Who Do You Think You Are?: Three Crucial Conversations for Coaching Teens to College and Career Success

HELP YOUR TEEN FIND THE CAREER THAT FITS HIS OR HER STRENGTHS

Who Do You Think You Are? is the guide for families, school counselors, and mentors who want to give young people a better way to discover who they are and to apply their individual strengths, through education, to achieve success in a suitable career. This authoritative guide begins with three guided, personal discussions to help reveal the types of work that are likely to lead your teen to success and satisfaction. This book will help you be the facilitator a young person needs to explore his or her interests, identify a career and, most important, develop a plan to succeed.

Just sixty percent of college students earn a four–year degree in six years, and many who do graduate are unprepared to succeed in the workplace. Despite intelligence and hard work, many of these young people fail to achieve academic and career success because they haven′t been shown how to approach education with an end in mind. With this first–of–its–kind guidebook, you can be the positive influence that helps your kids or students to:

Identify a compelling career field with high potential Map out an academic plan to achieve their career goals Take a long–term perspective on education and how school can prepare them to lead satisfying, successful lives

Help your teenager discover his or her unique path to a fulfilling career and life with Who Do You Think You Are?

About the Authors ix

Acknowledgments xi

PART I Who Are You?

Chapter 1 How Do You Get Started? 3

Chapter 2 What Are Your Interests and Strengths? 13

Chapter 3 What Does Work Mean to You? 25

PART II Where Are You Heading?

Chapter 4 Are You Ready for a Career in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math? 37

Chapter 5 Can You Have a Good Career with a Degree in the Liberal Arts? 49

Chapter 6 Can You Have a Career Helping Others without Sacrificing Your Own Needs? 61

Chapter 7 Do You Want to Work in Business or Be in Business? 73

Chapter 8 Can You Make a Living as an Artist or Musician? 85

Chapter 9 Should You Consider a Career in Law or Criminal Justice? 97

PART III How Will You Get to Where You Want to Go?

Chapter 10 How Can You Try On Your Career Interests? 113

Chapter 11 Is College Right for You? 127

Chapter 12 Can You Afford College? 141

Chapter 13 Does It Matter Where You Go to College? 153

Chapter 14 Is Community College a Better Place to Start? 167

Chapter 15 Closing Thoughts 179

Additional Resources 181

Notes 185

Index 189

STEPHEN M. SMITH is CEO of Intellispark, an education technology company. He is vice chair of the board of College Possible, a member of the board of the National College Access Network, and a cofounder of Naviance. He previously served as president and chief product officer at Hobsons, where he focused on helping students achieve college and career readiness and success.

SHAUN FANNING is chief product officer at Intellispark and a cofounder of Naviance. He previously served as vice president of research and development at Hobsons, where he led new product initiatives focused on improving student success. Earlier in his career, he held a variety of roles in business analysis, finance, technology, marketing, and product management at AT&T and The Thomson Corporation (now Thomson Reuters).