The economy has caused states to cut back and one place that has been particularly hard hit is the budget for college tuition.  Parents and students are being asked to pay more at a time when they themselves are experiencing a financial squeeze.  In times past students would go directly from high school to college. Typically a student would wait up to two years before declaring their major. But with the cost of University education at a record high, it is more important than ever to weigh your options.  It may be that Technical school, beauty college, or Junior college would be a better fit for you or your child than a four year university.

Finding out what you want to BE when you grow up is a question most of us were asked since age 5. A better question is; what do you want to DO? Tailoring your education with the emphasis on the ability to perform specific work may also help determine your school choices. Students in Europe and around the world have been making this decision earlier in life than American children for years.  It is not uncommon for a child outside the US, to determine his profession as early as junior high. However, the profession you choose can affect your life in so dramatically that it is understandable why many US students and parents are hesitant to commit. 

Internships and part time jobs can be a valuable tool in discovering your or your child’s passion.  A part time job allows a student to “try on” a job in the real world. Before you have invested thousands in education for a specific field, it is a smart move to find out as much as you can. When my son thought he wanted to go to Culinary School, he took a summer job working in a restaurant kitchen. After his summer there he discovered that while he loved cooking, he did not like working in that environment. A summer spent working not only gave him extra cash, it saved him thousands in wasted student loans.