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Planning for college and career? Sophomore Guide to College and Career inspires high school students to dream, conduct a self-analysis, learn critical thinking skills, manage resources, match abilities and interests to career fields, understand the global landscape, rebound from setbacks and prepare for the real world of work. This title will help students plan for their college education, including financial aid, choosing the right college and career planning.Click here to learn more about this book and to see a table of contents, sample chapter and curriculum.
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77
matching interests to future colleges and careersPLANNING FOR SUCCESS
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
WWhat comes to mind when you envision yourfuture career? Do you see crisp business suits,the shores of an exotic island, or feel the brightlights of the stage? Is the canvas blank—wait-ing to be painted? You may think the future is
so far off that you don’t need to start planning for it now, but it’snever too early for exploration. Tomorrow needs today!
It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to be when yougrow up or have a clear vision of your future, because figuringout what you want to do is a process.
Process: n. a series of actions directed toward a particular aim
The sooner you begin the journey of figuring out who you areand who you want to be, the more rewarding and less stressfulyour life will become. The more you plan now, the more you’llthank yourself later.
honoring your talents
I t’s important that you honor your gifts and talents by takingthem seriously. When you’re talented at something, it’s easy toassume anybody can do it—that it’s no big deal. But that’s not
true. Skills or abilities you have and take for granted may actual-ly be a important clues to finding your dream job. Your life is fullof opportunity; the passions and talents you have now can beapplied to careers in the future. Anything you like to do can bebuilt on as a future career.
Honor: tr. v. to regard or treat with esteem or respect.
For example, let’s say you like to eat. You can build on this enjoy-ment by becoming a professional chef, a food taster, or a restaurantreviewer. Whoever said jobs should be boring? All those careers fallbroadly on the spectrum of life pursuits. Seeking true happinessmeans embracing your gifts and talents and beginning to see thepossibilities of where they could lead.
78 CHAPTER 4
matchmaker
W hen you buy an outfit for a special occasion, say a home-coming dance, you automatically try to coordinate eachpiece so everything matches. You don’t need to see many
televised episodes or magazine photos of “What Not to Wear” torealize that coordinating your wardrobe does make a differencein your overall appearance.
For a guy, this might mean making sure his tie and socks arein sync. A girl might work at coordinating her jewelry, make-upand nail color.
Matching your gifts and talents to colleges and careers is sim-ilar to coordinating a terrific outfit. It doesn’t happen by accident.Careful planning is involved to match your personality and inter-ests to academic majors and careers. Consider the following storyabout Emily.
From an early age, Emily knew she was different from mostgirls. While her friends spent hours playing with dolls and dressingup in their mothers’ high heels, all Emily wanted to do was watchand play sports. During football and basketball seasons, she rarelymissed any of her favorite teams play, learning the rules of thegames and always eager to commentate on them.
As a freshman in high school, Emily earned the position ofkicker for her high school’s JV football team and played guard onthe girls’ basketball team. As her teammates contin-ued to grow taller and stronger throughout highschool, Emily stayed small, unable to keep up withthe physical demands of her peers. During her senioryear, she seriously contemplated the possibilitiesof her future. She wanted to pursue a sports-related profession, but knew she would havea difficult time making it in the pros. She spenttime researching sports-related careers, ultimatelydeciding to pursue a degree in sports broadcasting.Reporting from the sidelines and interviewing herfavorite players seemed like a wonderful future toEmily!
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 79
The first step to figuring out your strengths now is to noticewhat you love to do, your personal preferences, and the kinds ofenvironments that inspire you. Knowing these things can helpshape your future in the best possible way. Some people are mis-matched in college majors and jobs that really don’t suit whothey are. Learning more about who you are today will help youfigure out where you want to be tomorrow.
Conversely, knowing what you don’t like to do and beingclear and realistic about your shortcomings is also helpful. As youlearn more about yourself, you’ll discover the information youneed to pursue your dreams and goals. It will then become easierto match your interests to different careers. See the appendix inthe back of this book for a list of resources for assessing careerinterests.
exploring ideas for your future career
Review the following list of careers. Circle five that appeal to you.Ask yourself why they look interesting to you. Out of the five youselect, pick two and conduct research on each. Find out anythingand everything about them: basic job description, the kinds ofdegrees most often associated with the professions, where geo-graphically the jobs are highly concentrated, what the pay level isfor entry level employees, etc. Next, come up with as many rea-sons as you can for why you think you would be good at andenjoy these professions.
80 CHAPTER 4
1. Actor
2. Administrative Assistant/Secretary
3. Advertising, Marketing, and PublicRelations Manager
4. Aerospace Engineer
5. Agricultural and Food Scientist
6. Aircraft Pilot
7. Announcer
8. Anthropologist and Archaeologist
9. Architect
10. Athlete
11. Automotive Technician
12. Barbers and Cosmetologist
13. Camera Operator and Editor
14. Carpenter
15. Chef
16. Chemical Engineer
17. Chemist and Materials Scientist
18. Community Organizer and Activist
19. Composer
20. Computer Programmer
21. Conservation Scientist
22. Curator
23. Dentist
24. Desktop Publisher
25. Detective
26. Editor
27. Electrician
28. Elementary, Middle, and HighSchool Teacher
29. Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic
30. Fashion Designer
31. Federal Agent
32. Financial Advisor
33. Firefighter
34. Flight Attendant
35. Foreign Service Officer
36. Funeral Director
37. Geographer
38. Historian
39. Interior Designer
40. Interpreter
41. Judge
42. Landscape Architect
43. Librarian
44. Massage Therapist
45. Mathematician
46. Medical Scientist
47. Meteorologist
48. Multimedia Artists and Animator
49. Musician and Singer
50. Paralegal
51. Park Ranger
52. Pediatrician
53. Personal Financial Advisor
54. Pharmacist
55. Photographer
56. Police Officer
57. Private-Practice Lawyer
58. Psychiatrist
59. Railroad Conductor
60. Real Estate Broker and SalesAgent
61. Registered Nurse
62. Ship Captain and Marine Pilot
63. Special Education Teacher
64. Sports Coach and Scout
65. Stockbroker
66. Surgeon
67. Telecommunication and RadioTechnician
68. Translator
69. Travel Agent
70. Urban and Regional Planner
71. Veterinarian
72. Web Designer
73. Welder
74. Wildlife Technician
75. Writer
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 81
Source: www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/
82 CHAPTER 4
Keep in mind, there are thousands of jobs out there. This list of75 possible careers is to jump start your thinking. This mind mapshows how different areas of study can apply to the same job.
AEROSPACE ENGINEERS
Aerospace Engineering
Physics
Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
ADVERTISING, MARKETING,AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Business Administration
Advertising
Marketing
Psychology
Public Relations
Mass Communications
ARCHITECTS
Architectural Engineering
Architecture
City, Community, and Regional Planning
Civil Engineering
Construction Technology
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
BARBERS AND COSMETOLOGISTS
Cosmetology
Entrepreneurial Studies
Fashion Design
Massage Therapy
Fashion Merchandising
CARPENTERS
Carpentry
Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Electrician
Construction Technology
CHEFS
Culinary Arts
Food Science
Nutrition Sciences
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
Restaurant and Culinary Management
COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS
Computer Programming
Computer Science
Computer Software Engineering
Mathematics
Information Science
Informational Technology
DESKTOP PUBLISHERS
Communication and Rhetoric
Graphic Design
Web Development
Printing Management
FIREFIGHTERS
Emergency Medical Technology
Fire Protection and Safety Technology
Fire Science
Police Science
Public Administration
FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS
Global Studies
International Business
International Relations
Prelaw Studies
Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies
Political Science and Government
HISTORIANS
America Studies
Archaeology
Classics
European History
History
Political Science and Government
U. S. History
Women’s Studies
exhibit 4.1Areas of study and their applications.
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 83
JUDGES
Anthropology
Economics
English
History
Philosophy
Political Science and Government
LIBRARIANS
Art History, Criticism,and Conservation
Database Management
Education
Information Science
Library Science
Library Technology
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Athletic Training
Exercise Science
Massage Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Physical Therapy
MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND PARAMEDICS
Emergency Medical Technology
Nursing (RN)
Practical Nursing
Premedicine
Surgical Technology
METEOROLOGISTS
AstronomyBroadcast JournalismEnvironmental ScienceGeologyAtmospheric Sciences and MeteorologyPhysics
PHARMACISTS
BiochemistryBiomedical EngineeringBiotechnologyMolecular BiologyNeurosciencePrepharmacy
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Art History, Criticism,and ConservationArt Teacher EducationFilm ProductionJournalismPhotographyStudio Arts
POLICE OFFICERS
CorrectionsCriminal JusticeForensic ScienceSociologyLaw Enforcement AdministrationPolice Science
PSYCHIATRIXSTS
Biology, GeneralChemistryNeuroscienceNursing (RN)PremedicinePsychologySocial Work
STOCKBROKERS
Business Administration and Management
Economics
Finance
Marketing
Applied Mathematics
Statistics
TEACHERS
Education
Elementary School Teaching
High School Teaching
Middle School Teaching
Psychology
Special Education
TRANSLATORS
Comparative Literature
Creative Writing
Foreign Language TeacherEducation
Linguistics
Technical and Business Writing
URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNERS
Architecture
Environmental Studies
Urban Studies
Landscape Architecture
City, Community, and Regional Planning
WEB DESIGNERS
Computer Graphics
Computer Programming
Design and Visual Communications
Studio Arts
Graphic Designs
Web Development
being proactive
P lanning for the future doesn’t mean putting fun on hold. Thepossibilities are limitless for enjoying today while planningahead. Being proactive about college planning translates into
a meaningful career later. To make the process of preparing forlife after high school a little less daunting, create a set of guide-lines for your future. You can break down your dreams intospecific goals and actions you can take. Outlined below are a fewways you can learn more about yourself and what you like to do.
Proactive, v. acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, orhanges.
jobs and volunteer experiences
A lthough any type of community service or job will teach yousomething valuable about yourself, seek jobs and volunteeropportunities that will build on your interests and allow you
to explore and expand on them. Live life consciously. Don’t picka random summer job or organization to partici-pate in just because your friends are doing it.
Choose valuable experiences that presentyou with new opportunities for learningand growth. Conscious living means beingaware of all that’s possible for you insteadof mindlessly cruising through life just let-ting things happen.
For instance, you could take a job as acamp counselor over the summer workingwith younger kids. Not only will you get tobe outdoors, you will get to be a mentor toothers, show them what you love, and learnto work as a team and with kids, all at thesame time. Through your experience, youwill learn more about nature and discoverwhether you really love teaching, or work-
84 CHAPTER 4
ing with children. One of the best ways to learn something is byteaching it to someone else.
The U.S. Department of Labor website at www.bls.gov offerstips for finding jobs that relate to your personal interests andhyperlinks to other helpful resources. Spend time exploring, tak-ing notes and reading about jobs that captivate your heart andyour interests.
training and certification programs
T raining and certification programs are another way to deep-en your expertise and develop your skills. If taking care ofpeople is your passion, classes are available to you to receive
training in CPR and First Aid certification. Perhaps you enjoyhanging out by the pool and are a good swimmer. You canbecome certified to be a lifeguard. See the sample list of trainingprograms in the Appendix of this book.
There are many resources available locally to you, some ofwhich your school counselors can give you. You can join profes-sional organizations for practically anything from photographyto dirt bike racing. All you need to do is talk to people in yourcommunity or research programs online. Take the initiative to dosomething that will allow you to grow and learn.
Initiative, n. an introductory step; energy or aptitude displayed by action.
hobbies
H obbies are great ways to explore your interests and havefun. Working at a place relevant to your hobby allows youto spend time in an atmosphere you enjoy with other peo-
ple who share the same or similar interests. For example, if youenjoy sports and physical fitness, then consider working at arecreation center or health food store. Another idea is to sellwhat you make and use the proceeds to help fund a cause inyour community.
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 85
Hobby, n. a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged inespecially for relaxation.
In the last chapter, we discussed entrepreneurship. Manypeople have turned their hobbies into viable careers. Figuring outthe career potential of your hobby will require some creativethinking. The following activity can help you get started.
Source: Adapted from www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2001/Fall/art01.pdf
linking your hobby to a career
Answer the following questions about your selected hobby.
1. Is it possible to sell whatever it is that you make or do?
2. Can you teach others how to do your hobby, and would theybe willing to pay for the instruction?
3. Can you find a job repairing equipment that relates to yourhobby?
4. Do you know people who share your interest that you dis-cuss your hobby with?
campus communities
C reating communities within your school through clubs andextracurricular activities is another constructive way to planahead and have fun while you’re doing it. Your school’s coun-
seling office already has a list of clubs available for you to join. Ifwhat’s offered at your school doesn’t interest you, you could starta club of your own. Being an active participant in your school’sactivities, or helping to create a new club, is an excellent way tolearn more about what interests you and how to collaborate withother people. Activities like knitting, Tai Chi, African drumming,or hip-hop can be both fun and educational. Also, extracurricularactivities look good on any future applications you fill out.
86 CHAPTER 4
Collaborate, intransitive v: to work jointly with others or togetherespecially in an intellectual endeavor
Your high school is a great place to broaden your experiencebase and explore things you might love. Following is a list of clubsand extracurricular activities found on high school campusesacross the country—some obvious and some not so obvious.Choose at least three that may interest you (or you are already amember of).
SAMPLING OF COMMON CLUBS & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
4H School Newspaper
Art ROTC
Athletics Theatre
Book Delta Epsilon Chi Association (DECA)
Chess National Honor Society
Debate Team Junior Achievement
French Rotary International
Key Club Science
Knitting Student government
Media Technology
Music Yearbook
SAMPLING OF LESS COMMON CLUBS & EXTRACURRICULARS
Anime Fencing
Caribbean Kendo
Crossword Puzzles Laughing/Humor Club
Culinary Sudoku
Current Events Students for Human Rights
Dance Revolution Step Team
Foreign Film Study Abroad
Hip Hop
The following mind map shows different interests you mighthave and the subject areas in school that match them.
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 87
88 CHAPTER 4
exhibit 4.2Matching interests to subject areas.
Instrumental
Popular
Singing
Collecting
Driving
Fixing
www.fakeaddress.com
Making
Watching
Acting
Directing
Technical
Theatre Club
Scriptwriting
www.fakeaddress.com
Activities
Animals
Preservation
www.fakeaddress.comwww.fakeaddress.com
As Art
Creating
Photography Club
Classes
Non-team Sports
School Teams
Team Sports
www.fakeaddress.comwww.fakeaddress.com
Earth Science
Physics
Robotics
www.fakeaddress.com
Architecture
Carpentry
Metalworking
www.fakeaddress.com
Cooking
Eating
www.fakeaddress.com
Book Club
Reading
Writing
Newspaper
interests
ENGLISH LEADERSHIP
CARS SCIENCE
FILMMUSIC
SPORTSTHEATRE
FOODPHOTOGRAPHY
Critiquing
Design
Modeling
FASHION
NATUREBUILDING
COMPUTERS MATH
Governmentwww.fakeaddress.com
Helping Otherswww.fakeaddress.com
Gaming
The Internet
Programming
www.fakeaddress.com
Chess Club
Games
Problem Solving
www.fakeaddress.com
college majors
A college major is a program made up of classes that will allowyou to explore and focus on a certain field of academicstudy. As a college freshman, it is important not to panic or
jump into an area of study that doesn’t interest you. You usuallyhave until the end of your sophomore year in college to declare amajor. For instance, if your passion is communication, you canchoose this as a major and take classes such as public speaking,interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, groupcommunication or debate.
Be open-minded and employ yourcuriosity as a guide while exploring careeroptions. Our society loves choice, so thereare plenty of options for you to pick from.If you can’t narrow your major down toone choice, you can always claim dual oreven triple major(s) or minor(s). Some col-leges offer a first-year exploratory programfor freshman students who are undecidedand hesitant to declare their major. Theexploratory program is a unique experi-ence that provides close academic advisingand a liberal education that nurtures abroad perspective of a variety of career options. Remember, yourcollege major will probably only determine where you work foryour first job. Selecting a college major does not forever carveyour career in stone. Most careers do not require you to have onespecific degree. You can major in any number of different areasfor a given career field. Many people change jobs multiple timesthroughout their life, and the skills they develop throughout theirunique journey gives them the ability to be flexible and morphthose skills into a completely new career path.
The following action steps can help you pick a major:
1. Evaluation of your interests
2. Assessment of your personal abilities
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 89
3. What you value in the work you do/specific job environmentpreferences
4. Career exploration (match skills/interests with job duties)
5. Determining which majors will lead to your desired career.
college requirements
E very college has different requirements, and knowing whatthe school requires is essential to getting into your college ofchoice. For example, even though your high school may only
require two years of foreign languages, some colleges won’t eventconsider an applicant without four years of foreign languages.While you’re in high school, take electives that match what youthink you’ll want to major in.
Colleges also specialize in training students for particularcareer fields. For example, if you really want to go into architec-ture, you’ll want to find a school that has a reputation forproviding a great architect program. Not every school does.Attending college fairs is a great way to compare colleges andexplore your perfect college fit. Your school guid-ance counselor will know dates and locations whena college fair is being held in your area. Collegerecruiters and admissions counselors are availableat these events to talk with you about your inter-ests. You can also pick up college literature to takehome and show your parents. And it’s all FREE!
knowing your needs
J ust as no two students are exactly alike (noteven identical twins), so are no two colleges.There are educational programs specially suit-
ed for students with special needs or disabilities.Sometimes you have to be your own advocate.Here’s an example of how one student did just that.
90 CHAPTER 4
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 91
being a self-advocate
Luke Kirsten is a high school student with Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder (ADHD). After being assessed by the Eaton CoullLearning & Publishing Group, Luke greatly increased his self-knowledge. He was able to better understand his strengths andweaknesses and learned to understand his learning and specialneeds.
“My advice to teachers of students with learning differences is to tryto learn what you can about their problems so you can understandthem better.”
Journal entry, February 2005
Luke was having a hard time in school. “If I try to just listento the teacher without doing anything else at the same time, mymind darts off onto everything else that is going on inside (or evenoutside) the classroom.” Through an advocacy training program,Luke discovered that he learned best while doingsomething physical and practical, rather thanjust sitting and listening. Luke learned that healso liked being a teacher. “When my SkillsClass turned into a sort of math/scienceremediation program in Grade 9, I foundmyself getting pretty bored because I actu-ally understood those subjects pretty well.”
Luke took the initiative to help other kidsin the class who were not having such an easytime. Luke’s teacher noticed how helpful he was inthe classroom and suggested he become a peer tutor in the future.Luke also enjoyed helping out in a Saturday morning class foryounger kids with ADHD. “I suggested lots of fun activities. Ithink they really enjoyed my high energy level, as well as seeing theliving proof that you can survive, and even thrive, having ADHD.”
Through self-advocacy, Luke learned to reframe his disabili-ty and make a positive plan for the future. He has appeared at
Luke with his 6 year-old brother, Th
eo
various conferences and seminars to share his experiences of liv-ing with a learning difference.
Source: http://www.eclg.com/community_kirsten.php
If you’re struggling in an area, whether academic or social/emo-tional, seek help. There are many people and programs eager tohelp students achieve their best in school and in life. Please referto our resource list in the Appendix section of this book aboutcollege programs for students with learning disabilities or atten-tion deficit disorders.
When it comes time to picking a college to attend, you’llwant to investigate schools that offer services to meet yourunique needs and interests. The next book in the LifeBoundseries, Junior Guide to Senior Success, discusses the college selec-tion process and how to pick the best college for you.
funding—paying for college
A s you determine what college youwish to attend, another importantquestion to ask yourself is: “What
is it going to cost, and how will I pay forit?” You should fill out your financialaid forms BEFORE you are accepted toa school. You can list multiple schoolson your FAFSA form. Colleges may notbe able to offer to give you a sufficientamount to pay for your educationbecause they only have what the gov-ernment has given them to distributeamong thousands of other students.
Discuss your finances with your parents or guardian, and ifneed be, decide if you are willing to take out loans to coverexpenses or if you should consider attending a more affordableschool.
92 CHAPTER 4
Following is a list of resource options that will make payingfor your education a little easier:
■ Grants: Are offered by most colleges based on financial needand fund availability and don’t need to be paid back.
■ Loans: This money needs to be paid back. Conditions arespecific to whatever bank or government agency you borrowfrom. Loans also come with interest-rates that vary greatlyand over time, add to the amount you owe your creditor(this expense is similar to credit card interest fees).
■ Scholarships: These awards vary greatly, depending upon avariety of specifications but they are usually based on youracademic accomplishments or activities that you have partici-pated in. Scholarships are available everywhere but it’s yourresponsibility to find them, use resources such as your guid-ance counselor, the Internet, and local organizations.
■ Federal-work study: Work-study is a federally funded edu-cational aid program that provides money for students topay for educational expenses that are not covered by otherresources such as scholarships and grants. A work-studyjob allows you to work while you are enrolled in collegeand attending classes. The convenience of having a work-study job is working on-campus or with organizations nearyour campus.
■ Internships: Internships are a great way to gain a realisticview of the career you’re thinking about entering. Mostinternship positions are unpaid, but interns receive valuablejob experience, as they expand your social network with pro-fessionals in your field of interest. Internships are a greatsource for finding mentors who can offer plenty of valuableand honest insight about their jobs. Internships are also agreat way to earn academic credit for college. Check withyour college’s internship program office to see how manycredit hours you can earn and how much they will cost.Internships are designed to offer a professional learning
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 93
experience, and therefore you may not be paid, but they usu-ally offer a flexible work schedule.
share the journey
T here are amazing stories people can tell you about where theycame from and how they got from high school to where theyare today. Ask your parents, teachers, coaches and neighbors
about their experiences. If they went to college, ask them abouttheir experiences in high school when they were your age prepar-ing for the future. You can learn from things that went well forthem, as well as the things they wish they’d done differently
If they didn’t go to college or if they took some time off, askthem why they made the choices they did, and if they wouldchange anything about their choices if they could.
Comparing and contrasting your experience to others’ is anexcellent way to feel less pressured when thinking about thefuture. Sift through the advice and insight your role models, orothers in your life, have to offer. Even if you don’t find someoneyou can relate to, be a courteous and an active listener. Don’t crit-icize people for their choices; they were vulnerable enough toshare their lives with you. Stay open, learn and absorb withoutpassing judgment. The following poem describes the value ofsharing our stories.
“What’s Your Story?”
Every life and every heart reveals a story,if we only take time to listen;almost every smile hides a tear,but somehow, the clues we keep on missing.When you look into someone’s eyes,try not to be fooled by what you see;instead, search for that seed in their soul,that uncovers the root of their journey.
See, what you may be surprised to find,is that their hurt may heal your wounds;
94 CHAPTER 4
their suffering may soften your pain,and their tragedy may even open your tomb.Just when you thought no one could understand,here they stand traveling a similar path;just when you felt too embarrassed to breathe again,you found someone who could hold you and laugh.
Life was never meant to be easy,but whoever said it was meant to be endured alone;if we could only master the art of storytelling,we’d never have to search too long for a home.Because empathetic hearts would be our sanctuary,open ears would be our refuge;other people’s tears would be our medicine,and our fears wouldn’t appear so huge.
So go ahead, ask me, What’s my story?and I promise I’ll tell you no lie;in fact, I can’t wait to tell you the whole truth,because my soul is slowly starting to die.And after I soothe my spirit by telling you my story,I promise I’ll listen to yours;and maybe we can comfort each other,so neither one of us will have to suffer alone any more.
by Joe A. Martin, Jr.Copyright © 2003
what if you’re afraid?
D on’t let yourself be intimidated by new experiences. If youdon’t like something, try something else. Following is a storyabout a young man who changed his life path after reaching
college. Keep in mind, you don’t need to wait that long to dis-cover your passion.
Grazi thought he had it all planned out. All his life, he knewhe would take over his father’s Italian restaurant. It had been inhis family for generations, ever since his great-grandparents
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 95
moved to America from Italy. Because Grazi was an only child, itwas expected that he carry on the family business.
When he got to college, he noticed his roommate brought aguitar with him. Intrigued, Grazi asked him if he could try it.“Sure,” his roommate said, shrugging his shoulders. Grazi hadnever played a musical instrument before, but he liked pluckingat the strings of the guitar. His roommate offered to give himsome lessons, and before he knew it, Grazi joined a band formedby some of the students in his dorm. He had a natural talent formusic and felt electrified whenever he played. The grades in his
business classes began to drop, as Grazi took littleinterest in them. He wanted to switch his major tomusic performance. His family was angered bythis, but after realizing Grazi’s deep passion formusic, they understood that Grazi was ultimate-
ly in charge of his destiny. Grazi doesn’t regrethis decision—he is a now a professional gui-
tarist and lives in Los Angeles.Trusting your instincts and following
your heart is essential when choosing acollege and career path. While it might bedifficult or even appear impossible tostray from the expectations of others, it isimportant for you to live your life in a
way that will make you fulfilled and happy. Being informed is alsoessential to reaching your educational and career goals. That’swhy taking advantage of everything that’s out there—from yourschool’s guidance office to interest assessments to college fairs—can help you find the college and career path that’s best for you.
checking in
Reread the story early in this chapter on Emily, and answer thefollowing questions:
96 CHAPTER 4
What did you learn from Emily’s story?
What do you think would have happened if Emily had suppressedher interest in sports?
Is there an interest or talent you have that you’re neglecting?What can you do to develop or explore it more fully?
matching interests to future coilleges and careers 97