School-to-Career Blog 052207

The views expressed here are Chris' and are not necessarily the same as the Wake County Public School System.

Now, the Real Test: College Grads Turn to Tests, Life Coaches For Help in Deciding What Comes Next. - Washington Post

Article Highlights

	College graduation day. Finals safely behind you. Time to take the first steps of the rest of your life. But first, how about one more test or counseling session, to tell you where to direct those steps?
	Instead of rushing off to grad school or into the workforce, students graduating from college this spring are increasingly turning to personality tests and life coaches, say some career counselors, to match them with jobs that promise not just earning potential but a compatible lifestyle and a shot at happiness.
	This is a generation so focused on achieving, they say, that the graduates haven't stopped much to dwell on who they are or what they want.

Chris' thoughts -

College graduates without a clue as to what job they want, or where to start looking? Am I missing something here? Isn't the purpose of a college education to educate you for a specific, or a handful of specific jobs?

Call me crazy, but I believe the time to start thinking about a career is before you invest time and money in an education that might be leading you in the wrong direction.

My philosophy, and someday everyone's philosophy, is that one should choose a career before pursuing a postsecondary education. What if you pick the wrong education pathway for the career you really want, but don't know that you want it until after you graduate from college and seek a career coach?.

Seriously, change your major all you want in high school. Talk to as many employers as you can and try to determine the best career for you. When you have narrowed down your career choices, ask the employers for educational advice. The employers know what postsecondary education they prefer in their new recruits, so why not listen to them?

Too many people are entering college without a clue as to which career field they wish to pursue. The only people benefiting from this are the colleges who will gladly rent classroom seats without regard as to whether you are on a career track or not.

Well, at least that's what I'm thinking!

Chris Droessler

Chris writes for the following Blogs:

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