Happy Spring!

As I am writing this, I still have snow on the ground. But the air “smells” like spring.  I’ve gotten over the hour loss of sleep and am looking forward to putting my winter clothes away and breaking out the fun colors of spring and summer.

This is also a time, as a junior, to begin to explore your world after graduation. I know…you have some time left. But I am struggling with the fact that it is March…what happened to January and February. Time goes by so fast. 

My daughter was very organized in searching for her “perfect fit.” She was an athlete, so she was looking for a college that would help her reach her goal of becoming a veterinarian, while allowing her to play soccer. As summer approached and we were planning our college visits, I asked her to come up with her “short” list. Well, her “short” list was 12! Clearly, her idea of short and mine were different. We whittled that down to 7 and actually visited 5. But it was a special time. We had wonderful conversations, long rides in the car, and a focus on finding her “best fit.”

We accomplished visits during the summer, but the plan began in the spring. Looking at the schools, “feeling” the vibe from the campus, and understanding the courses and rigor of the schools were important in our decision. While my daughter was the ultimate decision maker, I played a role because of the financial implications. Thankfully, we had a meeting of the minds. She had her top 3 by the end of that summer.

So, as a junior, it is important to get your “short” list, understand what the schools can offer for your career, and, if possible, visit campuses. We didn’t have the option of virtual tours back then, but you do. Take advantage of that. Doing this while you are a junior will reduce the stress as you enter your senior year. You’ll have part of your plan in place, so you will be focused in applying to colleges in the fall and filling out financial aid forms like the FAFSA.

There are many fun things to do as you wrap up your junior year. Enjoy every minute. That time will not come back, so you need to grab it. Continue to make memories.   

Patricia G. Egan, MBA, CFRE

Executive Director at LEAF

Junior year is the time to narrow down your post-high school options. Regardless of your path, it’s important to investigate your options thoroughly while exploring the postsecondary education or training required to be successful in the career(s) you are considering. If undecided on a path, check out online self assessments to match your interests, skills/strengths, and values to career choices. Explore career clusters. Research job requirements, work conditions, pay, educational/training requirements, and job growth for specific occupations at:

• BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Career OneStop
• MyNextMove.org

If you plan to enter the workforce after graduation, it's not too early to start preparing for that next step.

• Check out local job listings for jobs that interest you. Note the skills or training requirements. Consider how you can obtain those skills before graduation.
• Begin to build a resume.
• Create a LinkedIn account.
• Research interview techniques.
• Make sure your social media positively reflects you.
• Build a job reference list.
• Take on a job or internship this summer that will help you learn relevant skills and make connections.

If you plan to enlist in the military after graduation, you can research your options and familiarize yourself with the enlistment process on todaysmilitary.com.

• Get connected to a local recruiter via military branch websites.
• Learn about the Armed Services Vocational Battery (ASVAB) test and prepare for it. This test will determine the military career opportunities available to you.
• Stay focused on your schoolwork. English, math, and science classes will prepare you for the ASVAB.
• Know the physical fitness requirements for military entrance and train accordingly.

If you plan to become a military officer, explore military service academies and ROTC programs at four-year colleges.

If you plan to pursue a trade or technical career and will need to earn certification through a career technical education program after high school graduation, you can be proactive by:

• Exploring adult education programs at career technical education centers (like Auburn Career Center or Northern Career Institute) and certificate programs at community colleges (like Lakeland Community College and Tri-C), branch campuses (like Kent State-Ashtabula) or online though colleges & universities like Kent State University.
• Looking into apprenticeship opportunities for your chosen field.
• Researching financial aid and scholarships at the schools you are considering. Look for external scholarships for the skilled trades and other technical careers.
• Finding a summer job, internship, or volunteer work to help explore careers further, build your resume, and make connections.

If you plan to pursue a college degree, continue to build a list of potential colleges and universities. In order to figure out where you will fit best, it’s important to look at numerous options. Use online resources like the School Sort on OCIS and those offered through your school, such as Naviance or Scoir, to search for schools based on your specifications including major, location, size, and affordability.

Keep in mind that, although you should be aware of each school's "sticker price" and the types of financial aid they offer, you will not know the true cost of any given school for you until winter/spring of senior year. So, don't rule out a school that's a good fit for you because you're not sure you can afford it. Keep your options open as you are building your list.

Plan to apply to a variety of schools. Make sure that you have a good mix of public and private schools on your list. Public schools tend to have a lower "sticker price" but typically do not offer as much in financial aid as private schools. Consider adding a community college or a school within a commutable distance to your list. The cost to live on campus including a dining plan can range from $10,000-$15,000 per year. Also make sure that your list contains a good mix of schools based on the likelihood of being accepted. In recent years, colleges have seen a substantial increase in the number of applications they are receiving annually, causing their acceptance rates to decline. Students should research average qualifications (GPA, test scores, etc.) for accepted students at each of their schools and should be sure to apply to a good mix of reach, match, and safety schools next year.

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Campus visits are essential to helping you select a school where you fit best. They offer a first-hand observation of the college’s culture, academic programs, facilities, atmosphere, and student population.

Juniors should continue to look for scholarships open to them. They should also be researching the institutional scholarships offered by the colleges that they are considering. Many colleges tie institutional scholarship eligibility with submitting their application for admission by an early deadline which can be as early as fall of senior year. Junior students should be taking proactive steps to ensuring they can hit those early deadlines including (1) knowing where they will apply, (2) understanding the college admission process and the information they will need to report on college applications, and (3) having their best ACT/SAT scores available by early fall.

Scholarship Search Websites

BigFuture

Cappex

Career OneStop

College Board

College Gold

Fast Web

Going Merry

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

LEAF

My Scholly

Ohio Means Jobs

Peterson's

SallieMae Ohio

Scholarship Owl

Scholarship 360

Scholarships for Women

United Negro College Fund

Don't forget that LEAF is a free resource at your high school to assist with career exploration and college/career technical program search, and to answer all of your postsecondary education funding questions.

Get connected with your LEAF advisor today!



Thank you to Western Reserve Junior Service League for making this publication possible and to all of our LEAF E-Newsletter sponsors: