Color Your World2014 Women’s Leadership

Conference

Preparing for College & Career

Today’s Agenda• High School vs. College: The same?

• High School vs. College: Some

differences

• Making the Most Out of College

• Acquiring Knowledge about YOU

• Acquiring Knowledge about Careers

• Sharpening Leadership Skills

• What's Next?

• Sample 4 Year Plan

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High School

What’s the Same?

College

What’s the Same?

The Differences: ClassesSchool-directed schedule and back to back Students must manage their own schedules.

General education classes dictated by district Course topics based on field of study

Classes last a full school year (36 weeks) Classes are usually a semester long (15 weeks)

Attendance is mandatory and monitored Attendance policies vary with each instructor.

Classes have around 30-35 students. Classes may have 100 or more students.

Textbooks are provided at little or no expense. Textbooks can be expensive.

Guidance is provided so that students are aware of graduation requirements.

Graduation requirements are complex and vary.

The Differences: InstructorsGrade and check completed homework. Assume homework is completed and students

are able to perform on a test.

Remind students of incomplete assignments. May not remind students of incomplete or missed assignments

May know students’ needs and approachstudents when they need assistance.

Are usually open and helpful, but expectstudents to initiate contact for assistance

Have been trained in teaching methods. Have content knowledge but not necessarily formal training in teaching methods.

Present material to help students understand what is in the textbook.

May not follow the textbook. Lecturesenhance the topic area.

Often write out information for note-taking May lecture nonstop.

Often take time to remind students ofassignment and test dates.

Expect students to read, save, and referback to the course syllabus.

The Differences: Studying

Study time outside of class may be as little as 1-3 hours per week per class

Generally need to study at least 2-3 hoursoutside of class for each hour in class.

Instructors may review class notes and textmaterial regularly for classes. Review class notes and text material regularly.

Expected to read short assignments that arediscussed and retaught.

Substantial amounts of assigned reading andwriting may not be directly addressed in class.

The Differences: Testing

Frequent, covering small amounts of material.Usually infrequent (2-3 times a semester).

Maybe cumulative and cover large amounts ofmaterial.

Make-up tests are often available. Make-up tests are seldom an option and mayhave to be requested.

Test dates can be arranged to avoid conflictswith other events.

Usually, scheduled tests are without regard toother demands.

Frequently conducts review sessions emphasizing important concepts prior to tests.

Faculty rarely offer review sessions; if so students are expected to be prepared and to

be active participants

The Differences: GradesGiven for most assigned work. May not be provided for all assigned work.

Good homework grades may assist in raisingover grade when test grades are lower.

Tests and major papers provide the majority ofthe grade.

Extra credit options are often available. Generally speaking, extra-credit options are not used to raise a grade.

Initial test grades, especially when low, maynot have adverse effect on grade.

First tests are often “wake up” calls to let youknow what is expected.

Graduation requirements may be met with agrade of D or higher.

Requirements may be met only if the student’saverage meets the departmental standards.

(Hint: Generally a 2.0 or higher.)

…Discussion…What challenges do you expect to face?

What can you can do to overcome them?

Don’t let this be you!

Making the Most Out of College

Internships

Part-time on campus jobs

Part-time off campus jobs

Athletics

Informational Interviews

Self Assessments

Job-ShadowingCareer Counseling

Campus Organizations

Research Experience

Study Abroad

Networking w/ classmates

Service Projects

Making new friends

Attending on-campus events

Volunteering

Taking a variety of courses

Get to know your professors

Making The Most of College

Acquiring Knowledge about YOUphotography, math,

computers, working with children, history, writing, fashion, reading, sports, science, crafts, nutrition, designing,talking to people, working out, art

empathetic, argumentative, type-A, adventurous, creative, practical, conservative, open-

minded, resourceful, independent, reflective,

extraverted,confident, go-getter

perfectionist, shy

tutoring others, working with animals, handling an emergencysituation, showing compassion to others, organizing a messy space, proofreading an essay, winning an argument, researching information

variety, power,

time by myself, jobsecurity, helping others

creativity, prestige, adventure, financial security, associating

with people that I like, autonomy, having a set routine,

challenge, leisure time,

Acquiring Knowledge About Careers

What do you want to know?

How can you find out?

Acquiring Knowledge About Careers

OOH | www.bls.gov/oco

O*Net | www.onetonline.org

Acquiring Knowledge About Careers

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For:

• Communication ( L / V /

W )

• Analytic & Research

• Computer & Technical

Literacy

• Flexibility, Adaptability,

&

Multiple Priorities

• Interpersonal Abilities

• Multicultural Sensitivity &

Awareness

• Teamwork

• Leadership & Management

• Problem Solving,

Reasoning, &

Creativity

•Planning & Organization

Sharpening Your Leadership Skills

1. Foster a reputation for being helpful and

resourceful

2. Encourage others through positivity

3. Lead collaboratively, not cutthroat

4. Mentor someone newer

5. Get on the radar by networking

6. Gain your colleagues trust

7. Be a self starter

So What’s Next?

4 Year Plan Meet with a career counselor for career counseling

Begin to research careers that interest you

Take a personalized assessment

Take a variety of academic classes and stay open-minded about a major

Get acquainted with professors, academic advisors, and counselors

Identify your interests, skills, and values & learn how they relate to majors

Join a campus organization

Establish effective study habits

Meet with an advisor to discuss study habits, time management, or learning style

Summer After Freshman Year

Get a job or internship that relates to your college major or career interest

Gain work experience and start developing a strong business and work ethic

4 Year Plan Meet with an advisor for help choosing a major

Research careers of interest

Develop a resume to apply for internships and summer jobs

Establish a LinkedIn account and start networking with current students and alums

Complete and informational interview

Take a leadership role in an organization on campus

Declare a major and a minor

Research and consider study abroad options

Summer After Sophomore Year

Study abroad or get a summer job relating to your field and to develop your skills

Strengthen your resume by developing references and a good reputation

4 Year Plan Secure an internship in your interest or major

Learn how to relate your major to job market

Update your resume, develop a cover letter, and have them reviewed by a career counselor

Get involved in a professional organization related to your career field to expand network

Get information about graduate schools & take appropriate entrance exams

Seek to deepen conversation and relationships with professors, advisors, and staff,

especially in major coursework, research projects, seminars, and student organizations

Summer After Junior Year

Excel in your summer internship

Further develop job-related skills

Compile an inventory of interests and qualifications and how they relate to your objective

4 Year Plan Check out Career Center Events

Update and refine resume

Begin browsing job posting sites, particularly the one associated with your college

Map out your job search strategies: target and contact and follow up with potential

employers

Attend career fairs and networking events

If planning to attend graduate school, follow up on applications and keep a record of each

Review your graduation audit to determine that you will meet degree requirements and

complete your application for diploma

Meet with a career counselor

Continue to be an active member or leader in a professional organization

Evaluate job offers

Questions?

Jennifer Stout: jlstout@meredith.edu