As you plan for your education, you will want to learn as much as
possible about what it takes to gain admission to the college of your choice
and how to create a fi nancial plan to pay for your education. Academic
preparation includes taking the right courses and doing your best. Make
the most of your remaining high school years. If you have always been
a good student, don’t slack off. If you have not been performing to your
potential, you can demonstrate your abilities and commitment by showing
improvement. Doing the very best you can and becoming involved in
organizations at your high school or in your community will provide
greater access to college. Most schools are looking for well-rounded
individuals who participate in a variety of activities.
Critical Thinking
What Career for Alicia?
Alicia, a senior in high school, is a very
talented person, especially in art. She sketches,
uses watercolors, and paints with oils. Many of
her illustrations have been printed in the school
newspaper. Alicia designs and makes her own
clothes. She also designed the costumes for all
the school plays held during the past two years.
Alicia has done well in all her subjects and
every activity she has pursued. That is part of
her problem. She has so many interests and skills
that she does not know which career to choose.
Her current problem is trying to decide what
type of training or educational program to take.
At the suggestion of her guidance
counselor, Alicia wrote down what she hoped
to accomplish over the next fi ve to ten years.
She wrote down these goals:
• to work in the interior design or graphic arts
industry
• to work in a career that offers possibilities
for travel
Alicia began thinking about the career
areas that interested her. She realized that
talking to people in similar careers might
help her make a career decision. Her guidance
counselor recommended several professionals
who were willing to talk to Alicia about their
careers. When it came time to actually phone
them for appointments, however, Alicia always
found other things to do.
After much soul-searching, Alicia believed
that an interior design career suited her best.
She learned that a four-year degree was
required. Fortunately, a university that taught
the program at a campus relatively close
accepted her. She spent one year there before
realizing that interior design was not for her.
She missed painting, sketching, and seeing
her work used in publications. When a local
advertising agency heard of her interest in a
graphic arts career, they offered her a good-
paying job on the spot. She was told about a
visual arts program at the local community
college that offered courses to broaden her
skills. She also learned that the Armed Forces
needed graphic artists and would pay the
education expenses of a person who showed
promise in that area. Now faced with so many
options, Alicia does not know what to do.
1. Did Alicia research her career interests
well?
2. How could Alicia have improved her career
research?
3. What would you advise Alicia to do?
4. What have you learned from Alicia’s
experience that may help you make a career
decision more wisely?
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Case