Student Profile with Introduction

image

Tia Roy, 19

Psychology major, Interpersonal Communications minor

Merrimack College

image The more I learn about myself, and the more exploration I do, the more refined my decision making becomes. image

Tia Roy grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and attended a vocational high school where she took a hands-on approach to exploring technical trades. During high school, she had a specific attraction to occupations in the child care and health care fields. Tia graduated as a certified nursing assistant in the state of Massachusetts. While in high school, she worked two part-time jobs and was also president of her class, president of the Key Club, and an active member in several organizations, such as the National Vocational Technical Honor Society, Skills USA, and the drama club. Her parents instilled in her the values of hard work and dedication, and more important, the expectation that she would be the first in her family to attend college.

Knowing that she would have to commute, Tia applied to four colleges, all within a 30-mile radius of her home. Her parents, although emotionally supportive, were unable to provide financial or informational support during the college applications process. If Tia was going to be successful, she would have to find her own way. “Being told I needed to pay for my college education all by myself was a real shock,” she says. “I basically was forced to grow up overnight. I realized that working harder than ever was no longer a choice, but a necessity. I knew if I was truly going to be the first in my family to go to college, I was on my own.” When Tia is not in class or studying, she splits her time between working as a peer adviser, waiting tables, and being an in-home health care aide. “Being a commuter student, juggling academics, family, and three part-time jobs is definitely difficult,” says Tia. “It is hard to explain to my parents that sometimes finishing a ten-page paper takes precedence over contributing to Sunday morning house cleaning. They didn’t go to college. They don’t understand. Making it all work—holding all of this responsibility on my shoulders—is difficult but important. I understand myself as a first-generation college student better now, in that I have unique challenges associated with the college experience.”

Tia entered Merrimack College as an undeclared first-year student, unsure of what she wanted to study but knowing that eventually she wanted to work with those suffering from intellectual and developmental disabilities. “I am so grateful to have had such a nontraditional high school experience because I was able to immerse myself as a professional in the workforce earlier than my peers. At sixteen, I was working in a facility through the cooperative education program, supporting twelve adults with various developmental disabilities. I believe this has allowed me to have a clearer understanding of my post-college career goals, as well as giving me a greater appreciation for what college has to offer,” she explains. Now in her sophomore year, Tia has decided to major in psychology and minor in interpersonal communications. “I’ve changed my major twice since coming to Merrimack,” she says. “The more I learn about myself, and the more exploration I do, the more refined my decision making becomes. I’ve settled on psychology because I believe it will provide me with a foundation on which to build my education and experiences.”

assess your strengths

One of the reasons most students go to a college or university is to acquire knowledge that they will apply to a career. As a first-year student, it is not necessary to know exactly what you want to do when you graduate from college. After all, you just got here! What is important, however, is to take advantage of the resources and support available. Consider some of the things you are doing or have already done to make use of the help provided.

set goals

As you read this chapter, think of what is important as you begin mapping out your career path. Do you need to make a decision about your major? Have you thought about joining a campus club or organization? In what industry could you see yourself building a career? Commit to exploring and using the resources available to you, starting with a visit to the career center and a goal of getting familiar with the excellent online occupational resources described in this chapter.

Your choice to attend college enhances your possibilities for employment and will likely contribute to a satisfying career path. College is a time not only for gaining academic knowledge, but also for understanding who you are as a person, exploring available opportunities, being exposed to diverse ideas and cultures, and growing from a student into a contributing member of our global economy.

Some students come to college with a clear direction, firm knowledge of what major they want to study, and awareness of their likely career path. Others, like Tia, enter college undecided, understanding that their exposure to diverse subject matter will help solidify their academic choices. Still others enter with a declared major but are not certain how this course of study translates to the world of work. Each of these scenarios is normal. According to research conducted by Pennsylvania State University, 80 percent of entering college students at Penn State and other institutions are uncertain about their major, regardless of their decision to declare a major, and 50 percent of students change their major at least once.1 Participating in co-curricular activities, such as joining a club or working part-time, helps solidify some decision making and allows you to learn a bit more about yourself in the process. Students who make connections between what they learn both inside and outside the classroom have a more profound and satisfying college experience than those who do not. In this chapter, you will learn how self-exploration influences the career decision-making process, as well as helpful tips and guidance about the resources available to prepare you for your career exploration in college and beyond.