College Guidance Services

Careers that Produce Jobs after Graduation

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:20:43 +0000

While so many college graduates are still looking for jobs after a year, what majors are getting job offers? Education, health care, business and professional services. Not your cup of tea? Well, the “really” hot jobs are in the technical colleges. Hands-on careers is where the hiring is. Machinists and weldors are getting jobs quickly. Factories are in danger of not filling all the slots needed for production. In fact, many jobs go unfilled because there are not enough qualified workers to fill the slots. The majority of jobs of the future are hands-on positions with two-year degrees. While most parents want a 4-year degree for their children, the majority of jobs are coming from 2-year colleges. Think about it.

College Majors Not to Pick if You Want a Job

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:20:05 +0000

While it is great fun to be on a college campus and have so many choices about your career choices, many choices are not good for you. The bottom line is that you need to find a job once you graduate, right? You will have student loans to be paid off big time. 50% of college 4-year college graduates last year have not found jobs yet. We need to be smart about what we select as a major.

Some college majors are the “kiss of death” when finding a job. According to Georgetown University Center on Education, the following are not recommended if you actually want to find work after graduation. 10. Economics. 9. Area Ethics and Civilization Studies. 8. History. 7. Anthropology. 6. Philosophy and Religious Studies. 5. Information Systems. 4. Commercial Art and Graphic Design. 3. Fine Arts. 2. Film, Video and Photographic Arts. 1. Architecture.

Where are the “hot” jobs? Well, actually, they are at junior colleges and involve hands-on positions. We need people qualified in manufacturing and services. The majority of “hot” jobs do not require 4-year college degrees. Think about it. Do you want to have a 4-year degree and be unemployed or a 2-year degree and have a job?

Keep Those Grades Up

admin — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:20:26 +0000

Your senior year may be coming to a close soon but don’t let your guard down. Keep your studies up. It is very tempting to slack off a bit. Don’t do it. Scholarships can be lost and colleges can change their mind about your admission if you are no longer the student they accepted. You have worked hard for so many years. Don’t let the last few months change things for the negative.

February is a Great Time

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:15:38 +0000

February is that “between” time in the college process. You have completed the application process and are waiting for the Award Letters. It is a “whew” time. Enjoy it.

January of the Senior Year

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:58:38 +0000

If you’ve applied in the fall as recommended, January is going to be scholarship essay time. Colleges begin assigning scholarship funds quickly quickly after they admit students. Of course, they don’t just hand you checks so they ask you to write a scholarship essay. These can be valued anywhere from $1000 to $10,000 or more. When the award letters come out in the spring or later, this will be included in the final cost of a year of college.
There may also be scholarship weekends offered where students are asked to compete with other prospective students. Activities may include formal events, interactive group events and just plain fun.
Take advantage of these opportunities. They will cut your student loans and improve your lifestyle after graduation.

Sent in Those Applications?

admin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:47:00 +0000

I hope you have all college applications sent out by now! Why so early? Well, the college process runs on a timeline and you want to be in the right spot at the right time. When the college bus leaves the station, you want to be on it. In January, colleges begin to designate scholarship and financial aid funding for applicants. If you haven’t applied yet, you are not on schedule. College is not only about getting accepted. College is about being affordable. If you don’t apply on time, you are playing catch up. Catch up can be quite expensive. Student loans make a major impact on your lifestyle after graduation. Be smart. Apply early and apply at 5-6 colleges to get the best financial aid package. And, never select a college based on where your friends are going. This is all about you and the funding provided for you.

Letters of Recommendation

admin — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:21:21 +0000

You are a senior! Congratulations…but you have a lot of work to do. And, if you are on the ball, you will do it quickly. Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation right now before everyone else does. And, when you do, make sure you have an envelope to the college contact, a resume for the teacher, and a hint about what you would like in the letter. Teachers don’t have you memorized, you know. And, when a teacher does submit a letter for you, don’t expect to see that letter. Letters are often sent directly to the college. This prevents Mary showing Lisa her letter and many other peers totally breaking confidentiality. Don’t be offended if a teacher doesn’t show you the letter. If you are in good standing with the teacher, it will be a good letter. If the teacher hesitates about writing you a letter, perhaps you should move on to another teacher that is more enthusiastic. A bad letter is like no letter.

Gearing up for Senior Year in High School

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 12:36:25 +0000

You will be a senior in a few weeks!! Senior pictures are taking spotlight and the graduation ceremony. But, wait a minute! There is much to be done before you walk in the school door.

1. Have you taken the ACT or SAT at least twice and perhaps three times? If not, get it scheduled NOW. These tests determine scholarships and even admission.

2. Do you have a resume ready with all important information about your high school years? Academic awards, other awards, volunteerism? All the details for a perfect resume are in my book on the home page.

3. Have you selected the teachers you want to ask to write a letter of recommendation for you? Be ready when fall comes.

4. Have you written essays that appear on college admission forms? You may have to write 3 or 4 and wouldn’t summer be the best time to get this out of the way?

If the above are completed, you will have a much more fun senior year with much less stress.

The Summer Before College

admin — Mon, 30 May 2011 10:51:34 +0000

You’ve made it! Your college arrangements are completed. So, what do you do before you begin atttending college? Top priority is to stay out of trouble. Colleges can pull out of their offers if they find out you are no longer the student they thought they accepted. Second priority is to save some money for those incidental needs like pizza, movies, and laundry. Yes, laundry. Mom and dad’s laundry services are no longer free. You are now on your way to being independent and need to pay your own way. The rest of the summer? Enjoy being with your friends and stay safe. The best is yet ahead.

There is No Hurry!

admin — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:50:48 +0000

People are beginning to ask you where you will be going to college. Don’t feel pressured. You will decide when you have all the data in front of you. Until you know what each college will offer you, don’t make a decision. If a large university has not submitted financial aid information, move on. Don’t wait for them. Many large universities will not offer great packages. Go with the best offer you recieve while the iron is hot.