SEARCY, AR (LP) — Most people may remember starting their own college search in the fall of their senior year, many teens these days need to get started earlier because of the extensive research involved and the deadlines for early admissions programs to competitive programs. In fact, many students begin as early as the fall of their junior year.
A good preparation for teen students is to sit down and start writing — this is great practice for the application process. Teens should list their goals as well as their accomplishments, even if they haven’t yet decided on a field of study. Ask your teen to write down a list of:
- Awards
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Class rank
- SAT, ACT, or AP scores
- Academic and personal strengths and weaknesses
- Extracurricular activities
Next, teens should think about and list the qualities they’re looking for in a college: do they want to go away to school, stay close to home, or take online courses, for example?Armed with this preliminary information, it’s time to begin the next step in their life.
If college isn’t an option or a teen needs extra time to earn money for tuition, going directly into the workforce offers many choices and benefits, such as health insurance and tuition reimbursement programs.
Entering the military can be an excellent choice for a teen who feels uncertain about the future. Discipline, earning money, saving for college, learning a trade — all of this is often possible in the armed forces.
Veterans are also entitled to many benefits both while in the service and after. However, teens should carefully explore all the pros and cons of a military career. After all, if teens don’t like the service or if the thought of going to war seems too scary, they can’t easily drop out. If your teen wants specific training through the military, make sure the contract he or she signs includes that.
Getting a job immediately after high school remains a good choice. Teens who go this route need to learn how to search for employment, write a resume, and develop interviewing skills. Many companies reimburse their employees for continuing education in areas related to their employment. Your teen should ask about this benefit through the human resources departments of potential employers. Another option is an internship. Over the course of a year, your teen could potentially participate in two or three internships to explore career choices. But most internships are unpaid, so planning ahead is crucial if your teen needs to save money for living expenses. Internships provide participants with the opportunity to learn about many facets of a particular career. They’re also a great way to make contacts and develop mentoring relationships.
