Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2014 - (Page 43)

planning ahead for college How many times have you heard the expression "The world is your oyster"? You may have received the message from well-intentioned adults that you have the potential and ability to pursue and excel in any career you choose. Some people may assume that because you have so many options, you don't need guidance with college and career planning. You may have even internalized this assumption and be inclined to impose pressure on yourself to map out the perfect career trajectory before you are ready (starting, of course, with choosing the perfect college and major). But the truth is that many students struggle with choosing their path and need help with this. The college planning and career decision-making processes can be full of confusion and stress, especially for those who have multiple interests and abilities. If you are one of these individuals, it would not be surprising if you feel overwhelmed at times by the vast array of possible college majors and career directions. And while this may be regarded as a "good problem" to have (certainly having more options is preferable to having few options), career indecision can become a hindrance if it persists too far into adulthood. If you are grappling with uncertainty, there are a number of things you can do now to start gaining clarity about your path before you embark on your college journey. In addition to taking advanced coursework to prepare for college, you can participate in extracurricular activities to explore your interests and potential career paths. By exposing yourself to varied experiences through involvement in clubs, academic summer programs, academic competitions, internships, or community service projects, you can gain a deeper awareness of your likes and dislikes and a more defined sense of your strengths and relative weaknesses. Experiences such as internships or job shadowing can give you a taste of the real world of work and may help you to realize, for example, that you'd enjoy spending your days in a lab as a research scientist-or, conversely, that you wouldn't. Volunteering in a hospital may help you to determine whether you'd enjoy interacting with patients and hospital staff as well as working in an institutional setting. Suppose that you are contemplating a career in medicine, yet discover through a community service project that you have a passion for advocating for oppressed and marginalized people. This www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine by Michelle Muratori, Ph.D. experience might lead you to combine your interests and aspire to work for a humanitarian organization such as Doctors Without Borders. Other extracurricular activities such as debate, Model U.N., and mock trial can also be invaluable experiences in helping you clarify your path. For instance, adopting the role of an attorney in mock trial may give you a sense of whether you would enjoy the pressure or lifestyle of being a trial attorney. While this experience may turn you off to the idea of pursuing a law career, you might also realize that you'd love the excitement of the courtroom and would feel energized by defending or prosecuting a case. Such an experience might also inspire you to address any skill deficits that you have that could eventually prove to be a barrier in your pursuit of a law career. Even if activities like mock trial aren't directly related to the path you will eventually take, they may expose you to experiences that will be useful to you in a range of careers. For instance, the skills you develop through participation in debate or Model U.N. may serve you well whether you decide to study law, politics, international relations, business, or nonprofit leadership. While these experiences may go a long way toward helping you clarify your goals, you may also benefit from working directly with a guidance or college counselor. He or she can administer career assessments and help you understand how your values, personality, lifestyle preferences, and interests fit into the picture. This professional guidance may help you to further narrow your options and develop a specific plan. If you are still feeling uncertain about your educational and career goals as you approach high school graduation, don't despair! Know that you are in good company, and remember that this is a process. It is likely to take time not only to develop your interests, but to become aware of how your preferences, values, and strengths make certain career choices a better match for you than others. So try to be patient with yourself and view this process as an opportunity to get to know yourself better. And as you start to narrow your options, try to notice not just what you're best at, but what makes you happiest. When you find the combination of challenge and fulfillment that makes you happy, success won't be far behind. THINKSTOCKPHOTO Gaining Clarity about Your Career Path imagine 43 http://www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2014

In My Own Words
Chemistry Is…
Master of Reactions
Fascinated by Photochemistry
What About Labs?
Buckyballs and Nanocrystals
Small Is Big
Chemistry Among the Stars
Making Chemicals Safer, 21st Century Style
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Empowered to Change the World
The Buzz About History
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - March/April 2014