1. The Importance of Planning for Careers and College
Mrs. Poole
Career Development Coordinator
Mount Pleasant High School

2. How many have decided on a:
College
Major
Career
Did you know there is a correct order for these to occur? What do you think it is?
Career
Major
College

3. Backwards Mapping Your Future
Work with the end in mind
If you want to be a “insert career” then you need to major in “insert major.”
Now you need to identify which institution has the major or program you need, in the location you want, and at the price you are willing to pay!

4. What can happen if you don’t plan properly?
What percent of college students who a 4 year college/university, graduate in 4 years?
2011 Cohort
US: 39.8% NC: 37.5%
What percent graduate in 6 years?
2009 Cohort
US: 59.6% NC: 61.2%
How about 8 years (for a 4 year degree?)
2007 Cohort
US 61.8% their starting institution)
US data: National Student Clearing House, Signature Report, Nov. 2015
NC data: College Completion.com, September 2016

5. The Cost of an extra year
Associates Degree (2YR)
Bachelor’s Degree (4 YR)
* Includes tuition, supplies, room/board, transportation costs

6. What’s happening in NC? NC Public Colleges NC Private Colleges
NC For Profit Colleges
NC Community Colleges

7. 2013 Graduation Rates NC Public Colleges
NC Public 4 year
Grad rate (6 Yr)
Grad rate (4 Yr)
Pell Grants
UNC Chapel Hill
90.0%
80.6%
20.5%
NCSU
74.0%
41.3%
22.5%
UNC Wilmington
71.0%
51.8%
28.2%
Appalachian
68.6%
41.5%
25.9%
UNC School of Arts
59.8%
57.4%
31.3%
UNC Asheville
59.5%
37.00%
31.9%
ECU
56.3%
30.8%
32.1%
UNC Greensboro
55.4%
29.7%
44.3%
UNC Charlotte
53.9%
25.6%
40.5%
Western Carolina
51.1%
32.0%
38.1%

8. 2013 Graduation Rates NC Public Colleges
Grad Rate (6 Yr)
Grad Rate (4 Yr)
Pell Grant
WSSU
45.5%
17.8%
57.2%
NC A & T
42.9%
16.0%
58.8%
Elizabeth City State
41.6%
21.5%
70.3%
NC Central Univ
39.7%
15.0%
68.5%
UNC Pembroke
32.7%
15.4%
53.5%
Fayetteville State
32.2%
12.0%
58.7%

9. 2013 Graduation Rates NC Private Colleges
Grad Rate (6 Yr)
Grad Rate (4 Yr)
Pell Grants
Duke
94.2%
87.1%
13.7%
Davidson
92.5%
89.9%
13.1%
Wake Forest
86.5%
81.8%
12.0%
Elon
81.6%
76.7%
9.1%
Salem
63.9%
61.3%
56.4%
Meredith
62.4%
50.3%
35.2%
High Point
61.8%
57.6%
12.6%
Wingate Univ
53.1%
46.9%
38.2%
Catawba
52.6%
41.0%
43.0%
Queens Univ
51.7%
43.8%
32.7%
Campbell Univ
48.9%
39.2%
36.9%
Lenoir-Rhyne
48.8%
39.8%
45.1%

10. 2013 Graduation Rate NC Private Colleges
Grad Rate (6 Yr)
Grad Rate (4 Yr)
Pell Grant
Campbell Univ
48.9%
39.2%
36.9%
Lenior-Rhyne
48.8%
39.8%
45.1%
Pfeiffer Univ
48.1%
33.3%
43.9%
Johnson & Wales
40.8%
51.1%
Johnson C Smith
44.3%
31.7%
69.4%
Livingstone College
20.1%
11.2%
83.4%

11. For Profit Colleges For Profit (4 Yr) Grad rate (6 Yr)
Pell Grants
Art Institute of Charlotte
40.8%
35.5%
75.7%
Strayer University
33.3%
0.0%
71.2%
ITT Technical
20.7%
17.2%
79.7%
Univ of Charlotte
14.5%
71.1%
For Profit (2 Yr)
Grad rate (4 yr)
Grad rate (2 Yr)
King’s College
82.9%
79.4%

12. How about 2 year community colleges?
Completion
2 year
Students with Pell Grants
Transferred and Completed a 4yr degree in at least 6 years
Nationally
38.2%
15.1%
All NC Public 2 Year
17.6%
RCCC
13.6%
11.5%
79.3%
Stanly CC
13.0%
12.3%
70.9%
CPCC
11.6%
4.0%
41.2%
Gaston College
24.1%
22.2%
46.6%

13. Weighing college choices
The average acceptance rate nationwide last year was 66%
More than 80% of last year’s college freshmen applied to at least three colleges

14. Three factors to consider
When touring a campus don’t just look at the fancy dorms, climbing walls, and technology filled classrooms
Instead consider academic offerings – does the college offer a range of majors and minors in case you change your mind
Do they offer the classes you want to take and need to graduate?
Sit in on a class or two and get a sense of how engaged students are
If you are going to college to get away from home and party, you are wasting your time and your parents’ money.

15. Factor #2
Investigate ways to learn outside the classroom aka experiential learning
Internships
Research with faculty members
Service learning in the field
Study abroad opportunities
Once you graduate from college, how will you distinguish yourself from other graduates?

16. Factor #3 Don’t forget about financial aid
Financial aid offers don’t follow a common template, so be sure to look closely
Loans vs grants
Subsidized (interest not charged while the student is in school) vs. Unsubsidized
Is there still a balance due that you or your parents will have to pay or will your parents have to borrow even more?
For many Americans, college is the biggest investment they’ll make in their lifetime. Often the college knows more about you than you know about the college.

17. The Need for Remediation
Problem: 1.7 million students begin college taking remediation courses
Only 10% of these students will go on to earn a degree
70% of community college students must take at least one remedial math course
Solution(s)
Pay attention to ACT results
Take a math course your Senior year of high school
Enroll in college math courses aligned to your potential major

18. Changing Schools
Problem: 60% of Bachelor degree recipients change colleges and often loose credits in the process
This includes students transferring from 2-year programs to 4-year programs
Solution(s):
Choose the right 4-year college for you:
Price, Location, Programs, Environment, etc.
If you are planning on transferring, the earlier you know the better
Research which credits will not only transfer to the ‘school’ (UNCC) but also to your intended major
Use online resources
Collegeboard.org

19. Not Taking Enough Credit Hours
Most courses = 3 credit hours per course
Labs = 1 credit hour
Problem: 29% of 2year students and 50% of 4year students are taking less than 15 credits a semester
15credits/semester x 8 semesters = 120 credits
However, 12credits/semester is considered Full Time
@ UNCC
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture = 128 credits
Bachelor of Science in Architecture = 158 credits
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering = 127 credits

20. Not Taking Enough Credit Hours
Solution(s):
Know the courses and credits needed
Get a head start in HS with College & Career Promise and Advanced Placement Courses
Research the school’s tuition policy
@UNCC, you only pay for the first 12 credits each semester
Take advantage of summer or online courses, even at other schools
Just be sure to verify that they will be accepted into your major

21. Taking too many/unnecessary credit hours
Problem: Students are acquiring more credits then their earned degree requires
Most 2 year degrees require 60 credits
Average for graduates is 81 credits
Most 4 year degrees require 120 credits
Average for graduates is 134

22. Taking too many credits
Solution(s):
Identify your major or target majors prior to starting college
You have to have identified your career goal prior to this
Know your ‘Critical Path Courses’
Those that must be completed in sequence
Understand your major’s ‘Plan of Study’
Limit exploration coursework
Make use of your Academic Advisor
Don’t wait for them to contact you

23. ACT Data 85% of 2016 graduates aspired to post secondary education
College isn’t for everyone, however you will need some type of post secondary education
Credential
License
Continuing Education Courses

24. College Ready Indicators
Unweighted GPA of 2.8+ and one or more of:
Advanced Placement exam (3+)
Advanced Placement course (A, B or C)
Dual credit college English or Math (A, B or C)
Algebra II (A, B or C)
ACT scores of
English 18
Reading 22
Science 23
Math 22
Taking Senior year math
-ready

25. Career Ready Indicators
Student has identified a career interest and meet two or more of the following:
90% attendance
25 hours of community service
Workplace learning experience
Industry credential
Two or more organized co-curricular activities (FFA, Skills or HOSA)
Dual credit career pathway course
Enrollment in a career pathway sequence
Taking senior year math
-ready

26. Starting TODAY
At the end of the day it is your responsibility to take high school seriously
Use your high school years wisely; your GPA (Grade Point Average) starts day one of high school
Speak with your Counselor or Career Development Coordinator (me – B116) early and often
Ask a lot of questions and seek out answers
Do your homework on career and college pathways

27. Median Earnings & Unemployment Rate by Education Level in NC (2015)

28. Questions?