Steps to Success

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Steps to Success
A Road Map to College and Career Readiness
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Steps to Success
Module 3 Is College For Me?
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Steps to Success
A college degree doesn't guarantee success, and
not getting a college degree does not guarantee
failure.
A college degree does not guarantee success, and
not having a college degree does not guarantee
failure
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Steps to Success
Questions to ask yourself.
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Does my career require a bachelors degree?
What career might I like to pursue?
Is college the best pathway to my career?
How will I cover the cost of further education?
What other educational options are available?
Does my family value higher education?
Am I willing to go into debt for my education?
What does my family expect?
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Steps to Success
No matter what you want to do with your life,
additional education or training will most
likely be necessary in order to be successful.
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Steps to Success

• 4 year College Education
• Community College
• Trade / Technical School
• Military
• Workforce

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Steps to Success
4 YEAR COLLEGE EDUCATION (Public or
Private)
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Steps to Success
4 YEAR COLLEGE

• Greater employment opportunities
• Highest potential for lifetime earnings
• Fosters intellectual, social, ethical and civic
  development.
• Improves overall wellbeing by affecting things
  like job satisfaction, health, marriage,
  parenting, trust, and social interaction.

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Steps to Success
Limitations

• Cost
• Debt
• Commitment /Drop Outs

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Steps to Success
Bottom Line
4-yr college is a good choice if you have a
pretty clear idea of what career you want to
pursue, have identified a school that is a good
fit, have a clear plan for how to manage the cost
and/or pay off debt and if you commit to not just
enroll but graduate!
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Steps to Success
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Steps to Success
COMMUNITY COLLEGE

• Significantly less expensive
• Open admissions
• Convenient
• Experience and preparation
• Associate Degrees and Certifications

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Steps to Success
Limitations

• Limited Curriculum and Rigor
• Not all credits transfer
• Fewer scholarships available
• Fewer athletics and organizations

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Steps to Success
Sinclair Community College Edison Community
College Clark State Cincinnati State
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Steps to Success
Bottom Line

• A community college is a good option
• if youre not sure youre ready for a four year
  college program.
• if finances are limited
• if you want training that can get you into the
  workforce in a shorter amount of time

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Steps to Success
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Steps to Success
TRADE VOCATIONAL

• Significantly less expensive
• Shorter time line (2 yrs. or less)
• Finish with a certificate rather than diploma
• Specific training
• Offer training in a variety of professions

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Steps to Success
Limitations

• Breadth and depth of education
• Transferability
• Scope of employment
• Salary ranges

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Steps to Success
Miami Jacobs Career College ITT Technical
Institute School of Medical Massage Kaplan
College Institute of Photography and
Technology Carousel Beauty and Spa
Institute Art Institute of Ohio
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Steps to Success
Bottom Line
A trade school is a place to get a reasonably
priced education that will allow you to enter the
workforce in a minimum amount of time. It is a
great place to start an education and learn
valuable skills, but if you have big career and
financial dreams, you will most likely require
additional education.
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Steps to Success
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Steps to Success
MILITARY

• Military service develops discipline, maturity,
  respect and leadership
• Military service offers a steady paycheck
• Military service can lead to retirement dollars
• You can earn get college degrees while youre in
  the military and receive tuition assistance
• Discounts on mortgages

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Steps to Success
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or GED
• U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years of age
• Clean criminal history
• Pass military entrance exam
• Meet military height, weight and health
  requirements

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Steps to Success
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Steps to Success
WORKFORCE

• Options exist immediately upon graduation
• Most options are entry level jobs
• Begin earning money immediately and avoid
  educational debt

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Steps to Success
WORKFORCE LIMITATIONS

• Direct entry graduates experience frequent job
  transitions
• First jobs can be characterized as low-paying
  temporary
• Limited benefits especially healthcare
• In todays economy, there is greater competition
  for jobs

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Steps to Success
Civil servants (police, firefighters, mail
carrier, etc) Cashiers Retail Janitors /
Housekeeping Sanitation Services/Waste
Management Vehicle/Delivery drivers Clerks Adminis
trative Assistants Food service Cable TV/Internet
Installers Construction
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Steps to Success
Which path will you take?
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Does my career require a bachelors degree?
What career might I like to pursue?
Is college the best pathway to my career?
How will I cover the cost of further education?
What other educational options are available?
Does my family value higher education?
Am I willing to go into debt for my education?
What does my family expect?
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Steps to Success