That is why there are exploration resources available for you to use.

1. Apprenticeship- paid training that allows you to learn a skill or set of skills

2. Trade School- 1-2 years of schooling that gives students hands-on experience in their chosen field. You can get a diploma, certificate, or prepare for a licensing exam by the end of trade school.

3. Community College- 2 year programs in which you can get an Associate's degree

4. College or University- 4 year programs in which you can get a Bachelor's degree

Research the job you want here and see which training/schooling is right for you. 

Follow these links and then start by searching for a job title that sounds interesting to you. See what type of education the job requires, the skills, attributes, interests, wages, job outlook, etc. If you see that a job does not fit what you like, look at similar jobs or search for another.

 

Here are also some "Hot Jobs" in Michigan as a whole and in West Michigan. See what training you would need for specific jobs you might be interested in!

 

 

Match & Fit

Match = How your test scores & GPA compare to the admitted students at that school

Fit = Everything else.

 

-  Size (how many students is too big?)

-  Public or Private (cost, size, etc.)

-  Location (urban, suburban, rural)

-  Majors and Programs Offered (do they have what you're interested in?

-  Degree of Flexibility (do you need to take online or night classes?)

-  Types of Degrees Offered (do you need a certificate, associate's or bachelor's degree?)

-  Graduation Rate (how many students that go there actually come out with a degree?)

-  Career Placement (how can they connect you with the career or companies that you are interested in?)

-  Faculty to Student Ratio (how much one on one time can you get with the professor to ask questions?)

-  Cost of Attendance (do they give good scholarships?

-  Support Services (homework help, on-site healthcare, etc.)

-  Campus Life & Activities (do they have the sports, clubs, etc. that you want to be involved in?) 

 

 

At school, your college adviser will arrange for colleges to come. At these rep visits, listen to their presentation and ask questions about their school. A good place to start is to ask about questions about the "fit" criteria above that matter to you. Ask how far away they are located, do they offer a program in ______, etc.

 

Once you've narrowed down your choices, go visit those campuses to see if you feel like you belong there. Either go on the campus visits that the college adviser provides through the school or go visit with your family.

Here are the steps to going on an individual visit:

1. Decide which schools you want to visit. Visiting at least 3 schools is a good starting point.

2. Talk with teachers, parents/guardians, and friends about the visit. Decide on some days and times that work with your schedule.

3. Visit the school website (www.ferris.edu, www.muskegoncc.edu, www.cmich.edu)

4. Find the admissions, future student, or visit page. Read about campus visit programs, events, days, and tours. Some schools require you to register for the event and some schools have specific visit days (Dawg Days, Laker Experience Days).

5. Turn in an "Approved College Visit Form" to the office if you will be gone during the school day. You can get this form in the office or the college adviser.

6. Build a list of questions you wish you ask while on campus.

7. Make sure you know where you're going- have driving directions & the information about who and where to meet once you get there.

 

1. Know which college booths you want to visit

2. Know which information sessions you want to attend

3. Wear something nic 

4. Bring a paper and pen to take notes

5. Prepare a list of questions to ask the college representative

6. Know where to meet your group at the end of the fair