ERIC CABALLERO

Transferring and Career Planning

     Many people who attend community college have high hopes of transferring to a state college or a University. Most students who attend community college are fresh out of high school and don’t have a set career plan nor a transfer plan.  The best way to seek help on both these issues is to talk to a college counselor, research, and know possible fields of interest. After having a possible choice the transferring process will be much clearer.

The major you choose in college doesn't set the course for the rest of your life; it's merely a starting point. What's important is following your interests and discovering what you love to do. The first step is to do some self-assessments. The more you understands yourself the clearer your life goals and the way to reach them become.  You can ask yourself questions like, what do I truly enjoy? Consider the classes and activities that you have enjoyed the most. Why did you enjoy them, what types of things do you seem to do well? Also take an honest look at your unique strengths and abilities. What are you good at?

These are some questions that a student should consider and choose a major that uses those skills. These questions are a good starting point for planning a career.

     For me, choosing a career was a difficult task. I really had to think long and hard about what I am good at and what I would love doing for the rest of my life. I though of the things I enjoy doing, my interests and the lifestyle I want to live. When thinking of possibilities I made sure they were careers that take critical thinking because I have fear that one day simple jobs will be done by machines. I thought a lot about my career, and I soon realized I am good at making web pages, creating designs and just making things look good and professional. I am also really fascinated by design programs.

Another of my interests was just making ads in my high school visual communications class. So I decided to look into advertisement, it was perfect I could be creative and use computer to layout designs. I also love that there are many psychological things behind every ad and advertisement. So as soon as I chose a possible major, I researched it online and read that that career is in high demand now of days. This confirmed my decision even more, I will major in advertisement and minor in graphic designing. When I chose a career it was necessary to know what courses to take to transfer and get into the appropriate school.

One must also be educated on transferring. It is necessary to have a transferring plan. Most students talk with a counselor at the community college they attend. This can be very helpful. Counselors have been there before and have a great deal of experience and knowledge to aid uninformed to students. These counselors can help students to choose a college, major, and career that best suits their abilities and their interests.

According to collegeboard.com, Students decide to transfer to different schools for various reasons. If you are thinking about transferring, you need to make sure you would be doing it for the right reasons. Don't transfer to a different school just because you don't like your current roommate. Knowing when to start the transfer process is imperative. In general, you should begin the application process at least two semesters before you intend to transfer. Some schools will only take transfers for fall semester, while others will alter their acceptance rates based on fluctuations in enrollment. You should talk to a transfer counselor at the school you are currently attending and make contact with the admissions office of the school you would like to attend so you can research all requirements thoroughly.

When applying to a college you should first research the school and make sure it carries the career you are planning on majoring in. I would suggest you make a list of schools you are interested in, and then check to see where they stand on your planned major. One should want to attend a school that has a good program and education with there field of interest.

These are some of the factors many new college students face, and now you know there are many ways to seek out help. Once you choose a major, things will be clearer; you can find a college that best suits your field of interest and make a transfer plan, assuring that you will be taking the correct courses necessary to transfer to the right school.