| When I left for college I had no idea how to | | | | the Keirsey Temperament Sorter are good |
| evaluate a school or a degree program. I based | | | | resources on the web that can help you figure |
| my decisions on what other people thought I | | | | out what sort of careers you might be best |
| should do and what was easy instead of sitting | | | | suited for based on your personality type. (For |
| down and asking myself some simple questions. | | | | example I am an INFJ, so I'm suited to careers |
| I'd like to offer some questions I should have | | | | dealing with counseling and writing.) |
| asked myself about my goals and the programs I | | | | How much time and money are you willing to |
| was evaluating. | | | | invest? Are you willing to take out loans or work |
| First, something everyone should answer before | | | | full time while you are in school? Have you applied |
| going to school: Why are you going to school and | | | | for federal aid, grants and scholarships? It's as |
| what do you hope to achieve? Even if you are | | | | simple as filling out a FAFSA (Free Application for |
| undecided about your major or future career | | | | Federal Student Aid) form. Student loans are |
| plans, you should know why you are going to | | | | among the loans with the lowest interest rates |
| school. Are you going to school merely for the | | | | and recent years have seen them the lowest |
| sake of learning? Are you hoping to improve your | | | | they have ever been. When it comes to time, are |
| skills for a current job? Are you going to school | | | | you willing to sacrifice leisure time, family time or |
| to prepare for the career you desire? | | | | work time? |
| What sort of degree do you need in order to | | | | Consider technical training as an alternative to the |
| accomplish your goal? Do you need a technical or | | | | traditional 4-year college. Inventory the benefits |
| professional certification? Do you need an | | | | and disadvantages of a career college versus the |
| associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree? If you | | | | traditional college. Scheduling may be more flexible |
| are unsure, try researching the fields that interest | | | | and programs may be shorter meaning you will |
| you. The Occupational Outlook Guide on the | | | | be out in the workforce sooner. (watch out for |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics website not only | | | | my next article which will cover the differences |
| provides statistical data on job growth and pay | | | | between the two types of schools) |
| rates, but detailed job descriptions and training | | | | Choosing a program is just as important if not |
| requirements. Some fields such as automotive | | | | moreso than choosing a school. Some people |
| technicians and massage therapists may require a | | | | choose a school first, allowing time to explore the |
| technical school education that focuses on | | | | options of that one school; while others may |
| hands-on training as opposed to the classic 4-year | | | | know exactly what they are looking for and will |
| college education. | | | | choose a school based on the programs offered. |
| What are your interests and aptitudes? Are you | | | | Hopefully, you will now be better prepared to |
| good with numbers, working with your hands, | | | | make that important decision to benefit your mind |
| words, animals or people? The Myers Briggs and | | | | and your future. |