1. Laura Monks Motlow State Community College

2.  Director of Fayetteville Center, 19 years at Motlow College ◦ Three College Degrees – MSCC (AS) and MTSU (BAD & M ED)  First Career Choice  Second Career Choice  Still searching for what I want to be “when I grow up”  My Belief – I believe in the power of education, I am still learning something new everyday!

3.  Stay home and let my parents support me?  Get a job?  Join the military?  Go to technical school?  Go to college?

4. “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” -Confucius-

6.  According to the 2010 Census (www.census.gov)  2363 Four Year Colleges/Universities  1721 Two Year Colleges  3660 Vocational/Technical Schools  No wonder it is so hard to make up your mind!

7.  Lifetime earnings  Employment Potential  Satisfaction with your career/job  Where you will live  Who your friends will be & maybe even who you will marry  Your future health and happiness  Yes, even how long you might live

9. Nature of the Work ◦What do they do? ◦Where do they do it? Education or Training Required Job Outlook Earnings – how much does it pay?

10.  Biomedical engineers  Network systems and data communications analysts  Home health aides  Personal and home care aides  Financial examiners  Medical scientists, except epidemiologists  Physician assistants  Skin care specialists  Biochemists and biophysicists

11.  Registered nurses Home health aides  Customer service representatives  Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food  Personal and home care aides  Retail salespersons  Office clerks, general  Accountants and auditors

12.  Textile workers  Shoe machine operators and tenders  Sewing machine operators  Order clerks  File clerks

13.  http://www.bls.gov/k12/index.htm - Learn about occupations that match your interests http://www.bls.gov/k12/index.htm  http://www.planningyourdreams.org/ - Kuder Interest Inventory - take assessments that help you match interests to careers (Get access through your school counselor) http://www.planningyourdreams.org/

14. Studies demonstrate that increased levels of postsecondary education lead to higher salaries, longer working lives, more career mobility and an increased quality of life. (see, for example, Bowen, 1977; Leslie & Brinkman, 1988; Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991).

16.  Public or Private  In-state or Out-of-state  Community College or University  Big or Small  Sports & Extracurricular Activities?  Scholarships & Financial Aid

17. Article by Martha O’Connell, February 21, 2007, www.npr.org

18.  You can’t afford: ◦ to “find yourself” in college ◦ to spend 5 or 6 years getting a degree ◦ to be in a major that will not get you a job ◦ wait to apply for scholarships and financial aid

19.  Dual Enrollment & Dual Credit  Community College ◦ Lower Tuition ◦ Live at Home  State Universities  Scholarships (academic, athletic, & special) ◦ Hope (In Tennessee)  Grants  Part-time Work  Shop for Books

22.  Career: Bank Teller  Annual Salary: $23,000  Education: High School Graduate  Educational Cost/Investment: $0  Number of years of work (to 65 years of age): 46  # of years for return on educational investment? 0  Lifetime Earnings? $1,058,000

23.  Career: Elementary School Teacher  Annual Salary: $45,000  Education: MTSU (4 years)  Educational Cost/Investment: $17,500/Year  Number of years of work (to 65 years of age): 42  # of years for return on Investment? 1.5  Lifetime Earnings? $1,890,000

24.  Career: Registered Nurse  Annual Salary: $62,500  Education: Motlow College (3 years)  Educational Cost/Investment: $4,000/Year  Number of years of work (to 65 years of age): 43  # of years for return on Investment? Approximately 3 months  Lifetime Earnings? $2,647,000

25.  Career: Social Worker  Annual Salary: $39,600  Education: Belmont University (4 years)  Educational Cost/Investment: $40,000/Year  Number of years of work (to 65 years of age): 42  # of years for return on Investment? 4 Years  Lifetime Earnings? $1,680,000