Sophomore Guide to College and Career

77

matching interests to future colleges and careersPLANNING FOR SUCCESS

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

WWhat comes to mind when you envision yourfuture career? Do you see crisp business suits,the shores of an exotic island, or feel the brightlights of the stage? Is the canvas blank—wait-ing to be painted? You may think the future is

so far off that you don’t need to start planning for it now, but it’snever too early for exploration. Tomorrow needs today!

It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to be when yougrow up or have a clear vision of your future, because figuringout what you want to do is a process.

Process: n. a series of actions directed toward a particular aim

The sooner you begin the journey of figuring out who you areand who you want to be, the more rewarding and less stressfulyour life will become. The more you plan now, the more you’llthank yourself later.

honoring your talents

I t’s important that you honor your gifts and talents by takingthem seriously. When you’re talented at something, it’s easy toassume anybody can do it—that it’s no big deal. But that’s not

true. Skills or abilities you have and take for granted may actual-ly be a important clues to finding your dream job. Your life is fullof opportunity; the passions and talents you have now can beapplied to careers in the future. Anything you like to do can bebuilt on as a future career.

Honor: tr. v. to regard or treat with esteem or respect.

For example, let’s say you like to eat. You can build on this enjoy-ment by becoming a professional chef, a food taster, or a restaurantreviewer. Whoever said jobs should be boring? All those careers fallbroadly on the spectrum of life pursuits. Seeking true happinessmeans embracing your gifts and talents and beginning to see thepossibilities of where they could lead.

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matchmaker

W hen you buy an outfit for a special occasion, say a home-coming dance, you automatically try to coordinate eachpiece so everything matches. You don’t need to see many

televised episodes or magazine photos of “What Not to Wear” torealize that coordinating your wardrobe does make a differencein your overall appearance.

For a guy, this might mean making sure his tie and socks arein sync. A girl might work at coordinating her jewelry, make-upand nail color.

Matching your gifts and talents to colleges and careers is sim-ilar to coordinating a terrific outfit. It doesn’t happen by accident.Careful planning is involved to match your personality and inter-ests to academic majors and careers. Consider the following storyabout Emily.

From an early age, Emily knew she was different from mostgirls. While her friends spent hours playing with dolls and dressingup in their mothers’ high heels, all Emily wanted to do was watchand play sports. During football and basketball seasons, she rarelymissed any of her favorite teams play, learning the rules of thegames and always eager to commentate on them.

As a freshman in high school, Emily earned the position ofkicker for her high school’s JV football team and played guard onthe girls’ basketball team. As her teammates contin-ued to grow taller and stronger throughout highschool, Emily stayed small, unable to keep up withthe physical demands of her peers. During her senioryear, she seriously contemplated the possibilitiesof her future. She wanted to pursue a sports-related profession, but knew she would havea difficult time making it in the pros. She spenttime researching sports-related careers, ultimatelydeciding to pursue a degree in sports broadcasting.Reporting from the sidelines and interviewing herfavorite players seemed like a wonderful future toEmily!

matching interests to future coilleges and careers 79

The first step to figuring out your strengths now is to noticewhat you love to do, your personal preferences, and the kinds ofenvironments that inspire you. Knowing these things can helpshape your future in the best possible way. Some people are mis-matched in college majors and jobs that really don’t suit whothey are. Learning more about who you are today will help youfigure out where you want to be tomorrow.

Conversely, knowing what you don’t like to do and beingclear and realistic about your shortcomings is also helpful. As youlearn more about yourself, you’ll discover the information youneed to pursue your dreams and goals. It will then become easierto match your interests to different careers. See the appendix inthe back of this book for a list of resources for assessing careerinterests.

exploring ideas for your future career

Review the following list of careers. Circle five that appeal to you.Ask yourself why they look interesting to you. Out of the five youselect, pick two and conduct research on each. Find out anythingand everything about them: basic job description, the kinds ofdegrees most often associated with the professions, where geo-graphically the jobs are highly concentrated, what the pay level isfor entry level employees, etc. Next, come up with as many rea-sons as you can for why you think you would be good at andenjoy these professions.

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1. Actor

2. Administrative Assistant/Secretary

3. Advertising, Marketing, and PublicRelations Manager

4. Aerospace Engineer

5. Agricultural and Food Scientist

6. Aircraft Pilot

7. Announcer

8. Anthropologist and Archaeologist

9. Architect

10. Athlete

11. Automotive Technician

12. Barbers and Cosmetologist

13. Camera Operator and Editor

14. Carpenter

15. Chef

16. Chemical Engineer

17. Chemist and Materials Scientist

18. Community Organizer and Activist

19. Composer

20. Computer Programmer

21. Conservation Scientist

22. Curator

23. Dentist

24. Desktop Publisher

25. Detective

26. Editor

27. Electrician

28. Elementary, Middle, and HighSchool Teacher

29. Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic

30. Fashion Designer

31. Federal Agent

32. Financial Advisor

33. Firefighter

34. Flight Attendant

35. Foreign Service Officer

36. Funeral Director

37. Geographer

38. Historian

39. Interior Designer

40. Interpreter

41. Judge

42. Landscape Architect

43. Librarian

44. Massage Therapist

45. Mathematician

46. Medical Scientist

47. Meteorologist

48. Multimedia Artists and Animator

49. Musician and Singer

50. Paralegal

51. Park Ranger

52. Pediatrician

53. Personal Financial Advisor

54. Pharmacist

55. Photographer

56. Police Officer

57. Private-Practice Lawyer

58. Psychiatrist

59. Railroad Conductor

60. Real Estate Broker and SalesAgent

61. Registered Nurse

62. Ship Captain and Marine Pilot

63. Special Education Teacher

64. Sports Coach and Scout

65. Stockbroker

66. Surgeon

67. Telecommunication and RadioTechnician

68. Translator

69. Travel Agent

70. Urban and Regional Planner

71. Veterinarian

72. Web Designer

73. Welder

74. Wildlife Technician

75. Writer


Source: www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/

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Keep in mind, there are thousands of jobs out there. This list of75 possible careers is to jump start your thinking. This mind mapshows how different areas of study can apply to the same job.

AEROSPACE ENGINEERS

Aerospace Engineering

Physics

Computer Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Nuclear Engineering

ADVERTISING, MARKETING,AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Business Administration

Advertising

Marketing

Psychology

Public Relations

Mass Communications

ARCHITECTS

Architectural Engineering

Architecture

City, Community, and Regional Planning

Civil Engineering

Construction Technology

Interior Design

Landscape Architecture

BARBERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS

Cosmetology

Entrepreneurial Studies

Fashion Design

Massage Therapy

Fashion Merchandising

CARPENTERS

Carpentry

Civil Engineering

Construction Management

Electrician

Construction Technology

CHEFS

Culinary Arts

Food Science

Nutrition Sciences

Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies

Restaurant and Culinary Management

COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS

Computer Programming

Computer Science

Computer Software Engineering

Mathematics

Information Science

Informational Technology

DESKTOP PUBLISHERS

Communication and Rhetoric

Graphic Design

Web Development

Printing Management

FIREFIGHTERS

Emergency Medical Technology

Fire Protection and Safety Technology

Fire Science

Police Science

Public Administration

FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS

Global Studies

International Business

International Relations

Prelaw Studies

Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies

Political Science and Government

HISTORIANS

America Studies

Archaeology

Classics

European History

History


U. S. History

Women’s Studies

exhibit 4.1Areas of study and their applications.


JUDGES

Anthropology

Economics

English

History

Philosophy


LIBRARIANS

Art History, Criticism,and Conservation

Database Management

Education

Information Science

Library Science

Library Technology

MASSAGE THERAPISTS

Athletic Training

Exercise Science

Massage Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Physical Education Teaching and Coaching

Physical Therapy

MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND PARAMEDICS

Emergency Medical Technology

Nursing (RN)

Practical Nursing

Premedicine

Surgical Technology

METEOROLOGISTS

AstronomyBroadcast JournalismEnvironmental ScienceGeologyAtmospheric Sciences and MeteorologyPhysics

PHARMACISTS

BiochemistryBiomedical EngineeringBiotechnologyMolecular BiologyNeurosciencePrepharmacy

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Art History, Criticism,and ConservationArt Teacher EducationFilm ProductionJournalismPhotographyStudio Arts

POLICE OFFICERS

CorrectionsCriminal JusticeForensic ScienceSociologyLaw Enforcement AdministrationPolice Science

PSYCHIATRIXSTS

Biology, GeneralChemistryNeuroscienceNursing (RN)PremedicinePsychologySocial Work

STOCKBROKERS

Business Administration and Management

Economics

Finance

Marketing

Applied Mathematics

Statistics

TEACHERS

Education

Elementary School Teaching

High School Teaching

Middle School Teaching

Psychology

Special Education

TRANSLATORS

Comparative Literature

Creative Writing

Foreign Language TeacherEducation

Linguistics

Technical and Business Writing

URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNERS

Architecture

Environmental Studies

Urban Studies

Landscape Architecture

City, Community, and Regional Planning

WEB DESIGNERS

Computer Graphics

Computer Programming

Design and Visual Communications

Studio Arts

Graphic Designs

Web Development

being proactive

P lanning for the future doesn’t mean putting fun on hold. Thepossibilities are limitless for enjoying today while planningahead. Being proactive about college planning translates into

a meaningful career later. To make the process of preparing forlife after high school a little less daunting, create a set of guide-lines for your future. You can break down your dreams intospecific goals and actions you can take. Outlined below are a fewways you can learn more about yourself and what you like to do.

Proactive, v. acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, orhanges.

jobs and volunteer experiences

A lthough any type of community service or job will teach yousomething valuable about yourself, seek jobs and volunteeropportunities that will build on your interests and allow you

to explore and expand on them. Live life consciously. Don’t picka random summer job or organization to partici-pate in just because your friends are doing it.

Choose valuable experiences that presentyou with new opportunities for learningand growth. Conscious living means beingaware of all that’s possible for you insteadof mindlessly cruising through life just let-ting things happen.

For instance, you could take a job as acamp counselor over the summer workingwith younger kids. Not only will you get tobe outdoors, you will get to be a mentor toothers, show them what you love, and learnto work as a team and with kids, all at thesame time. Through your experience, youwill learn more about nature and discoverwhether you really love teaching, or work-

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ing with children. One of the best ways to learn something is byteaching it to someone else.

The U.S. Department of Labor website at www.bls.gov offerstips for finding jobs that relate to your personal interests andhyperlinks to other helpful resources. Spend time exploring, tak-ing notes and reading about jobs that captivate your heart andyour interests.

training and certification programs

T raining and certification programs are another way to deep-en your expertise and develop your skills. If taking care ofpeople is your passion, classes are available to you to receive

training in CPR and First Aid certification. Perhaps you enjoyhanging out by the pool and are a good swimmer. You canbecome certified to be a lifeguard. See the sample list of trainingprograms in the Appendix of this book.

There are many resources available locally to you, some ofwhich your school counselors can give you. You can join profes-sional organizations for practically anything from photographyto dirt bike racing. All you need to do is talk to people in yourcommunity or research programs online. Take the initiative to dosomething that will allow you to grow and learn.

Initiative, n. an introductory step; energy or aptitude displayed by action.

hobbies

H obbies are great ways to explore your interests and havefun. Working at a place relevant to your hobby allows youto spend time in an atmosphere you enjoy with other peo-

ple who share the same or similar interests. For example, if youenjoy sports and physical fitness, then consider working at arecreation center or health food store. Another idea is to sellwhat you make and use the proceeds to help fund a cause inyour community.


Hobby, n. a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged inespecially for relaxation.

In the last chapter, we discussed entrepreneurship. Manypeople have turned their hobbies into viable careers. Figuring outthe career potential of your hobby will require some creativethinking. The following activity can help you get started.

Source: Adapted from www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2001/Fall/art01.pdf

linking your hobby to a career

Answer the following questions about your selected hobby.

1. Is it possible to sell whatever it is that you make or do?

2. Can you teach others how to do your hobby, and would theybe willing to pay for the instruction?

3. Can you find a job repairing equipment that relates to yourhobby?

4. Do you know people who share your interest that you dis-cuss your hobby with?

campus communities

C reating communities within your school through clubs andextracurricular activities is another constructive way to planahead and have fun while you’re doing it. Your school’s coun-

seling office already has a list of clubs available for you to join. Ifwhat’s offered at your school doesn’t interest you, you could starta club of your own. Being an active participant in your school’sactivities, or helping to create a new club, is an excellent way tolearn more about what interests you and how to collaborate withother people. Activities like knitting, Tai Chi, African drumming,or hip-hop can be both fun and educational. Also, extracurricularactivities look good on any future applications you fill out.

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Collaborate, intransitive v: to work jointly with others or togetherespecially in an intellectual endeavor

Your high school is a great place to broaden your experiencebase and explore things you might love. Following is a list of clubsand extracurricular activities found on high school campusesacross the country—some obvious and some not so obvious.Choose at least three that may interest you (or you are already amember of).

SAMPLING OF COMMON CLUBS & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

4H School Newspaper

Art ROTC

Athletics Theatre

Book Delta Epsilon Chi Association (DECA)

Chess National Honor Society

Debate Team Junior Achievement

French Rotary International

Key Club Science

Knitting Student government

Media Technology

Music Yearbook

SAMPLING OF LESS COMMON CLUBS & EXTRACURRICULARS

Anime Fencing

Caribbean Kendo

Crossword Puzzles Laughing/Humor Club

Culinary Sudoku

Current Events Students for Human Rights

Dance Revolution Step Team

Foreign Film Study Abroad

Hip Hop

The following mind map shows different interests you mighthave and the subject areas in school that match them.


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exhibit 4.2Matching interests to subject areas.

Instrumental

Popular

Singing

Collecting

Driving

Fixing

www.fakeaddress.com

Making

Watching

Acting

Directing

Technical

Theatre Club

Scriptwriting

www.fakeaddress.com

Activities

Animals

Preservation

www.fakeaddress.comwww.fakeaddress.com

As Art

Creating

Photography Club

Classes

Non-team Sports

School Teams

Team Sports

www.fakeaddress.comwww.fakeaddress.com

Earth Science

Physics

Robotics

www.fakeaddress.com

Architecture

Carpentry

Metalworking

www.fakeaddress.com

Cooking

Eating

www.fakeaddress.com

Book Club

Reading

Writing

Newspaper

interests

ENGLISH LEADERSHIP

CARS SCIENCE

FILMMUSIC

SPORTSTHEATRE

FOODPHOTOGRAPHY

Critiquing

Design

Modeling

FASHION

NATUREBUILDING

COMPUTERS MATH

Governmentwww.fakeaddress.com

Helping Otherswww.fakeaddress.com

Gaming

The Internet

Programming

www.fakeaddress.com

Chess Club

Games

Problem Solving

www.fakeaddress.com

college majors

A college major is a program made up of classes that will allowyou to explore and focus on a certain field of academicstudy. As a college freshman, it is important not to panic or

jump into an area of study that doesn’t interest you. You usuallyhave until the end of your sophomore year in college to declare amajor. For instance, if your passion is communication, you canchoose this as a major and take classes such as public speaking,interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, groupcommunication or debate.

Be open-minded and employ yourcuriosity as a guide while exploring careeroptions. Our society loves choice, so thereare plenty of options for you to pick from.If you can’t narrow your major down toone choice, you can always claim dual oreven triple major(s) or minor(s). Some col-leges offer a first-year exploratory programfor freshman students who are undecidedand hesitant to declare their major. Theexploratory program is a unique experi-ence that provides close academic advisingand a liberal education that nurtures abroad perspective of a variety of career options. Remember, yourcollege major will probably only determine where you work foryour first job. Selecting a college major does not forever carveyour career in stone. Most careers do not require you to have onespecific degree. You can major in any number of different areasfor a given career field. Many people change jobs multiple timesthroughout their life, and the skills they develop throughout theirunique journey gives them the ability to be flexible and morphthose skills into a completely new career path.

The following action steps can help you pick a major:

1. Evaluation of your interests

2. Assessment of your personal abilities


3. What you value in the work you do/specific job environmentpreferences

4. Career exploration (match skills/interests with job duties)

5. Determining which majors will lead to your desired career.

college requirements

E very college has different requirements, and knowing whatthe school requires is essential to getting into your college ofchoice. For example, even though your high school may only

require two years of foreign languages, some colleges won’t eventconsider an applicant without four years of foreign languages.While you’re in high school, take electives that match what youthink you’ll want to major in.

Colleges also specialize in training students for particularcareer fields. For example, if you really want to go into architec-ture, you’ll want to find a school that has a reputation forproviding a great architect program. Not every school does.Attending college fairs is a great way to compare colleges andexplore your perfect college fit. Your school guid-ance counselor will know dates and locations whena college fair is being held in your area. Collegerecruiters and admissions counselors are availableat these events to talk with you about your inter-ests. You can also pick up college literature to takehome and show your parents. And it’s all FREE!

knowing your needs

J ust as no two students are exactly alike (noteven identical twins), so are no two colleges.There are educational programs specially suit-

ed for students with special needs or disabilities.Sometimes you have to be your own advocate.Here’s an example of how one student did just that.

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being a self-advocate

Luke Kirsten is a high school student with Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder (ADHD). After being assessed by the Eaton CoullLearning & Publishing Group, Luke greatly increased his self-knowledge. He was able to better understand his strengths andweaknesses and learned to understand his learning and specialneeds.

“My advice to teachers of students with learning differences is to tryto learn what you can about their problems so you can understandthem better.”

Journal entry, February 2005

Luke was having a hard time in school. “If I try to just listento the teacher without doing anything else at the same time, mymind darts off onto everything else that is going on inside (or evenoutside) the classroom.” Through an advocacy training program,Luke discovered that he learned best while doingsomething physical and practical, rather thanjust sitting and listening. Luke learned that healso liked being a teacher. “When my SkillsClass turned into a sort of math/scienceremediation program in Grade 9, I foundmyself getting pretty bored because I actu-ally understood those subjects pretty well.”

Luke took the initiative to help other kidsin the class who were not having such an easytime. Luke’s teacher noticed how helpful he was inthe classroom and suggested he become a peer tutor in the future.Luke also enjoyed helping out in a Saturday morning class foryounger kids with ADHD. “I suggested lots of fun activities. Ithink they really enjoyed my high energy level, as well as seeing theliving proof that you can survive, and even thrive, having ADHD.”

Through self-advocacy, Luke learned to reframe his disabili-ty and make a positive plan for the future. He has appeared at

Luke with his 6 year-old brother, Th

eo

various conferences and seminars to share his experiences of liv-ing with a learning difference.

Source: http://www.eclg.com/community_kirsten.php

If you’re struggling in an area, whether academic or social/emo-tional, seek help. There are many people and programs eager tohelp students achieve their best in school and in life. Please referto our resource list in the Appendix section of this book aboutcollege programs for students with learning disabilities or atten-tion deficit disorders.

When it comes time to picking a college to attend, you’llwant to investigate schools that offer services to meet yourunique needs and interests. The next book in the LifeBoundseries, Junior Guide to Senior Success, discusses the college selec-tion process and how to pick the best college for you.

funding—paying for college

A s you determine what college youwish to attend, another importantquestion to ask yourself is: “What

is it going to cost, and how will I pay forit?” You should fill out your financialaid forms BEFORE you are accepted toa school. You can list multiple schoolson your FAFSA form. Colleges may notbe able to offer to give you a sufficientamount to pay for your educationbecause they only have what the gov-ernment has given them to distributeamong thousands of other students.

Discuss your finances with your parents or guardian, and ifneed be, decide if you are willing to take out loans to coverexpenses or if you should consider attending a more affordableschool.

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Following is a list of resource options that will make payingfor your education a little easier:

■ Grants: Are offered by most colleges based on financial needand fund availability and don’t need to be paid back.

■ Loans: This money needs to be paid back. Conditions arespecific to whatever bank or government agency you borrowfrom. Loans also come with interest-rates that vary greatlyand over time, add to the amount you owe your creditor(this expense is similar to credit card interest fees).

■ Scholarships: These awards vary greatly, depending upon avariety of specifications but they are usually based on youracademic accomplishments or activities that you have partici-pated in. Scholarships are available everywhere but it’s yourresponsibility to find them, use resources such as your guid-ance counselor, the Internet, and local organizations.

■ Federal-work study: Work-study is a federally funded edu-cational aid program that provides money for students topay for educational expenses that are not covered by otherresources such as scholarships and grants. A work-studyjob allows you to work while you are enrolled in collegeand attending classes. The convenience of having a work-study job is working on-campus or with organizations nearyour campus.

■ Internships: Internships are a great way to gain a realisticview of the career you’re thinking about entering. Mostinternship positions are unpaid, but interns receive valuablejob experience, as they expand your social network with pro-fessionals in your field of interest. Internships are a greatsource for finding mentors who can offer plenty of valuableand honest insight about their jobs. Internships are also agreat way to earn academic credit for college. Check withyour college’s internship program office to see how manycredit hours you can earn and how much they will cost.Internships are designed to offer a professional learning


experience, and therefore you may not be paid, but they usu-ally offer a flexible work schedule.

share the journey

T here are amazing stories people can tell you about where theycame from and how they got from high school to where theyare today. Ask your parents, teachers, coaches and neighbors

about their experiences. If they went to college, ask them abouttheir experiences in high school when they were your age prepar-ing for the future. You can learn from things that went well forthem, as well as the things they wish they’d done differently

If they didn’t go to college or if they took some time off, askthem why they made the choices they did, and if they wouldchange anything about their choices if they could.

Comparing and contrasting your experience to others’ is anexcellent way to feel less pressured when thinking about thefuture. Sift through the advice and insight your role models, orothers in your life, have to offer. Even if you don’t find someoneyou can relate to, be a courteous and an active listener. Don’t crit-icize people for their choices; they were vulnerable enough toshare their lives with you. Stay open, learn and absorb withoutpassing judgment. The following poem describes the value ofsharing our stories.

“What’s Your Story?”

Every life and every heart reveals a story,if we only take time to listen;almost every smile hides a tear,but somehow, the clues we keep on missing.When you look into someone’s eyes,try not to be fooled by what you see;instead, search for that seed in their soul,that uncovers the root of their journey.

See, what you may be surprised to find,is that their hurt may heal your wounds;

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their suffering may soften your pain,and their tragedy may even open your tomb.Just when you thought no one could understand,here they stand traveling a similar path;just when you felt too embarrassed to breathe again,you found someone who could hold you and laugh.

Life was never meant to be easy,but whoever said it was meant to be endured alone;if we could only master the art of storytelling,we’d never have to search too long for a home.Because empathetic hearts would be our sanctuary,open ears would be our refuge;other people’s tears would be our medicine,and our fears wouldn’t appear so huge.

So go ahead, ask me, What’s my story?and I promise I’ll tell you no lie;in fact, I can’t wait to tell you the whole truth,because my soul is slowly starting to die.And after I soothe my spirit by telling you my story,I promise I’ll listen to yours;and maybe we can comfort each other,so neither one of us will have to suffer alone any more.

by Joe A. Martin, Jr.Copyright © 2003

what if you’re afraid?

D on’t let yourself be intimidated by new experiences. If youdon’t like something, try something else. Following is a storyabout a young man who changed his life path after reaching

college. Keep in mind, you don’t need to wait that long to dis-cover your passion.

Grazi thought he had it all planned out. All his life, he knewhe would take over his father’s Italian restaurant. It had been inhis family for generations, ever since his great-grandparents


moved to America from Italy. Because Grazi was an only child, itwas expected that he carry on the family business.

When he got to college, he noticed his roommate brought aguitar with him. Intrigued, Grazi asked him if he could try it.“Sure,” his roommate said, shrugging his shoulders. Grazi hadnever played a musical instrument before, but he liked pluckingat the strings of the guitar. His roommate offered to give himsome lessons, and before he knew it, Grazi joined a band formedby some of the students in his dorm. He had a natural talent formusic and felt electrified whenever he played. The grades in his

business classes began to drop, as Grazi took littleinterest in them. He wanted to switch his major tomusic performance. His family was angered bythis, but after realizing Grazi’s deep passion formusic, they understood that Grazi was ultimate-

ly in charge of his destiny. Grazi doesn’t regrethis decision—he is a now a professional gui-

tarist and lives in Los Angeles.Trusting your instincts and following

your heart is essential when choosing acollege and career path. While it might bedifficult or even appear impossible tostray from the expectations of others, it isimportant for you to live your life in a

way that will make you fulfilled and happy. Being informed is alsoessential to reaching your educational and career goals. That’swhy taking advantage of everything that’s out there—from yourschool’s guidance office to interest assessments to college fairs—can help you find the college and career path that’s best for you.

checking in

Reread the story early in this chapter on Emily, and answer thefollowing questions:

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What did you learn from Emily’s story?

What do you think would have happened if Emily had suppressedher interest in sports?

Is there an interest or talent you have that you’re neglecting?What can you do to develop or explore it more fully?


Sophomore Guide to College and Career

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