College and Major Choice

By Denise Felder
Editor of MnCareers
iSeek Solutions

"Going to college" can mean a lot of different things. Today, colleges vary from traditional four-year universities, to two-year colleges and short-term job training programs, to online degree programs. Many people do a combination of these options to complete the training or degree needed to meet their goals.

Participating in any type of college experience is a great way to gain independence, and expand on the skills and education needed for a good career. Also, the majority of high-paying jobs available require some type of formal training beyond high school, so going to college increases earning potential.

Set Education Goals

Some teens have their hearts set on going to a particular school or type of college, but haven't given much thought to what they might major in. Other teens are focused on majoring in a specific subject or the type of job they want, but aren't sure which school has the best program for them. Help your teen to understand that picking the right college depends on individual career and education goals.

Your teen's education goals should include career objectives as well as personal goals.

• What type of degree or certification does your teen hope to achieve?
• What are the degrees or training requirements for the careers your teen is interested in?
• What types of things does your teen want to learn or experience at college?
• In what ways does your teen hope college will affect his life and his future?

It is sometimes difficult for a teen to think too far into the future. Breaking down goals into short-term and long-term goals can make the process easier. What does your teen hope to accomplish in the next two years? How about in the next five years?

Setting concrete goals will help to give motivation and direction when researching college options.

Explore Options

Before committing to a specific college or major, help your teen to explore all options to make an informed decision. As you look through lists of schools, think about what is important to you and ask your teen:

• Do you want to go to school in Minnesota or in another state?
• Do you want to go to school in an urban, small town or rural setting?
• How much can you afford in tuition and other fees?
• What size school is the best fit for you?
• What about class size and student-to-teacher ratios?
• What types of majors and programs of study does each school offer?
• How good are the programs related to your chosen major or field of study?
• Do you plan to take classes at one school then transfer to another? What about continuing on to an advanced degree?
• Do you want to take classes during the day, in the evenings or on weekends?
• Would you be successful taking online classes, or mixing traditional in-person and online/computer courses?
• What type of student body do you want to be a part of (range of ages, cultures)?
• Do you plan to live at home, in a dorm or in off-campus housing?
• Do you want to go to a school that has a lot of extracurricular activities (student groups, athletics, etc.)?

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