CAREER PLANNING & FINANCIAL AID NIGHT 2008 Welcome!

CAREER PLANNING & FINANCIAL AID NIGHT2008Welcome!

TONIGHT’S AGENDA • The Facts about Career Planning • Best Bet Occupations • Career Planning Tips • Careers without College • Careers with College • The Application Process • College Admission Testing • College Admission • The Keys to Success • Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

THE FACTS! • All careers in the future will require training after high school. • Workers of the future will change jobs 10-15 times. • Many future careers may require a college degree. • Not all careers in the future will require a college degree, but will require post-secondary training. • Not every high school graduate goes to a four year university. • Annually only 30%-50% of all students who enter college actually graduate.

Best Bet Occupations“Best Bet” occupations combine a high growth rate with a large number of annual openings. They also pay well for the level of training and education required. More Best Bet occupations can be viewed by visiting www.Imi.ides.state.il.us • Work Experience +4 years of college or more: Computers Informational Systems Managers,Pharmacists • 4 years of College (Bachelor’s Degree): Accountants& Auditors, Computers Systems Analysts • 2 years of College (Associate’s Degree):RegisteredNurses, Computer Support Specialists • Vocational Training After High School: Automotive ServiceTechnicians & Mechanics, Licensed Practical Nurses • Long-Term-On-The–Job Training: Carpenters, Welders, Cutters • Moderate-Term-On-The-Job Training: Sales, Wholesales & Manufacturing, General Maintenance & Repair Workers • Short–Term-On–The-Job Training: Receptionists & Information Clerks, Truck Drivers, Light/Delivery

PLANNING YOUR FUTURE“Failing to plan is planning to fail!” • KNOW YOURSELF! • Achievements, abilities, interests, values, and ambitions are important factors to be evaluated in setting your goals. • Initiative, responsibility, passion, and personality will determine your degree of success. (Discuss this with your parents and counselor)

CAREER RESOURCES:Aptitude & Interests • Do What You Are: http://www.dowhatyouare.com/bridges • Mapping Your Future: http://mapping-your-future.org/ • Personality. Com: http://www/personality.com • Personality Type: http://www.personalitytype.com • People Patterns : http://www.keirsey.com • Similar Minds: http://www.similarminds.com • What Now Grad? http://whatnowgrad.com • Global Quest: http://gquest.org • Career Mag: http://www.careermag.com/ • Learning Styles: http://www.crc4mse.org/ILS/self_test.html • Countdown: http://www.ILWorkInfo.com

CAREER EXPLORATION • Explore the many occupations fields. Evaluate this information as it relates to your self-evaluation. • Do not select an occupation field or goal just because “ Uncle Mike” or “ Aunt Jane” is successful or thinks it for you. • Conduct career interviews. (See Mr. Calendo for a career interview questionnaire form)

CAREER RESOURCES: Exploration • Career One Stop: http://careeronestop.org • Exploring Occupations: http://umanitoba.ca/counseling/careers/html • Career Development: http://www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/index.asp • Career Cruising: http://www.careercruising.com • Careers and Colleges: http://www.careerandcolleges.com • Major and Career: http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors • Career Schools: http://www.careerschools.org/ • Career Groups: http://www.doi.gov/octc/typescar.html • Mpegasus Career Info:http://www.mpegasus.com/begin.html • Career Overview: http://overview.com/colleges

CAREER PLANNING • Start planning for your vocation as early as possible. • Research the facts about what the specific education and training is required. • Conduct informational interviews. • Develop a resume of activities, honors, and achievements. • Assemble a list of admission requirements and qualifications for schools that you’re interested in. • Apply to the schools. • Visit colleges or other Education/Training sites. • Please keep in mind that as your counselor, I am here to help you develop your career plan and provide you with information on schools, colleges, financial aid, and military training.

CAREER PLANNING RESOURCES • Career Voyages http://www.careervoayages.gov Website is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Site offers youth career information about occupations that are in demand. Offers additional resources on apprenticeships, community colleges, 4-year colleges, certifications, career videos, and other options. • The Illinois Career Resource Network http://www.IL.Workinfo.com Site offers career resources for elementary, middle school, and high school students. Students are able to explore and learn how to prepare for their careers. The Illinois Career Resource Network offers Countdown (career interest survey), Career Click, and Career Information System. These resources allows students to learn specific information on occupations, employment, and education and training. • The Career One Stop http://www.careeronestop.org Site offers many career resources that you’ll find extremely helpful. Site allows you to search for these resources under the following headings Career Exploration, Education & Training, Job Search, Salary Benefits, People and Places.

Careers Without College • Apprenticeships • There are more than 800 occupations in this category. These occupations can be learned by a combination of on-the-job training and part-time classroom instruction. • Salary typically begins at 50% of the typical salary and increases as you learn and gain new skills. You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. • You apply directly to an apprenticeship sponsor, undergo an interview, and sometimes take certain tests. • In college a great deal of time and money is required to prepare you for your career. In an apprenticeship, you actually earn money while you learn your chosen profession. 5. http://www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/approcc The site offers information on Apprentice able Occupations by Occupational Title.

Careers Without College • Internships • A low or unpaid, short-term, entry-level job, where you can get work experience and build up your resume. • Many times, you might not realize if a career is right or wrong for you until you experience it in the work field. 3. You can call companies directly to ask about internship programs.

Careers Without College • Military Service • Some military service occupations are very similar to those in civilian life. Therefore, the training and experience in such military occupations can be helpful in testing out or preparing for a civilian career. 2. Financial aid for education is available through the military. 3. Make sure you discuss with your parents before signing any documents.

Careers Without College • Vo-Tech Schools • Business, vocational, and tech schools train specifically for technician careers. The demand for people with technical skills is growing twice as fast as any other group. • http://www.rwm.org/rwm/tfill.html This site offers database for all Vocational Schools by state and the information on the specific training requirements for the specific career that interests YOU! 3. The cost varies depending on the school. 4 Make sure you research a variety of schools.

Careers With College • Take your college search seriously. • Realize that there is no perfect college, but you can find a great fit for you! Remember that a great fit for someone else does not necessarily mean a great fit for you.

CHOOSING A COLLEGE • commuting vs. living on campus • urban vs. small college town • size of the school • extracurricular/ athletic activities • size of classes/ faculty-student ratio • restrictions/ regulations of social life • type of programs offered • cost of the school

2-year Open-door admission policy H.S. diploma & ACT scores are used for placement Accept H.S. grads, G.E.D. recipients, or individuals at least 16 years of age that have withdrawn from high school 4-year ACT or SAT scores are required G.P.A., class rank, volunteer work, personal statement, professional essay, extra curricular activities, letters of recommendation, and/or transcripts may be taken into consideration Admission Requirements

2-year As a full-time student, (enrolled in 24 credit hours per year) tuition can range from $1900 to $2300 4-year For most Illinois state colleges/universities, tuition can range from $5600 to $8700 annually (not including fees, housing, and other expenses) Private and/or out of state schools may be substantially higher Tuition

2-year Considered commuter schools Most students live at home while attending school 4-year On-campus housing is usually available via dormitories, may be required for incoming students Off-campus housing includes – houses for rent, apartments, condos, sorority and fraternity living Housing

2-year May obtain an Associates degree with the possibility of transferring to a 4-year college OR May receive a specialized certificate in a professional or technical field 4-year Wider selection of majors/specialties May obtain a Bachelors degree with the possibility of continuing education for a Masters degree Completion of Academic Programs

List, Compare,Visitand Collect information • Talk with College Representative • Talk with Teachers, Counselors, Coaches, Parents, and College students • Visit the College Web site • Schedule appointment for campus visit • Prepare a college comparison worksheet • Weigh advantages and disadvantages

THE APPLICATION PROCESS • The Student’s Responsibility • Obtaining Applications • Completing Applications

The Student’s Responsibility • Decide where to apply: apply online at the college or university that you’re interested in. Please see Mr. Calendo if you need a website address of the school or schools you’re interested in applying to. • Obtain the applications and other relevant information on the different schools in the guidance office. • Complete the actual applications before the priority deadlines. • Early admission or priority application deadline due as early as November 1st (U of I). November 15th for all other states schools. • Use www.commonapp.org allows students the opportunity to apply to 350 colleges and universities in the United States by filling out one application (500 word essay, and teacher and counselor letter of recommendation is also required.) • Gather other important information admissions requirements, housing, merit based and need based scholarships, and scholarship application deadline. • Request transcripts to be sent out in the guidance office.

Transcript Request • Request a transcript from Mr. Calendo. • Picked up or sent out • There is NO FEE for a copy of your transcript.

How to get applications • Guidance Office • Phone or visit the Office of Admissions • The Internet: • Complete and send electronically…Double Check to see if there is a section to print out and give to your counselor • Download the application

Student’s full LEGAL name List of all high schools attended State of residence of both student and parents Six Digit high school code : 144-270 Courses in progress Standardized Test Scores Signature from student, parent, and counselor Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher Letter of Recommendation from your counselor What (Nearly!) Every Application Asks

COUNSELOR’S ROLE • Assist in obtaining college information • Review completed college applications • Certify an official transcript • Write a letter of recommendation (if required)

COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING

Types of College Admission Tests • ACT (American College Testing) • SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) Register online at www.collegeboard.com by April 29th for the June 4th SAT test

ACT • Taken during the junior year as part of the PSAE • Consists of four tests : • English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning • Top score is 36 (Composite) • Writing component is required!

SAT • Predominantly used by east & west coast schools • SAT consists of a verbal test, mathematics test, and a writing test. • Each test is scored on a scale of 200-800 • Adding the verbal and math will give a total combined score

ACT or SAT • Check with college for preference • ACT: designed to measure academic achievement in the areas of: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. • SAT: Designed to measure academic aptitude in terms of verbal and numerical reasoning.

Test Scores Sent Directly From ACT/SAT • SAT/ACT Give you a limited number of schools to have your scores sent to initially • $7-10 per additional test score sent out

P.S.A.E. • Required to earn high school diploma • Annual State Exam given to high school Juniors in April • PSAE Day 1 (ACT) • PSAE Day 2 (Science, Applied Reading & Math) • NCAA accepts PSAE ACT scores for Division II eligibility (decision pending regarding Division I eligibility)

G.P.A. Rank ACT/SAT Test Score Personal statement Recommendations Difficulty of course selections Courses in progress Junior & Senior year Academic Accomplishments School Involvement Personality Characteristics Level of Commitment Personal Accomplishments ? What are College Admissions’ Officers looking for in prospective students?

Why are you interested in that particular college or university? Impact on admissions Why would you be a good addition to that particular academic community? Topics include: life lessons, personal challenges, areas of interests Personal Statement

COLLEGE ENTRANCE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS(Depends on what tier the school is in) • ENGLISH: 4 years • MATH: 3-4 years • SCIENCE w/LAB: 3-4 years • SOCIAL STUDIES: 3 years • POSSIBLE FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 2-3 years • POSSIBLE FINE ARTS: Emerging • ELECTIVES:

Conditional Admissions • Deficiency in a particular entrance requirement: complete non-degree coursework on campus (foreign language) • Academic probation • Wait list • Deferment (early admission process)

KEYS TO SUCCESS • DESIRE • SELF-DISCIPLINE • WORK ETHIC • DETERMINATION • TIME MANGEMENT • INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES • www.fastweb.com This site offers an extensive database on national, local, and college specific scholarships. • www.schoolsoup.com Site offers students a free scholarship search to worlds largest database worth over 32 billion dollars. • www.careeronestop.org Site offers students an extensive library of career resources that include career exploration, job search for every state in U.S., self-assessments, free scholarship search, college search, and more. • www.finaid.org Offers financial aid and information with links to test preparation and internship opportunities, for students who want to earn as they learn. • www.collegezone.com College Zone is the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s site for financial aid with a user friendly guide to scholarships, grants, work-study and more. • www.scholarships.com Search for local and national college scholarships and grants. Free scholarship search worth over 19 billion. Scholarships match your academics, talents, and interests.

CAREER PLANNING & FINANCIAL AID NIGHT 2008 Welcome!