The Road to College and Career Success

Presented by Shannon Soto:Office of Precollegiate Student Services

University of Missouri-St. Louis

It always helps to have some inspiration…“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can choose

to change the world” – Nelson Mandela

“You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose” – Dr. Seuss

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” – Milton Berle

“The biggest failure you can have in life is making the mistake of never trying at all” - unknown

What inspires YOU?

Where will that lead you?

Step 1: Choose a Career

• Start thinking about your career:– Self Assessment:

1. What do you like to do? (interests)2. What do you have a natural talent for?

(aptitude)3. What are you good at doing? (ability)4. What is important to you? (values)

• Once you have determined what career(s) you may be interested in, take the time to learn as much about it as possible.1. Research Information:

– Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/

– ACT “World of Work”:http://www.actstudent.org/career/

2. Connect with individuals in your field(s) of interest.

– Ask specific questions– Ask about job shadowing opportunities

Step 2: Investigate your Career Choices

Career Investigating Continued

3. Experience a Career firsthand• Take a course• Career Specific programs• Part-time work experience• Volunteer experience

Step 3: Find a Career Match

Take some time to find careers that might be a good match for you.

Helpful hints in searching for your career:• Careers by academic subject area• Careers by specific occupation• Careers by job industries

Step 4: Evaluate your Educational Options• After completing high school, there are 6

educational options to choose from:1. Community College2. Career and Trade/Technical Schools3. 4-year College or University4. The Military5. Apprenticeship6. On-the-Job Training

Types of Colleges:• Liberal Arts Colleges: Broad base of courses, small class sizes,

personal attention is usually available, receive a Bachelor’s degree• Universities: Bigger than a college, offers more majors, resources,

and research facilities, receive a Bachelor’s degree• Community/Junior Colleges: Receive an Associate’s degree after

the completion of 2 years of full-time study. Prepares you for immediate entry into the job market or transferring to a four-year university/college to complete a Bachelor’s degree.

• Agricultural, Technical, and Specialized Colleges: Preparation for specific careers. Examples include Art/Music, Biblical Studies, Seminary, Health Science, Physical Therapy, Technical (medical, welding, etc).

Making your Educational Choice:• Usually your career choice will help you determine which choice is best for you. Look for schools

that offer programs that best fit your goals.• In evaluating your options, consider the following:

1. Ask for help: talk to your parents and counselors2. Make a list of colleges: consider career and goals3. Research your options: class sizes, campus size, cost of tuition, financial aid, public vs. private,

etc.4. Find out: admissions requirements, deadlines, financial aid, and scholarship information5. Visit colleges of interest: Take a tour of campus and ask valuable questions that will help you

make a decision. See which place feels like the right fit for you.

Public vs. PrivatePublic Schools• Usually less expensive as they

get money from the government

• Usually large schools, classes sometimes auditorium style and taught by graduate assistants

• Bigger focus on athletics

Private Schools• Rely on scholarships,

donations, and endowments

• Usually smaller and offer more personalized attention

• Usually smaller class sizes

Some schools are Special Interest Based, Single Sex, Historically Black Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions

What is the right school for you?

The Large School: Pros and Cons

• Wide variety of majors and courses • Well-stocked libraries • Variety of housing opportunities • Well-funded sports programs • Wide range of academic and social opportunities • Distinguished or famous faculty

• Large class sizes • Many courses taught by teaching assistants, not professors • Professors focused on their own research and graduate thesis projects—little student-teacher interaction • Pressure on students to take initiative; to be go-getters • More rules and procedures related to enrolling in and designing course study—red tape • Potential of getting lost in the crowd

Pros Cons

What is the right school for you?

Pros• Small class sizes • Hands-on learning opportunities • Individually-designed majors • Strong advising system; advisors know students very well • Strong sense of community • Professors, not graduate students, teach most courses • Opportunity to get to know professors well • Can be easier to get involved in campus activities/clubs

Cons• Limited housing options • Fewer majors to choose from • Fewer physical resources • Smaller libraries • Fewer entertainment and social opportunities • Less emphasis on sports programs

The Small School: Pros and Cons

Types of Degrees

• Certificate or DiplomaLength of time varies upon program

• Associate Degree 2-3 years

• Bachelors or Baccalaureate Degree4-5 years

• Advanced/Professional Degrees: Master’s Degree2-4 years

• Doctorate Degree3-5 years

How Much Will You Earn?

A Few More Thoughts:• College graduates are half as likely to be unemployed versus

high school graduates. • You may earn back as much as $30 for every dollar invested in

higher education. • College graduates experienced an employment increase of 1.8

million jobs in the past decade versus a loss of almost 700,000 jobs for those with a high school diploma only.

What are the Fastest Growing Careers?

A Few Things to Remember:• Be patient with yourself - planning for your future is a

continual process. It will not happen overnight.• You may have a plan and then discover that your plan

isn’t really what you want. That’s OK! That will help direct you to what is the best fit for you.

• Continue to grow and learn no matter what career path you find yourself on.

“Learning never exhausts the mind” – Leonardo da Vinci

Thank You!University of Missouri-St. Louis

Office of Precollegiate ProgramsOne University Boulevard

St. Louis, MO 63121

Main Office: 314.516.5196Office Fax: 314.516.4611

Email: precollegiate@umsl.eduWebsite: www.umsl.edu/~precollegiate