She is starting to think about college and career. Do you recommend any websites or tests she can take that will help her to narrow down her focus somewhat from "I don't know"?
It's a tough one. At 17, most kids don't know what to do after the security of high school. I'd say if she is not too sure: general study, travel or both.
Websites and testing won't do much in finding "herself", which is basically what becoming a young adult is all about. Most kids are in the same boat, just like most of us were back in our days.
What does she like to do, Brad? What is she good at?
Although, you know, 17 is awfully young to be making life defining descisions, but I guess they have to now, don't they?
I just remember that at 17, I sure wanted to do something else than washing dishes for the rest of my life.
Sorry for rambling. No use to you at all, I'm afraid.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones; I'm sure, with your example, they'll all be fine.
Don
> She is starting to think about college and career. Do you recommend any websites or tests she can take that will help her to narrow down her focus somewhat from "I don't know"?
I'd start with her personality type. This test is online and free:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
The idea is that different types tend to be attracted to different fields and roles. It's probably more a way of winnowing out options that are likely not suitable.
If she scores INTJ, my congratulations: you may just have another surveyor in the family.
General college studies until she finds something that looks like a good field.
Take A Visit To Franklin College, Maybe Sign Her Up
Introductory courses
Art Studio Photography
Art Studio Graphic Design
Computer Information Systems
Multi Media Journalism
Spanish or French
Since she has no clue as to a career get her some education that could fit with almost any career or a lifetime hobby.
Maybe it adds an extra year to her final degree, but education is much more than a degree and a job. Being happy at work is OK, being happy after work is even better.
Paul in PA
Air force?
The Air Force is definitely a good choice for somebody just out of High School and have no idea of where they want to go or do.
The Air Force will give a day or so of exams and try to fit the best place for a new member. Of course the needs of the service trump all exams.
Electronics at Keesler AFB Biloxi is probably about the best school for converting to civilian use. Weather is another good one, it used to be in Illinois but I don't have the slightest notion where it is located now.
Now days it is kinda hard to get in the Air Force. I saw a recruiter several weeks ago and asked how things were going. He said he had a three county area in my section of North Carolina. He said the hardest thing was to find a qualified person to enter. I have and idea the hardest part now days is the drug test. A few years ago when Wall Mart opened a Sam's Club here, they interview over 4,000 and could not get 400 qualified employes. They had to move folks in for some of the jobs.
The Air Force is for four years and might require five or six for some of the occupations. There are oodles and oodles of educational off duty schools. Travel isn't as good now as years ago. A lot of Bases have been closed and some of the countries that had USAF bases have been closed also.
Of the services the USAF is definitely the better choice.
Jerry M. Davis
20 year man, 13 active duty 7 in the Air Guard at Lincoln, Nebraska
:good: :good:
I agree, that will give her time to decide what interests her rather than be "guided" into something that interests the "guidance counselor"!
B-)
> Travel isn't as good now as years ago. A lot of Bases have been closed and some of the countries that had USAF bases have been closed also.
If you are looking for travel, the Army is still a good deal. I just got some photos this morning from my little brother in Liberia. Hell, last year it was Afghanistan and Iraq before that.
I will say that he seems to be having more fun in Liberia. It helps that he is the theater commander's executive officer. He is living in the embassy and seems to spend a lot of time traveling from place to place by helicopter. I think his real goal is to find Tarzan.
I agree, the military is a great place to start. You can decide on a career path while seeing the world and earning money to go to college. I am biased toward the Navy though.
All universities and most junior colleges have academic advisors/career counselors. In Louisiana they are actually licensed, don't know about other states. I recommend you check out the advising services of one or more local institutions of higher learning ... maybe even have her go to more than one counselor. I have not been impressed about the quality of advising from some local high schools around here, which is why I suggest what I have done.
Armed Forces are nice, but not for everyone. Personally, I have advised my children to get a degree first then consider the military. One son did, one son did not. The college grad is now a Major in the USMC. The other one got out, found a trade that he trained himself in and is successful with it.
Generally speaking, there's no general rule. Everybody's different.
Professional advice is a LOT better than recruiter's advice. ALWAYS.
Professional advice is better than a Recruiter, it well should be better but I will not say ALWAYS. Professionals are not ALWAYS the best in anything.
Jerry M. Davis
If I could do it over I would join the USAF and be retired at least once if not twice by now, some drawbacks of course, BUT when I was 18 joining the service was along ways off my radar, it would of been a good thing I think. I have worked as a contractor on something like 30 bases since 2003, in many cases my POC is retired military now doing the same job as a civilian and they are my age or younger...
SHG
If she's aiming for college and is interested in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, math), take the standard first year courses: a calculus sequence, and one or more science sequences like physics or biology, depending. Round out with requirements like English, History, or other courses that she interested in learning about or that will work as requirements/electives towards a degree. The other courses could end up being her major is she gets a charismatic enough professor!
If she thinks she might want to spend a semester or year abroad, start or continue language study. Although I majored in Physics and went to a Welsh university where I was able to take the Physics courses I needed (in English).
If there's a community college around, she could try one or two intro courses there in areas she thinks she might be interested in.
I defaulted into Physics--it's the science I liked the best in high school (despised the Biology and Chemistry teachers). I was also interested in Astronomy but a grad student told me that career options were awful so I'd nixed that option!
Melita
