See the Forest AND Your "Decision Tree" for Your College and Career

One of the first big decisions you’re going to make on your own is what to do after high school. Like all major life decisions, your choices will have results: it will open the door to new opportunities. But it will also have “consequences”. How can you clearly see both the forest (the possibilities) and the trees (your choices)?

The expression “time is money” is never more true than when it comes to choices about college and work. You’ll have to walk away from other things that you might have enjoyed, and that might have been worthwhile. Going down the wrong path wastes your time, costs you money and shakes your confidence. If you’re not happy in college or work, you can always start over, but it gets increasingly expensive to do so.

The major opportunities and limits in your decision-making are easy to understand. Certain choices will be within your range of possibilities for what you’re willing to do, and what you can afford.

But what makes college and work decisions difficult are all the secondary, related questions about work and college: the tradeoffs that you have to make.

As you think about what exactly you can gain, and what exactly you will give up, to pursue your goal, you must be very specific, and the choices are less clear.

Have you answered all of these questions fully?

 Is it better to work first or go right to college? (How do you define “better”?)

 Should I get a two-year or four-year degree?

 Can I get a two-year degree first, get a better job, and then continue my studies later for a bachelor’s degree? Will a two-year degree get me anything?

 Should I live at home with my parents, get my own place or live on campus?

 (What does “should” mean to you?)

 Which of the colleges that I know about are the best ones? What other colleges should I consider? How can I know what college is best for me?

 (What does “best” mean to you?)

 Should I consider transferring from one college to another?

 How can I pick a major? How can I compare the major at one college and another?

 Can I handle the demands of my college studies at this school? Am I ready for college-level work? What if I do ok at first, and then it gets too tough when I’m a junior or senior? What kind of help can I get with my studies?

As you can see, these questions often lead to more questions. The answers turn out to be something like: “It depends”. And that can be frustrating and discouraging. Reflection can be lonely.

Whether you’re headed for a job or to college, an academic and career coach can help you take the fastest path toward work you love and the lifestyle you desire, to recognize your progress, stay encouraged. If you’re highly motivated, you can create a decision process for yourself, too. Either way, as you proceed through this exciting passage in life, remember:

1. Good answers to the right questions will come to you when you take the quality time needed to explore them fully, do some research, and then reflect.

2. Making effective decisions will build your confidence and motivation.

3. Research shows that confidence leads to success in school and work.

Finding your future happiness is worth the effort. YOU”RE worth the effort.

Good answers to the right questions are really what will get you to your life’s goals most quickly. Contact me for coaching help with answering the right questions.