News Article:
Helping Your Teen Decide What to Do After High School
Helping to prepare your teen for life after high school
is one of the most important tasks you'll have as a parent. Although
it can be difficult to imagine your baby as an adult, with the right
approach, helping your teen make the transition into
adulthood can also be rewarding.
Going to college, getting a job, or taking time off are the common
choices your teen will likely face. Here's how you can
help your adult-to-be make the decision that's right
for him or her.
College or Technical School Although you may remember starting
your own college search in the fall of your 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 more competitive programs.
In fact, many students begin as early as the fall of their junior year.
A good preparation for your teen 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:
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academic and personal strengths and weaknesses
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extracurricular activities
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awards
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grade point average (GPA)
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class rank
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SAT, ACT, or AP scores
Next, your teen needs to think about and list the qualities
he or she is looking for in a college. Does your child want to go away
to school, stay close to home,
or take online courses, for example?
Armed with the preliminary information your teen has
gathered, it's time to begin the research. Guidebooks, the Internet,
and counselors at school are
particularly helpful resources. As your child chooses potential schools,
you and your teen should start to make campus visits,
during which time he or she can talk with students attending the college.
Experts suggest narrowing the choices to a diverse mix of about six
to 10 schools where the odds
range from low to high of your teen gaining admission. Applications
should be filled out completely and neatly, including the essay, which
your teen should revise until confident that it's his
or her best work. Many schools
offer help in these areas. There are also individuals you can hire if
your child's school doesn't
have the resources to help.
And don't cross college off the list because you're afraid the tuition
will be too steep. There are many ways to receive financial
help. You can ask the following about scholarships and
other programs that
may help:
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the school counselor
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the colleges' financial-aid offices
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your employer; ask about any programs that they may offer
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Federal aid programs are also available.
Job Options If college isn't an option or your teen
needs extra time to earn money for tuition, going directly to the work
force 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 his or her 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, your teen 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
specifies that.
Getting a job immediately after high school remains a good choice.
If this is the route your teen wishes to take, he or
she needs 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.
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