Most people think that choosing a school is no big deal. WRONG! Choosing the right school is the second most important step ( next to deciding to go back), so choose wisely.
Are you going to attend a traditional school? Maybe taking classes online is more suitable for you. These are just a few of the things to think about. If you've just graduated from high school, a traditional, on campus experience is probably what you want. Aside from the education, you get a chance to expand yourself socially. And if you decide to live on campus, you get your independence.
If you are an older student like me, online classes are probably a better idea. First, you can take classes that you can work around your schedule.This is important especially if your employer is helping pay for your classes. Second, do you want to get back into the campus thing, worrying about where to park, etc.? And third, (don't take this the wrong way kids) do you want to hang out with a bunch of teenagers? Think about it.
Are you going to pursue a degree? An Associates or Bachelors,maybe? Or are you looking for a certificate program that will show your competency in the subject? These questions will help you decide on a school, also.
You read in an earlier post about choosing a major, you've decided whether you're going to take traditional classes or use distance education, and what type of program. Now, lets pick a school.
Next: Where to get information on schools
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
How to Choose Your Major
Well, you've decided to go back to school. Now what? Have you decided on what your major is going to be? How do you decide?
There are a few different ways. First, you can do some research on what jobs pay the best and go for the money. But is it really something you want to do the rest of your life? Does it entail doing something you're not good at? I mean why become an accountant if you hate math? And I wouldn't suggest being an architect if your not creative or can't draw.
The second option is to sit down and make a list of the things you like to do and are passionate about. Once you have done that you can start researching these areas and see if they fit into what you really want to do.
The best way I have found is to take a career assesment test. Ypu are asked various questions about your interests. personality and lifestyle in order to come up with a list of careers that may suit you. There are a lot of free sites, some sites will give you basic results but have to pay for a detailed report, and some are strictly pay sites. Here are some links to some good sites.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter. Fill in a questionnaire of about 70 questions, which is automatically scored on the Web. Your results will be in the form of Myers-Briggs Types, and suggestions of appropriate careers are made. Free.
CareerPlanner.com -- provides online career testing, as well as free career and job-search information, to help job-seekers discover your true purpose in life and their ideal career. A good source for high school students to career changers. Uses RIASEC method of matching your interests and skills with potential careers.Some elements free; others fee-based.
Career Directions Inventory at LiveCareer.com -- identifies your career interests (highest and lowest) and then tells you what jobs match your results in your highest scored categories. Also includes workplace fit preferences using seven approaches to work (and based on Holland Scale). Results are presented in text and graphic form. No cost to job-seekers for basic report.
TestingRoom.com -- a site dedicated to helping you learn more about yourself. The site includes access to numerous online tests and assessments for self-discovery (including career assessment, values competencies, and work personality). Membership, assessments, and abbreviated results are free, but you must pay for detailed test results.
Probably one of the beat that I have found is Sigi3 . You can check out occupations, take assesment tests and explore a number of different options on the site.
Next Step: What school do I choose?
There are a few different ways. First, you can do some research on what jobs pay the best and go for the money. But is it really something you want to do the rest of your life? Does it entail doing something you're not good at? I mean why become an accountant if you hate math? And I wouldn't suggest being an architect if your not creative or can't draw.
The second option is to sit down and make a list of the things you like to do and are passionate about. Once you have done that you can start researching these areas and see if they fit into what you really want to do.
The best way I have found is to take a career assesment test. Ypu are asked various questions about your interests. personality and lifestyle in order to come up with a list of careers that may suit you. There are a lot of free sites, some sites will give you basic results but have to pay for a detailed report, and some are strictly pay sites. Here are some links to some good sites.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter. Fill in a questionnaire of about 70 questions, which is automatically scored on the Web. Your results will be in the form of Myers-Briggs Types, and suggestions of appropriate careers are made. Free.
CareerPlanner.com -- provides online career testing, as well as free career and job-search information, to help job-seekers discover your true purpose in life and their ideal career. A good source for high school students to career changers. Uses RIASEC method of matching your interests and skills with potential careers.Some elements free; others fee-based.
Career Directions Inventory at LiveCareer.com -- identifies your career interests (highest and lowest) and then tells you what jobs match your results in your highest scored categories. Also includes workplace fit preferences using seven approaches to work (and based on Holland Scale). Results are presented in text and graphic form. No cost to job-seekers for basic report.
TestingRoom.com -- a site dedicated to helping you learn more about yourself. The site includes access to numerous online tests and assessments for self-discovery (including career assessment, values competencies, and work personality). Membership, assessments, and abbreviated results are free, but you must pay for detailed test results.
Probably one of the beat that I have found is Sigi3 . You can check out occupations, take assesment tests and explore a number of different options on the site.
Next Step: What school do I choose?
The Journey Begins
If you're like me, you realized later in life how important a college education is. I have never had a problem finding a job after working 17 years as a restaurant manager. I left the industry only because I got burned out from the stress and the hours involved. It was affecting my health.
I took a job as a security supervisor at a local mall, where I worked for about 4 years. The mall was sold to an out of state group, who in their infinite wisdom, decided they had a better way to run the mall and let all of the employees go. Needless to say, there is nothing left at the mall. The last I heard they only had 4 full- time employees and one part-timer. Anyways, that was over a year ago.
I have spent the last 15 months trying to find a job. Yes there are jobs out there, but who can survive on minimum wage working 15 to 20 hours a week? The other obstacle is most employers now want the candidates to have a college degree. The hands-on experience I acquired doesn't seem to count for much.
After numerous hours of filling out applications, updating resumes, and a large number of interviews in which I was basically told I didn't qualify because i don't have a degree, I knew it was time to further my career.Now Where do I start?
This blog is dedicated to helping you start your education. I will try to help you decide on your career goals, what your major will be, applying for financial aid and more.
I took a job as a security supervisor at a local mall, where I worked for about 4 years. The mall was sold to an out of state group, who in their infinite wisdom, decided they had a better way to run the mall and let all of the employees go. Needless to say, there is nothing left at the mall. The last I heard they only had 4 full- time employees and one part-timer. Anyways, that was over a year ago.
I have spent the last 15 months trying to find a job. Yes there are jobs out there, but who can survive on minimum wage working 15 to 20 hours a week? The other obstacle is most employers now want the candidates to have a college degree. The hands-on experience I acquired doesn't seem to count for much.
After numerous hours of filling out applications, updating resumes, and a large number of interviews in which I was basically told I didn't qualify because i don't have a degree, I knew it was time to further my career.Now Where do I start?
This blog is dedicated to helping you start your education. I will try to help you decide on your career goals, what your major will be, applying for financial aid and more.
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