Choosing a College Major..eenie meenie miney moe

Do you sometimes wish choosing a major was as easy as a spin of the wheel? Or forget luck, why not try blindly opening the college catalog to let fate decide the direction of your life?

Well thankfully there are many guides and assessments to help with this very important choice in life. I have scoured the internet to bring you the best ones out there. In addition to online resources, here is some of my own advice.

The College Counselor's Advice

• Choosing a major before applying is crucial if you want to attend a school that is known for its exceptional program or for being a leader in the field.  
• EX: If you want to be a journalist, do your research now on schools with strong journalism programs. Request a tour and get in touch with department heads before or while applying. This will definitely make you stand out among other applicants. 
• Many schools have impacted major programs due to too many applicants and budget cuts. Do your research and networking homework to find out how to get in.

•  There is nothing wrong with starting college undeclared. Do not feel pressured to declare a major as a freshman unless you know that your college has major programs that are impacted OR if you are on a strict pre-med or pre-law schedule.
• During your first year take as many general education classes as possible and schedule an appointment with your school's career center. They can provide counseling and resources such as assessments and guides on informational interviews. In addition, make friends with your advisor to make sure your new major wont have you in school for another 7 years.

• Think you know exactly what you want to major in? Get some hands on experience to back up your decision. Schedule an information interview with a professional in the industry. Most people would love to take 20 minutes of their day to help a student out. Want to take it a step further? Get an internship! See my article on Summer Internships.

• According to the NCAA's public service announcements, "Almost all student-athletes are going pro in something other than sports." (www.ncaa.org).Planning on a career as a 1st round draft pick for the NFL? There is nothing wrong with setting your standards high, but be prepared; have a back up plan. Choose a major that is in line with your other skills and interests.Want to stay in the sports arena no matter what? Check out the Exercise Science department for careers in sports medicine, physical education, exercise and health care.

• Don't forget to set up an action plan with short-term and long-term goals. First, determine goal (EX-I will decide on a major), Second, set deadlines (EX- I will set up an appointment with the career counselor right before Winter Break), Lastly, identify people that can help you, and think of any obstacles that may get in your way. Remember-it is OKto re-evaluate and change goals.  Just make sure to start the process from the beginning with the new goal.http://www.oakland.edu/?id=1697&sid=62

Online Resources for Choosing a Major

• Why your Major is so Important
• http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/959.html 

• The Party Game: an easy online assessment posted on Oakland University's website. It will match your interests and skills with similar majors and careers (based on the Holland Code). Read all the directions and then click next for next page.
• http://www.oakland.edu/?id=1038&sid=62 
• Help Me Choose My Major
• http://www.eduguide.org/Parents-Library/Choose-My-College-Major-2425.aspx
• After you have decided on your 3-5 top majors, check out this link from USC's career services website. Click on the major and it will take you to a page that lists professional organizations, major employers, and other website links (such as career resources and online industry magazines and handbooks) based on the industry and professions related to that specific major.
• http://careers.usc.edu/students/career-information/

College Bound Student-Athletes: Are you NCAA Eligible?

Since you were 5 years old, your dad's dream, I mean, your dream was to become a professional baseball player. After little league all-stars, private pitching and hitting lessons, and a dedicated trophy room, you have proven yourself worthy of a prime spot on the high school team. BUT this is just the beginning. Next step is playing ball on a Division 1 College Team. Sure, you made friends with the scouts at games, worked extra hard at practice AND got featured in the local paper for your Perfect Game, but are you actually eligible to play in the NCAA?? Here are some resources to make sure you hit all the bases. :)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary organization that governs the nation's college and university athletics programs. The NCAA is committed to the best interests, education and athletics participation of all student-athletes, and it is dedicated to insuring that athletic competition is safe and fair. The NCAA also makes sure that student-athletes have the grades to be successful not only on the field, but also in the college classroom. (http://www.ncaa.org)

THE ELIGIBILITY CENTER The NCAA has created an impressive website that outlines all the information and resources needed in order to secure eligibility. You can even click on a virtual "student mentor" to help  walk you through the process. You will need to register on the site if you plan to enroll in a Division I or II college or university. Click HERE to go directly to that website. For the entire 24-page Eligibility Center Guide entitled 2009-10 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete; Where Academic and Athletics Success is your Goal, Please Click HERE **AND Since we all know I love checklists, click HERE to print out your own eligibility process check list.

NCAA Sports by Season (with links to each sport's NCAA web-page):
Fall Men's Cross Country Women's Cross Country Field Hockey Football Men's Soccer Women's Soccer Women's Volleyball Men's Water Polo	Winter Men's Basketball Women's Basketball Women's Bowling Fencing Men's Gymnastics Women's Gymnastics Men's Ice Hockey Women's Ice Hockey Rifle Skiing Men's Swimming & Diving Women's Swimming & Diving Men's Indoor Track Women's Indoor Track Men's Wrestling	Spring Baseball Men's Golf Women's Golf Men's Lacrosse Women's Lacrosse Women's Rowing Softball Men's Tennis Women's Tennis Men's Outdoor Track Women's Outdoor Track Men's Volleyball Women's Water Polo

SOURCES:
http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html
http://www.ncaastudent.org/NCAA_Guide.pdf
http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/eligibility_center/Student_Registration_Info/EligibilityProcess.pdf

I have NO IDEA what I want to be when I grow up!

When I was 8, I wanted to be Madonna. When I was 13, I realized Madonna wasn't giving up her day job just yet, so I decided I was going to be a News Reporter. Now at 25, I love College Counseling! Obviously (and thankfully) our interests change over the years as we learn new skills and open our minds to the many different career paths we can take. Sometimes all it takes is a teacher to tell a student how great he or she is in a certain subject to make him or her think twice about pursing it as a career. (That's exactly what happened to me!)

Career Assessments are a great place to start exploring different career paths. All college career centers use assessments as one of their main counseling tools  when a student comes in confused on what major to declare, or what industry would best fit their skills and interests.

Here are some excellent career assessments and activities to get you or you student  thinking about "When I grow up, I wanna be a...."

1. http://www.khake.com/page51.html (K-12, College)

• Look under Career Quizzes and Skill Assessments. There are numerous career assessments, games, and quizzes for high school and college students 

• Here is a fun quick and easy quiz that parents and students can do together: http://www.yourchildscareer.org/CareerCheck02.htm

• This is a great website for middle school, high school, college students, or adults returning to school. Pick which one describes you and take the quiz, play the game, or watch the videos: http://www.whodouwant2b.com/

• For  parents out there with even younger kids go to the Career Guides and Activities for Kids: http://www.khake.com/page64.html 

2. http://www.texascaresonline.com/assessment/samenu.asp

• For Middle School, High School, College students

• This assessment will help students explore occupations based on their  interests.

For more information on career guidance, career and industry profiles, salaries, and other tools, check out the sites below:

 3. www.wetfeet.com (High School, College)

•   Info on Company, Industry, and Career Profiles, as well as salary data.

 www.careerinfonet.com (High School, College)

•  occupation, industry, salary, career tools

Summer Lovin' Job and Internships

I know, I know, the last thing you want to hear right now is Get a Job!! All you can think about is counting down the days until "SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER"!! I remember my brother and I rockin' out to that Alice Cooper song every June during our younger years to celebrate the beginning of our 3 months of freedom. Then high school hit and it was time for another tune- "Summertime Blues" (for all my Alan Jackson fans out there).

But lets not get the blues too fast! Think of it this way-not only will a summer job get you some extra cash, but it will also do wonders for your college applications! Especially if its related to something you might want to pursue during or after college. This type of job is called an Internship. According to www.thefreedictionary.com, an Intern is "a student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training." Hey that's you!!

Here are the top 3 Reasons to get an Internships during Summer:

1. Make your college application STAND OUT.

• Sure working at Jamba Juice or Pizza Hut is an excellent way to make money during the summer, but leave those jobs for your friends. I want you to take it a step further and think of work experience that can strengthen your application based on your interests. Want to get involved in the fashion industry? Apply at Nordstrom! Interested in graphic design? Find a local business that needs help with their website. I wanted to be a journalism major in college so I got in touch with a family friend who owned a magazine and I ended up interning at their office for two summers. It was a great way to learn about the industry and my experience made me STAND OUT! 

2. Find out what YOU are interested in.

• I know you have heard "what do you want to be when you grow up?" a thousand times, but now is the time to actually answer the question! Like most high schools students you probably have no idea. Well, that's what an internship is for! It will help you learn more about different careers and majors that you might want to study in college. Think you like kids? Volunteer at a Summer Camp. You might realize your dream job is to become a teacher, or you might learn that you would run marathons for a living than spend another day with the little monsters. ;) 

3. Learn the ropes of the Career World.

• Here is your chance to find out how a real business runs. Sure, you might be fetching coffee or shredding files all day, but you still get to be a vital part of the company for the time being. Ask questions, get to know employees, make the most out it! This will be your first experience with a very important tool in life: Networking. Keep in touch with the people you worked with. You never know, one day they might give you a full time job!

OK, now lets all go get internships!! But wait, where do I find these internships??

The best way to find internships is to first, figure out what you may be interested in, and then turn to your circle of friends and family who might be able to help you. Here is another life lesson peeps: Many times when looking for a job, It's all about who you know, and who they know! Still no luck? Visit your high school counselor, or look online for info on local businesses/opportunities that might appeal to you. Also, look for summer job fairs in your community.

So you have decided you want to be the guy who comes up with the hilarious Jack In the Box commercials one day! Great! Ask a local restaurant or boutique if you could help them with advertising by starting a Facebook group, or passing out flyers. Every experience counts!

Start calling around NOW to get a head start. May is a perfect month to secure your summer job. Here is a sample calling script you can use based on the scripts used at the California Lutheran University Career Center (http://www.callutheran.edu/career_services)

"Hello, my name is (Your Name), and I am currently a junior/senior at (Your High School). I am calling to find out if you might have any needs for a part-time/ full-time intern this summer? I could help with projects, computer work, and clerical needs. I am interested in studying business in college and after reviewing your website, I tthink I could learn a lot by interning at (Name of Company). I wanted to stop by next week and introduce myself so if any part-time/full-time needs arise now or in the next couple weeks, you can keep me in mind."

*Remember, not all internships are paid internships, but the experience you get will be extremely valuable in regards to your college applications, resume, and life skills.

For more information, check out my sources:

• http://www.fastweb.com/college-jobs-internships/articles/205-internships-for-high-school-students
• http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/8382.html 
• Here is a great local website to get ideas and start looking for internships in Los Angeles: http://jobstar.org/socal/adjobs/summer.php#High

Which College is Right for Me?

When I was 10 years old, I was involved in a theater group that put on the play Oliver at Pepperdine University. The first time I stepped on campus I knew this was the college for me. 7 years later, I was a high school senior, editor in chief for my school's  newspaper and very involved in leadership and socializing (that's a sport, right??). Although theater was the furthest thing from my mind at this point-Pepperdine was still my top choice for college. Having further researched the school, it had the communications program I wanted, the private school environment I wanted to be a part of, and my idea of the perfect location; on the beach in Malibu!

Do you need help finding your perfect college? www.MyPlan.com offers an excellent search tool that lets you choose criteria (from location and size of school to tuition costs and majors available) that will let you narrow down which schools would appeal to you the most. After listing the schools that match your needs, you can view more information on the different colleges and/or go directly to their own school websites.

To go directly to the college database query engine on the MyPlan site,go to:http://www.myplan.com/education/db/ug/query.php 


My other favorite college search tool is on Petersons.com.

Click here to decide what is important to you, Location? Size? Athletics? Clubs?: http://www.petersons.com/ugchannel/code/searches/srchCrit1.asp

 I really like this site not only for the extensive college database but also for its search criteria. It has the Basics such as location, setting, size, cost, type, religious and ethnic affiliation, academics, student body ratio, and selectivity. Sure, that's all important stuff, but my favorite part is the Campus Life search. Calling all athletes!! Here is the perfect place for you to research which schools have your sports and in what division. Also-this Campus Life section has search functions for clubs, greek life, and unique housing opportunities available. Ya know-the fun stuff!

For example, I did a simple search on colleges in California that have Division 1 Baseball teams. I could have narrowed it down a lot more, but for the sake of time I didn't. :) My results yielded 21 schools in CA that have D1 Baseball teams with an array of information on each school.

Sometimes these search queries can be tricky, comment or email if you have questions. Enjoy!

Hello Blogger World! Here are My Top 5 College Checklists

Hello everyone!

After much thought and many California dreams-I have decided to start blogging on my favorite topic: College Counseling!  In today's college bound world, there are many college resources available online. However, that sometimes makes things more confusing, and harder to focus on finding accurate and essential information specific to you or your student. I decided to make things a little simpler for you all and blog about my favorite sites that I have used over the last couple years.  If you have any questions or concerns, or want to add your favorite sites, feel free to comment or email me at anytime. I am also willing to review sites for you guys if you want to know my opinions. More than anything I want this blog to be a place where people can come get crucial advice and info for college without getting overwhelmed. Writing your college admissions essay is enough stress already right??

My first topic and a very important place to start is: College Prep Checklists. Checklists are essential in making sure you are organized and taking care of important events/assignments on time. Print these out and put in your assignment book, in your locker, hang on the fridge, or be real subtle parents and make copies for your student's car, pillow, shower door, or local Del Taco drive through window. Here are my favorites:

1. http://www.cccco.edu/Portals/4/Find/College_Prep_Checklist.pdf

• Print this out now!! This is a perfect in-depth College Prep checklist that you can use starting before high school through 12th grade. It lists everything from what classes to take, when to take pre-college exams, financial aid info, how important getting involved is and when to contact and visit colleges. This checklist was found on the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office website. http://www.cccco.edu/

2.http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/CollPrep.pdf

• Put in your Google favorites ASAP! In today's economy, going to college is more expensive than ever. Here is an excellent college prep checklist from studentaid.ed.gov highlighting steps to ensure appropriate financial aid for college for pre-high school students-high school seniors.

3. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/8435.html

• Ok, you have finally decided on what schools you are going to apply for. So exciting! But even more overwhelming. Use this checklist to stay organized and on track with application tasks, paperwork and deadlines.

4. https://www1.salliemae.com/content/pdf/library/sm%20step-by-step%20guide.pdf

• Financial Aid process still confusing? Use this step by step guide to Student Financial Aid.

4. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/9763.html

• Congrats! You got accepted. Now what do you bring for your dorm? This checklist on collegeboard.com will tell you. Now don't start looking for the local U-Haul number right away.. Most colleges have a  local Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, or my favorite, Target, so you can buy most essentials once you have arrived. However, if your daughter's shoe collection is as big as mine-you might want to reconsider the U-Haul trailer. ;)