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High School Hustle: Juggling IBM Co-op, School,Air Force Ambitions, and Church Life
I'm currently a high school IBM co-op, and I have several interests that I hope will shape my future career. I'm really interested in joining the Military National Guard for the Air Force because I want to develop leadership skills and serve my community through service and technical training. At the same time, I work at my Greek Orthodox church's bookstore, where I learn a lot about community values and responsibility. With these diverse experiences, I'm curious about how I can blend my military ambitions with my academic and community commitments. What advice do you have for balancing these pursuits and using them to build a strong future career?
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Donna’s Answer
Jasmine;
It sounds like you have a plan and you are executing that plan. So just keep moving forward and juggling all the things that you love. Life will throw a curve ball now and again. Stay focused and refine your goals as need be.
As you progress, you may have to compromise of some schedules to accommodate others, but as you have already established a commitment and work ethic with the church and book store, I am sure they will be flexible with you. If not, then it just means it is time for you to refocus and step into the next phase of adult life.
The military will give you opportunity to lead and start building the tools which will take you into further growth with IBM (if that is your ultimate goal). With National Guard, you get the benefit of community and country involvement; while still balancing your career goals. Make sure you understand IBM's policies and procedures around your deployment schedules.
Great forethought as now you have secured potentially two avenues to pay for college, IBM and the National Guard. Leading to less debt in the future.
It sounds like you have a plan and you are executing that plan. So just keep moving forward and juggling all the things that you love. Life will throw a curve ball now and again. Stay focused and refine your goals as need be.
As you progress, you may have to compromise of some schedules to accommodate others, but as you have already established a commitment and work ethic with the church and book store, I am sure they will be flexible with you. If not, then it just means it is time for you to refocus and step into the next phase of adult life.
The military will give you opportunity to lead and start building the tools which will take you into further growth with IBM (if that is your ultimate goal). With National Guard, you get the benefit of community and country involvement; while still balancing your career goals. Make sure you understand IBM's policies and procedures around your deployment schedules.
Great forethought as now you have secured potentially two avenues to pay for college, IBM and the National Guard. Leading to less debt in the future.
Updated
Jose’s Answer
Joining the military is a great way to serve your country and get involved with your community. You'll be looked up to. The military will also allow you time to reach your religiius goals. Although, at the end of the day, your service will trump whatever personal things you have going on.
Leo McKenzie
Creative, Traditional & 3D Artist, Designer and Corp Executive.
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Leo’s Answer
Jasmine,
All of the previous people who replied provided excellent advice and I don't know if I can add any more value. I'm just here to cheer you on, wish you the absolute best and say you will do very well at whatever you work at doing. You sound to have a very insight on what you want to do and that's half the battle for most people.
The military will be good for you. It will open doors of opportunity, give you good structure, help you realize you can accomplish more than you think and as one other person mentioned before me, it can pay for both your undergrad and continuing education and finally set you up for good retirement.
All of the previous people who replied provided excellent advice and I don't know if I can add any more value. I'm just here to cheer you on, wish you the absolute best and say you will do very well at whatever you work at doing. You sound to have a very insight on what you want to do and that's half the battle for most people.
The military will be good for you. It will open doors of opportunity, give you good structure, help you realize you can accomplish more than you think and as one other person mentioned before me, it can pay for both your undergrad and continuing education and finally set you up for good retirement.
Updated
Sreedhar’s Answer
Hi Jasmine,
You should be able to join National Guard and get their help in paying for college with your interested field of study. Since you live in a big city, you can find a college of your interest without moving away from your community. The IBM Co-op can continue even in college.
Good luck.
Sreedhar
You should be able to join National Guard and get their help in paying for college with your interested field of study. Since you live in a big city, you can find a college of your interest without moving away from your community. The IBM Co-op can continue even in college.
Good luck.
Sreedhar
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello Jasmine. Thank you for your interest in serving. I'm not familiar with what an IBM co-op is, but I believe you will be able to manage all your interests. Like you, I had quite a diverse set of interests and activities in high school. I took about a dozen AP classes, ran cross country and track, was a company commander in my JROTC battalion, volunteered with the sheriff's office, fire department, and county dive rescue team, was on the national honor society, was executive director of my school's weekly video news broadcast, etc.
After high school I completed Air Force ROTC while earning my Bachelors and working as an EMT. After graduating I served on active duty while volunteering as a firefighter and earning my Masters. While I was not involved in any church activities, many of my colleagues in the Air Force were. So yes, I think you could absolutely manage a career in the Air Force while pursuing any level of education you desire and continuing to be an active member of your church community.
In terms of prioritization I assume you hold your religion and family in the highest regards, but the honest truth of the matter is that you may find your career takes precedence at times, especially if we're talking a military career. Due to shift work, training obligations, changes of station, and deployments you may be gone for months at a time, have to work on holidays, Sundays, etc. As I said before, I had many religious colleages who balanced both lifestyles. For religion specific questions, you might try reaching out to an Air Force chaplain.
Not sure if that helps or not....please feel free to ask any more specific questions you have.
After high school I completed Air Force ROTC while earning my Bachelors and working as an EMT. After graduating I served on active duty while volunteering as a firefighter and earning my Masters. While I was not involved in any church activities, many of my colleagues in the Air Force were. So yes, I think you could absolutely manage a career in the Air Force while pursuing any level of education you desire and continuing to be an active member of your church community.
In terms of prioritization I assume you hold your religion and family in the highest regards, but the honest truth of the matter is that you may find your career takes precedence at times, especially if we're talking a military career. Due to shift work, training obligations, changes of station, and deployments you may be gone for months at a time, have to work on holidays, Sundays, etc. As I said before, I had many religious colleages who balanced both lifestyles. For religion specific questions, you might try reaching out to an Air Force chaplain.
Not sure if that helps or not....please feel free to ask any more specific questions you have.