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HSFPP Weekly Update # 154—Should You Consider an Associate Degree?

Message from Bob: We have just had an influx of new subscribers to the list; so, for those of you who are new to the Kentucky High School Financial Planning Program, Welcome! To learn more about the program, you might want to read Update #131 from the beginning of the school year and look over the HSFPP Web site. And, of course, if you have any questions about the program, please let me know!

When thinking about what they would like to do for a career, most high-school students want to know how much money they might make, especially when they’re starting out. Whether or not students want to make a lot of money, they must know what types of courses they will need to take during high school and beyond. Also, current hiring trends in various careers could have an impact on students’ career choices. It helps to research careers before choosing a college or seeking other types of post-secondary education.

To make it easier for those who have just signed up, we are going back to the old format, with questions and activities following this week’s article In the New$....

Message from Chris: Deciding what to do after high school is confusing and is a difficult decision for many students to make. Associate degrees, which may be earned at community and technical colleges, have several advantages and should be considered.

 

Web Site Pick of the Week:

http://www.bls.gov/opub/

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site includes publications such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook (revised quarterly), career guides, Working in the 21st Century, and a publication about Roth 401k plans.

 

In the New$... Should You Consider an Associate Degree?

By Chris Hart, Senior in Telecommunications, University of Kentucky

For many reasons, I look forward to graduating in May; beyond the obvious reasons, which all of you will understand, one reason for wanting to be through with school is the third consecutive double-digit percentage tuition increase here at our state’s flagship university. When considering post-secondary education, cost is a significant issue. Many high school graduates aren’t sure they want to go to college, but want to further their education after high school; like many students, they might not know what subject they want to major in. It is a good idea to consider all options.

Many students would do well to consider an associate degree for their post-secondary education. This degree, available at a community or technical college near you, can be earned in just two years; you then can use your degree to begin a career, or go on for a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution. Many associate degree programs offer more real world, work-type experience than four-year colleges and universities do, so students can learn whether they like what they will be doing and change to something else if need be. Tuition and fees at community colleges and other institutions that offer associate degrees are usually far less costly than two years of college at a four-year institution. You might not need the student loans that can be a burden to repay in future years; but student aid is available if you need it. I encourage you to read the article about associate degrees at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/winter/art01.pdf. By looking at everything that is available, you can make the best choice for life after high school.

Source: “Associate Degree: Two Years to a Career or a Jump Start to a Bachelor’s Degree,” by Olivia Crosby. http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/winter/art01.pdf

 

Discussion Questions:

1.) What options have you considered for your education and career beyond high school? Are you satisfied with your choices so far? Do you think you need to explore other areas?

 

2.) Do you know what you want to do after high school?

 

Follow-Up Activity:

Business majors and other students can research careers on http://www.bls.gov/oco/, the Web site for the Occupational Outlook Handbook. This nationally recognized source of career information forecasts how well each occupation is likely to do in the future in terms of numbers of jobs likely to be added or lost in a field; it tells how much people in a profession are paid, the level of education and training needed, etc. This is exactly the kind of information students need when planning for their education, training, and career.

 

Take-Home Questions:

Choose an occupation that might interest you, but that you know little about, and answer the following questions:

1.) Training needed: List high school courses, if required, and other types of education and training beyond high school.

 

2.) Job outlook:

 

3.) How much earnings you can expect: beginning wage or salary; median salary; and apprentice salary, if appropriate.

 

For extra credit, research more careers that interest you and answer the questions above about each one.

 

Kentucky High School Financial Planning Program

http://www.ca.uky.edu/fcs/hsfp

The purpose of the HSFPP weekly financial updates and Web site is to assist county Extension agents, credit union educators, high school teachers, and parents who home school their teenagers so that they may improve the economic well-being of our teenagers; and also to show educators how the HSFPP and the weekly updates meet Kentucky core concepts. The Web site and weekly updates are provided by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, and are free to all educators. The list of core concepts and order form for free program materials including the student guide and instructors manual can be found on the Kentucky HSFPP home page.