Parents

• Many high school students typically enter college or the work force without a clear picture of what they want to do with their lives.
• Today, over 30% of college students take five or more years to get their degree. College students on average change their major two to three times. As many as 40% of college freshmen do not have a major. Career indecision can be very costly. According to the College Board's "Trends in College Pricing 2006" report, tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose 6.3% and at private four-year colleges 5.9%. Are students and parents prepared for the additional time and cost of an extra year of college?
• College graduates will earn about $1,000,000 more than a high school graduate during the course of their career according to the Census Bureau Statistics.
• What will happen if your son or daughter doesn't plan out his or her college career? They may end up majoring in a field which looks interesting, get a degree, and get their first job. After working in this career, he or she may find that it isn't what they thought it would be and realize it's not what they want to do for the rest of their life. People who find themselves in this situation tend to feel trapped because they think it's too late to go back to school and get another degree or get additional training for their desired career field.
• A 2005 Gallup poll showed that 41% of college graduates loved their jobs compared with 31% of those with only some college education and 21% of those with no college education. Similarly, 39% of workers living in households making at least $50,000 say they love their jobs, compared with 22% of those living in lower income households.
• According to the Conference Board, employees are increasingly unhappy at work. Only 50% of people are satisfied with their jobs today.
• Working adults change careers three or four times in a lifetime and work six to eight jobs within a career family. This can be attributed to many factors including a poor career match, company downsizing, and jobs becoming obsolete. If this were to happen, professionals need a plan in place.

Parents typically send their children to college or into the workforce hoping that they will discern what they want to be when they grow up. Teens and young adults need a road map to get there. They need to know who they are, their strengths and weaknesses, and their interests and skills. They need to be able to see how all of these things relate and fit into the world of work so that they will be able to select a college major or a vocation.

• Take the online career tests to see how their interests, abilities, personality, and values match several career fields.
• Research the careers which seem appealing and interesting. Narrow his or her search and compile a list of the "Top Ten" careers.
• Research each career using resources on the Internet. Clarify which careers match his or her personality, interests, goals, and the lifestyle he or she wishes to lead.
• Interview people in each career and gather specific information on the industry, the position, and the potential for growth.
• Select his or her college major or vocation based upon the findings. Find what you love to do and go for it! Remember, not all careers offer excellent pay in the beginning. So, do what you love and the money will follow!