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Choosing a Major and a CollegeAlex ChediakChoosing a Major and a CollegeTCCCC April 26, 2014

Why is choosing a major important?It sets the path of what classes youll take and what jobs youll most readily access.

Though many students change majors, this can come at the cost of taking longer to graduate.

The cost of one year at a four-year college is now so high that graduating promptly is increasingly important.

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Principles for Choosing a MajorWork at identifying interests, talents, and their intersection.3Ultimately, youre looking for 3 things:Competency: What I do well, what Im good at.Passion: What I believe in, what motivates me.Demand: What the market wants, needs, and is willing to buy.

Im looking for the sweet spot where God wants me to be:If Gods not in it, I dont want it.

4Credit: Tony Chung The Virtuous LoopTalent is a multiplier. The more talent you have in something, the stronger the feedback. So you improve more (and do so more quickly) if you put your time into something youre naturally good at.5Assessing Interests/PassionsFavorite subjects or classesPassions things you talk about a lotWork that engrosses you Classes youd like to takeMore empathic/creative or logical/analytical? Computers, equipment, equations, words/books, library, laboratory?

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Identifying Talents/StrengthsAreas where success has come more quickly Areas where youve gone further than your peersThings parents and other adults say, I could see you doing [fill in the blank] when youre older. Things coaches, teachers, or mentors say are your strengths.

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The Right MotivationFinancial motivations are common but dangerous. Be motivated to glorify God by using your talents and skills to serve others with excellence. If youre committed to (a) doing good work, (b) developing skills, and (c) lifelong learning, youre going to be employable. 8The Broad Skills All Employers WantProfessionalismCommunicationReliable work ethicWillingness to learn new things

Work well with othersFinancial skillsCritical thinking9

Seek to Confirm Interests & TalentsConfidence should be grounded on objective accomplishment. Self-esteem performance?? Expectations performance self-esteem Talents revealed in crucible of experienceClubs, teams, summer camps, internships, volunteering, shadowing adults in the work force, and so on

10Learn About Your Field(s) of InterestFind out what its really like. What skills are needed? What classes are required? Bachelors degree? Or need an advanced degree? 11

Role of ParentsAccurate assessment.Finding opportunities.Dont force them in a certain direction. Theyre often not like us. Each teen is unique.Dont fight their battles.

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Finding a CollegeFive things to considerAffordability Size (Large vs. Small)Academic Excellence Job ProspectsChristian Community13

AffordabilityCommuting saves $$.Find your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in advance. (Bigfuture.org) For specific colleges, check their net price calculator and their historic net price per income quintile. (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/) 14

Searching for Colleges By AffordabilityCollegedata.comShows what kind of aid different schools give, and how much. Allows you to search for schools by affordability. For example, you can search for colleges in up to 16 states that have (say) 10,000 students or less, meet at least 75 percent of applicants financial need, and where students graduate with an average debt load of $20,000 or less. 15

Pros and Cons of Large UniversitiesAdvantagesWeaknessesMore programs and course offeringsFaculty that stay active in their fieldsWider brand recognitionLess expensive (state universities)More contingent facultyHuge class sizes Curricular disintegration Easy to get lost in the crowd

16Pros and Cons of Small CollegesMore interaction with faculty Professors heart is in teaching undergrads.Less dependency on part-time facultyCurriculum Cohesion.Cons: Fewer programs, alum (to pave the way), academic resources (sometimes). 17

Academic Excellence A college that delivers an all-around high-quality education, with faculty who love teaching and care about students and whose curriculum is excellent so that graduates become strong critical thinkers, good communicators, skilled problem- solvers, and lifelong learners who can continually rise to the challenge of new professional and personal responsibilities.18

Looking for Academic ExcellenceReach, Match, and Safety Schools

Learning Environment vs. Party School?

Core Curriculum/Liberal Arts 19

What About Job Prospects?Accreditation & reputation matter. Quality of student matters most!Instructional resources matter.Curricula matters.Inquire about job placement rate. Websites CollegeMeasures.org & PayScale.com, seek to measure ROI.20Christian CommunityAssess nearby churches in advance.Ditto for on-campus Christian organizations. Atmosphere towards Christianity? Single-gender dorm options? Advantages of Christian colleges. (Faith commitment should still be evaluated.)21

In Conclusion, Help Your TeensAssess interests/talents.Gain accurate information about their potential majors.Choose a college. FinancesSize AcademicsJob ProspectsChristian Community Final thought: Dont wait for a voice from heaven. Exercise wisdom, but trust God.

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