If you’re a parent of a Gen Z high school senior, chances are you’ve had some talks about their college plans. If those conversations haven’t led to a path now is the time to lean in and assist your child in making informed decisions about their future.
Gen Z students often approach college with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Many dreams of making a difference in the world, pursuing careers in social media or venturing into entrepreneurship. While these goals are commendable it’s essential to stress the value of a STEM education whether through traditional college routes, training programs or skill-based professions. Guiding your child to understand their chosen field, industry trends and potential career trajectory is crucial for long-term success.
For instance, consider a student who wants to be a cosmetologist. They may need to recognize that beauty school tuition can be as costly as attending college. Moreover, they might overlook the aspects of their career like owning a salon that demands business acumen. By learning how to handle business finances and secure funding opportunities, their aspirations could become financially viable.
It’s important to guide students towards attending college programs to discover scholarships and grasp the FAFSA process even if they’re focusing on non-traditional career paths like skill trades or vocational training. Students should still be motivated to explore apprenticeship programs to help with tuition expenses. Starting a business while studying is another option. Using college assignments to develop business strategies can be beneficial. Students can look for business grants or pitching opportunities to fund their projects.
Parents have a role in ensuring their children are well prepared and organized during their year of high school. Setting the foundation for a college journey involves minimizing debt and establishing a career path that aligns with future job market trends. Encourage your child to explore these trends and consider careers with growth prospects.
Early preparation is key. The sooner your student starts researching college choices, delving into their chosen field of study and setting career objectives the more prepared they will be for scholarship consideration.
America is making efforts to improve its infrastructure. There are numerous opportunities for both skilled tradespeople and college graduates. Some vocational programs provide stipends to cover training and living expenses. It’s crucial for students to apply and learn about programs as early as possible. High-achieving students should investigate scholarships and other merit-based awards with many having application deadlines in the fall of their senior year.
A common misconception is that scholarships are only accessible to low-income individuals. Scholarships are available to students from all backgrounds. Families often miss out on opportunities because they think schools are solely responsible for granting scholarships. Students need to search for and apply to scholarships offered by private organizations as well.
To learn more on how parents can effectively guide their high school seniors in exploring and choosing careers, minimizing debt and options for scholarships for all students, including high-achieving students, order my book, “The Parents Smart Guide to Sending Your Kids to College without Going Broke, Vital Scholarship Information for Students” available at www.freshperspectivesseminars.org