5 Steps Ahead
How to help you teen discover "what they want to be when they grow up."
Step 1 Know yourself
Personality Profile
Help your student understand their Myers Briggs™ 4-letter code.
Free testing available at www.humanmetrics.com.
Personal Values Profile
Discuss how your personal values influence your career decisions. Help you student think through the things they value most and connect this to career decisions. There is a brief (not completely thorough, but a good place to start) assessment at www.123test.com.
Step 2 Know your environment
People environments
With what types of people do you work best? Help you student discover their Holland Code™. Free assessment available at www.123test.com.
Work environments
In what type of environment do you thrive? Discuss various work environment options and determine where your student does his/her best work.
Step 3 Know the job market
Investigate careers that you may be interested in. Go to www.bls.gov/ooh/ to find detailed information about various careers. Including growth potential and earnings
Set up informational interviews and job shadow for those career fields!
Step 4 Know your budget
Salary considerations
Discover the unequal earning power of common majors by comparing careers that your student is interested in and discussing the realities of life after college.
The danger of student loans
Calculate together how much you can you afford to borrow, and who will pay it back. Use a net price calculator to estimate your expenses. Search for Net Price Calculator at www.usnew.com/education. Be honest with yourself and your student about your financial limitations before you are emotionally involved in a college decision.
Apply the 2/3 formula for student debt. (2/3 x starting salary=max amount you should borrow)
Step 5 Know your options
Next Steps
AFTER going through steps 1-4, start matching schools with your desired field of study and your budget. You can filter your search using the college search tool at
www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
If you are open to the idea, discuss the potential benefits of community college, certification programs, or a gap year.
Make sure your student understands that graduating in 4 years is the goal. Explain to them the 4 secrets to graduating in 4 years (and saving lots of money!)
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Start early with dual enrollment
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Do your research before choosing a major
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Choose the right school the first time
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Take 15 hours a semester