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What is the worst thing about college that's not academically related.

I always hear about how hard it is to pass classes and study in college but I never hear about what else is difficult about college. #college

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Subject: Career question for you
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Ken’s Answer

During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I have found that the worst thing that can happen to a student is the selection of an unsuitable major. I have encountered too many students who, when in the real world application of their major in a job situation, found that they did not like or were uncomfortable with the job and found it to be unsuitable. Many jobs/careers appear differently from the inside than how they appear from the outside. However, I have developed a process that will help you to avoid that by getting to know yourself and the career area better before this can happen to you. Evaluating a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. They might look great. However, you need to try them on and walk in them for a while to determine proper fit and comfort.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field your are considering or what are you might best select. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person who tracks and works with graduates at your high school and college which you might be considering to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow graduates doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Sherry’s Answer

Chloe,

For many young adults, it's hard to be away from home for the first time. You have to be accountable for yourself. You are starting out in a new environment and need to make new friends, live on a budget and figure out how to eat healthy. I wouldn't say these are the "worst things" but they can be challenging. If you are able to view it as a fun adventure, you'll be able to navigate college and have a wonderful time. You'll meet friends for life!
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