College is expensive and competition in the labor market is fierce. Two goals of savvy parents are to reduce college costs and to get good value for what they spend. Good value to most parents is gainful employment in the degree program of the student immediately upon graduation.

 

Some educators accept the idea that the teen years are too early for a student to choose a major. They like to tell students it is not necessary to choose a major before they apply to colleges. I beg to differ. Assessment instruments in the hands of highly trained and skilled counselors and advisors can identify the best major for a student.  For the past three years, students in my college prep summer camps have easily identified their majors and that has made their college search much easier.

 

Students who know their major have an edge in choosing a college. They are not choosing a college and then hoping it has their major.  Having an identified college major helps students choose the best colleges for that major.  An identified major also helps students graduate on time and focus on applicable extra-curricular experiences and internships while in college.

 

I like to think of college as a two to four year job prep program. The more focus students can show on their resume, the more they look like a great fit for a position.

The more professional they look and the better prepared they are, the more likely they are to get a professional position consistent with their degree.