About the Authors ix
Acknowledgments xi
Part I Who Are You?
Chapter 1 How Do You Get Started? 3
How do you have the crucial conversations? How do the choices of career and college fit together?How do the courses you take in high school affect the options you have in life?
Chapter 2 What Are Your Interests and Strengths? 13
Who are you? What do you like to do? What do you care about? What do you do well? How do others see your strengths?
Chapter 3 What Does Work Mean to You? 25
How do you balance money and meaning? What kind of work would you find fulfilling? What kind of life do you envision for yourself?
Part II Where Are You Heading?
Chapter 4 Are You Ready for a Career in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math? 37
Are you taking the right courses? Are you realistic about the requirements? Are you open to different career pathways (engineering, medicine, agriculture, business, information technology)? What special challenges and opportunities may be faced by women and minorities in STEM careers?
Chapter 5 Can You Have a Good Career with a Degree in the Liberal Arts? 49
Liberal arts can help to develop many critical career skills and can be a springboard for many different careers. What are the challenges and opportunities of finding a place to start your career with a liberal arts degree?
Chapter 6 Can You Have a Career Helping Others without Sacrificing Your Own Needs? 61
What are the rewards and realities of human services careers (medicine, social work, psychology, teaching)?
Chapter 7 Do You Want to Work in Business or Be in Business? 73
What are the primary business pathways (e.g.,management, finance, information technology, hospitality)? How does entrepreneurship work and feel in practice? Do you need a college education to pursue a career in business?
Chapter 8 Can You Make a Living as an Artist or Musician? 85
The odds of success in art, music, and other creative pursuits can be daunting, but how can you reframe assumptions about these careers to build a practical path?
Part III How Will You Get to Where You Want to Go?
Chapter 9 Should You Consider a Career in Law or Criminal Justice? 97
There are many different paths to a successful career in law and criminal justice. What are some of the options?
Chapter 10 How Can You Try On Your Career Interests? 113
Do you know why it’s good to “try before you buy” when it comes to careers? How can you conduct career “experiments”?
Chapter 11 Is College Right for You? 127
What are the types of colleges, and where do you fit? How can you overcome your fears? Do you want to go straight to work? How can you hold on to your long-term goals if you need to go straight to work? Is vocational education worth it? What about military careers?
Chapter 12 Can You Afford College? 141
Do you know the difference between the list price and the real price of college? How do you decide if a college is worth the cost? Will getting a degree pay off in the long run?
Chapter 13 Does It Matter Where You Go to College? 153
How do you find the best fit for you? How do you build a smart list of colleges for your applications? How do you make the most of college no matter where you go?
Chapter 14 Is Community College a Better Place to Start? 167
What is a 2+2 program, and what are the advantages? What are the upsides and downsides of starting in community college?
Chapter 15 Closing Thoughts 179
Additional Resources 181
Notes 185
Index 189
