the other hand,
attending college is likely to be a source of
pride for you and your family.
9Why Not Go to College?
- I dont know what I want to do with my life.
- Join the crowd! Thousands of college freshman
have not decided on a major or a career. College
give you the opportunity to learn more about what
is out there and to be exposed to a variety of
academic subjects, people, and new perspectives.
10Why Not Go to College?
- College is too difficult for me.
- Many students think college will be too
difficult. Keep in mind that all colleges offer
tutoring and student support. AS confident as
some students seem, no one goes to college
knowing everything- otherwise, they would have no
reason to attend!
11Why Not Go to College?
- I just wont fit in.
- Most colleges have students from many
backgrounds. To get an idea of what types of
colleges are available, explore colleges through
College Search (www.collegeboard.com), - or better yet, visit in person.
12Types of College Degrees
- Associates Degree-
- For those planning on entering a technical or
vocational field, an Associates Degree can be
helpful. - Usually earned in 2 years or less and are
available community colleges, technical or
vocational colleges. - Students have to option of accumulating credits
and working toward a Bachelors Degree.
13Types of College Degrees
- Bachelors Degree-
- Also referred to as Undergraduate Degrees and are
typically four year programs. - Students pursuing a Bachelors Degree have to
study general education courses including
English, math, science, and social sciences. - Students also choose a topic to focus on beyond
all others called a major. - There are different types of Bachelors degrees
including a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor
of Science (B.S.).
14Types of College Degrees
- Masters Degree-
- Masters Degree are obtained at a graduate school
and most programs take two years to complete. - A Masters Degree helps advance ones career
because it implies a mastery of a subject or area
of study. - Some of the most common Masters Degrees are
Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S)
or a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).
15Types of Colleges
- Community and Junior Colleges
- Community colleges offer a degree after the
completion of two years of full time study. They
frequently offer technical programs that prepare
students for immediate entry into the workforce.
16Types of Colleges
- Public vs. Private Colleges
- Public Colleges are typically less expensive,
particularly for state residents. They get most
of the money from state or local government. For
more information check New York States Guide to
Residency. - Private College rely on tuition, fees, and
endorsements from private sources. Though
typically more expensive, private colleges are
usually smaller and offer more personalized
attention.
17Types of Colleges
- Liberal Arts Colleges
- Liberal Arts Colleges offer a broad base of
courses in the humanities, social sciences, and
sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on
undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small
and personal attention is available.
18Types of Colleges
- Universities
- Generally, a university is bigger than a college
and offers more majors and research facilities.
Class size is often a reflection of institutional
size.
19PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Planning for your future is not something you do
once. Its a continuous process. Career
planning has three steps that you will cycle
through and repeat throughout your working life.
By following these steps, you can make career
decisions that are right for you.
20PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Step One-
- Know Yourself!
- Evaluate yourself- your strengths, weaknesses,
interests, and values.
21PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Step Two-
- Explore your options and choose a direction!
- Explore occupations and training to find careers
that fit you. Then, narrow down your choices.
22PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Step Three-
- Consider issues that can affect your plans and
take appropriate actions towards your goals.
23Planning for College and Your Career
- Check out our links at www.hfcsd.org
- Look under Middle School, then School Counseling
- Then go to our links
- Scholarshop
- Choices program
- BOCES Vocational Programshttp//wswheboces.org/CTE
/ProgramInformation.htm
24Planning for College and Your Career
- Eighth grade
- It all counts now!
- March 12, 2009-H.S. info Parent Night 630
- March 18 and 19, 2009 High School Sched.
- Sign up to take Advanced Placement Testing before
March 19,2009
25PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Freshman Year-
- Find out how to make the most out of high school.
- Develop a four year plan (take challenging
courses). - Get off to a good start with your grades
- Gain knowledge of high school graduation
requirements and college admission requirements. - Join/continue extracurricular activities.
- Build relationships with peers, teachers,
counselors, advisors and employers. - Explore career areas that match your interests
and talents. - Meet with you high school counselor to discuss
college/career information at least once a year - Continue/start saving for college.
26PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Sophomore Year-
- Continue to take challenging courses.
- Learn about the PLAN (pre-ACT) and the PSAT
(pre-SAT). The PLAN is designed for sophomores.
Talk with your counselor regarding the
appropriateness of taking the PSAT this year for
practice. - Use the results of the PLAN to research possible
career options. - Keep exploring careers by using Choices
(www.bridges.com). - Bridges/Choices Site ID 1001346 Password
hudsonbr2 - Think about what kind of training and education
different careers require. - Become familiar with general college entrance
requirements. - Work toward leadership positions in activities
you like best. - Become involved in community service and other
volunteer activities.
27PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Junior Year-
- Continue taking challenging courses, keep your
grades up, and meet with your counselor. - Take the PSAT in October if appropriate.
- Talk with your parents and high school counselor
about colleges/technical schools that interest
you. Learn about their admissions requirements
and financial aid information. - Take the SAT and/or ACT test. You should be
academically ready to take the test by spring.
If not, you must take it early in your senior
year. - Investigate scholarship opportunities.
- Take advantage of opportunities to meet with
college representatives, tour college campuses,
attend college and career fairs. - List, compare, and visit colleges. (Dream
Schools vs. Safety Schools) - Apply for scholarships that are available for
juniors. - Consider putting together a portfolio that
highlights your special skills and talents.
28PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- Senior Year-
- Visit your school counselor to be sure that you
are on track to graduate and that you fulfill
college/technical school admissions requirements. - Take the SAT and/or SAT if you did not take them
as a junior or wish to improve your score. - Keep working hard all year. Second semester
grades can affect scholarship eligibility. - Attend college fairs, financial aid nights, and
college planning workshops. - Meet with admissions counselors who come to your
school. - Visit colleges and technical schools in which you
are interested. - Meet with military recruiters if interested in
joining the military. - Begin your college essay(s)
- See your counselor for help finding scholarships
and financial aid. - Ask for personal references from teachers,
counselors, or employers early in the year or at
least several weeks prior to your application
deadlines. - Keep track of and observe all DEADLINES for
applying to college, financial aid, and
scholarships. - Apply for admission to the schools you have
chosen and have your counselor send your
transcript. - Apply for all scholarships for which you are
eligible. - Complete the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) and mail in after January 1st. - If you are a college-bound athlete, file with the
NCAA Clearinghouse. - Compare financial aid packages from different
schools. - Decide which college to attend. Notify all
schools of your decision. - Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending
in all required fees and paperwork.
29PLANNING FOR COLLEGE AND YOUR CAREER
- By following these steps, you can make career
decisions that are right for you. Youll know
what your options are and what it will take to
reach your goals!