Steps to Success

1. Steps to Success A Road Map to College and Career Readiness

2. Steps to Success Module 3: Is College For Me?

3. 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

4. Steps to Success Questions to ask yourself….

5. Does my career require a bachelor’s 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?

6. 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.

7. Steps to Success • 4 year College Education • Community College • Trade / Technical School • Military • Workforce

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

9. 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.

10. Steps to Success Limitations • Cost • Debt • Commitment /Drop Outs

11. 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!

12. Steps to Success

13. Steps to Success COMMUNITY COLLEGE • Significantly less expensive • Open admissions • Convenient • Experience and preparation • Associate Degrees and Certifications

14. Steps to Success Limitations • Limited Curriculum and Rigor • Not all credits transfer • Fewer scholarships available • Fewer athletics and organizations

15. Steps to Success Sinclair Community College Edison Community College Clark State Cincinnati State

16. Steps to Success Bottom Line • A community college is a good option • if you’re not sure you’re 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

17. Steps to Success

18. 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

19. Steps to Success Limitations • Breadth and depth of education • Transferability • Scope of employment • Salary ranges

20. 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

21. 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.

22. Steps to Success

23. 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 you’re in the military and receive tuition assistance • Discounts on mortgages

24. 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

25. Steps to Success

26. Steps to Success WORKFORCE • Options exist immediately upon graduation • Most options are entry level jobs • Begin earning money immediately and avoid educational debt

27. 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 today’s economy, there is greater competition for jobs

28. Steps to Success Civil servants (police, firefighters, mail carrier, etc) Cashiers Retail Janitors / Housekeeping Sanitation Services/Waste Management Vehicle/Delivery drivers Clerks Administrative Assistants Food service Cable TV/Internet Installers Construction

29. Steps to Success Which path will you take?

30. Does my career require a bachelor’s 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?

31. Steps to Success