This month

Exploring colleges and careers

• Feature — Exploring career interests
• Your turn — Resources that can help
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Exploring career interests

Exploring your career interests can be a fun process. Unfortunately, some students don't know exactly where to start. In this article, we address some issues or concerns you may have and offer you some assistance in moving forward.

I don't know what I want to study.
If you're worried because you know you want to go to college, but you're not sure what career you want or what program of study to major in, don't worry. The truth is, many students enroll in higher education programs after high school as "undeclared majors," meaning that they have not chosen to focus in a specific area.

With a few exceptions (like students who think they may want to pursue medicine, research sciences, advanced finance, music, or other careers that require early focus), many degree programs have a "core" set of courses that most students must take, regardless of their major.

Also, remember that higher education expands your opportunities, so it prepares you to take on careers and jobs that you probably would not have been able to otherwise.

How can I figure out what my career interests are?
If you want to know how to start exploring your career interests, remember these three words: explore, explore, explore. Don't get caught in the dilemma of "choosing a major." Instead, focus on your interests, the types of courses you enjoy, and the specific skills you like to perform.

For example, maybe you enjoy the outdoors, and you like camping, fishing, and hiking. In this case, you might consider careers related to these activities, like conservation, environmental studies, or similar areas. If you enjoy the challenge of the puzzles in mathematics and science courses, explore a career in this area. If you enjoy speaking to people, being the center of attention, and keeping things lively, you may want to explore the dramatic arts, sales and marketing, public relations, or similar careers.

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Your turn

Resources that can help

There are several resources available to help you get started on exploring your career interests. Start by taking what's called an "interest inventory." This is basically a tool that asks you questions about your likes and dislikes, and gives you some guidance about what career paths you may want to consider. Ask your counselor or school librarian if they can provide you with resources, or use an Internet search engine and perform a search on "interest assessment" or "career assessment."

Once you have some idea about your interests, take a look at career profiles using the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a publication from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the U.S. Department of Commerce (www.bls.gov/oco). This Web site includes in-depth profiles of careers, describing the education required, expected salary, working conditions, and types activities you would perform.

Also, visit frequently with your counselor, your teachers, and your parents and other adult relatives. Adults can share with you what their work experiences are like and give you some ideas to help you move along in your exploration. Consider calling someone you may know that has a career you may be interested in and asking them about their jobs. Building relationships now can help you in the future, and most adults appreciate it when students are curious about their career fields.

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen and sophomores

• Purchase a daily organizer and planner.
• Organize your notebooks.
• Buy what you will need to arrange your locker and keep it clean.
• Choose a regularly scheduled study time when you can consistently concentrate on your classwork.
• Set up your study space. Find a spot in your house where you will complete all your work and study. Some students have a desk in their rooms and some students prefer studying at the kitchen table. With the help of your parents, choose a quiet place that you can use consistently.
• Pick a place you will store all your books and materials while at home.

For juniors

• AP courses are college-level courses. Therefore, more time may be required of you in preparing for these classes. Be prepared — these courses may seem more rigorous and demanding than past courses.
• A large amount of reading may be required. Plan your study time accordingly.
• AP courses lend themselves to the development of study groups. Meet with classmates that are taking the same class so you can discuss the material that you are learning.
• AP classes require a commitment on your part to read, study, and participate actively in class discussion. Go to tutorials to ensure you have a good grasp of the material.

For seniors

• Take both the ACT and SAT to have extra chances at meeting college entrance score requirements.
• Take the tests as soon as possible. Test again to try to improve your score. Review the test dates in this issue and future issues of AIEmail.
• Before you register, know your high school code. It is requested frequently during your senior year, so memorize that number.
• You can register by paper by completing registration material available in the counseling office, or register online with ACT (www.act.org) and the College Board (www.collegeboard.org).

For parents

• Set your schedules. Encourage your teen to notify employers and volunteer supervisors of their need for a change in schedule once the school year begins. Review activities to be scheduled. Secure the times and dates of any practices, lessons, etc. on your family calendar.
• Purchase school supplies. A list may be available now from the school.
• Agree on setting a study time. Have a discussion this week with your teen about study time plans for the year. School work comes first and must be planned.
• Getting your household organized now for the upcoming busy weeks will less stressful for everyone and make the start of a new year much more pleasant.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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