For high school junior girls to prepare them on what to expect when entering college and how to explore careers

1. 2014 Women’s Leadership Conference
Color Your World
Preparing for
College & Career

2. Today’s Agenda
• High School vs. College: The same?
big
• High School vs. College: Some
• Making the Most Out of College
• Acquiring Knowledge about YOU
• Acquiring Knowledge about Careers
• Sharpening Leadership Skills
• What's Next?
• Sample 4 Year Plan
differences

3. What’s the
Same?
High School

4. What’s the
Same?
College

5. The Differences: Classes
School-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.

6. The Differences: Instructors
Grade 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 approach
students when they need assistance.
Are usually open and helpful, but expect
students 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. Lectures
enhance the topic area.
Often write out information for note-taking
May lecture nonstop.
Often take time to remind students of
assignment and test dates.
Expect students to read, save, and refer
back to the course syllabus.

7. 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 hours
outside of class for each hour in class.
Instructors may review class notes and text
material regularly for classes.
Review class notes and text material regularly.
Expected to read short assignments that are
discussed and retaught.
Substantial amounts of assigned reading and
writing may not be directly addressed in class.

8. The Differences: Testing
Frequent, covering small amounts of material.
Usually infrequent (2-3 times a semester).
Maybe cumulative and cover large amounts of
material.
Make-up tests are often available.
Make-up tests are seldom an option and may
have to be requested.
Test dates can be arranged to avoid conflicts
with other events.
Usually, scheduled tests are without regard to
other 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

9. The Differences: Grades
Given for most assigned work.
May not be provided for all assigned work.
Good homework grades may assist in raising
over grade when test grades are lower.
Tests and major papers provide the majority of
the 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, may
not have adverse effect on grade.
First tests are often “wake up” calls to let you
know what is expected.
Graduation requirements may be met with a
grade of D or higher.
Requirements may be met only if the student’s
average meets the departmental standards.
(Hint: Generally a 2.0 or higher.)

10. …Discussion…
What challenges do you expect to face?
What can you can do to overcome them?
Don’t let this be you!

11. Making The Most of College
Making the Most Out of College
Job-Shadowing
Study Abroad
Career Counseling
Part-time on campus jobs
Self Assessments
Get to know your professors
Campus Organizations
Service Projects
Informational Interviews
Volunteering
Athletics
Attending on-campus events
Research Experience
Making new friends
Part-time off campus jobs
Internships
Networking w/ classmates
Taking a variety of courses

12. Acquiring Knowledge about YOU
photography, math, computers,
working with children, history,
writing, fashion, reading,
sports, science, crafts,
nutrition, designing,
talking to people,
working out, art
tutoring others,
working with animals,
handling an emergency
situation, showing compassion to
others, organizing a messy space,
proofreading an essay, winning an
argument, researching information
empathetic, argumentative, type-A,
adventurous, creative, practical,
conservative, open-minded,
resourceful, independent, reflective,
extraverted,
confident, go-getter
perfectionist, shy
variety, power,
time by myself, job
security, helping others
creativity, prestige, adventure,
financial security, associating with
people that I like, autonomy, having a
set routine, challenge, leisure time,

13. Acquiring Knowledge About Careers
What do you want to know?
How can you find out?

14. Acquiring Knowledge About Careers
OOH | www.bls.gov/oco
O*Net | www.onetonline.org

15. 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

16. 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

17. So What’s Next?

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Questions?
Jennifer Stout: jlstout@meredith.edu