Finding the Right Career

Finding the right career can create a path to happiness or if done without research it can lead you down a path of pure misery. I hear a lot of people complain about the jobs they have. We all have a choice of the careers that we choose, so just invest the time to get the one that they want. My advice is simple to finding that dream career. First you have to physically be able to complete the tasks that are required. There is a reason that I am not an artist. I just don't have the physical ability to express myself on a canvass. The second aspect has to deal with interest. I have the physical ability to do a lot of stuff, but that doesn't mean I will be happy doing it. So having an interest is very important. Now that you know what you can do and what you like you must now think about the lifestyle that it will create. Will it be able to create a lifestyle that is what you will bring you happiness. I came to a cross roads in my schooling in which I had to make a choice. I wanted desperately to be either an Industrial Organizational Psychologist or a Guidance Counselor. Both of which I had an interest in and would be physically able to carry out the tasks required of me. The deciding factor was the lifestyle. An IO Psychologist would make me live in a metropolitan area, less than steady work, and when working it would be crazy hours. The guidance counselor allowed me more time with my family, mobility and versatility. I chose to be a guidance counselor and I have been happy ever since. Does that mean there haven't been challenges? There will always be bumps but it won't be a constant uphill battle. Some time will create some happiness. Invest in  yourself, your future and your family.

Finding the right college

Finding the right college is as important is picking out the right pair of underwear. If you don't choose the right one for you it could be one of most uncomfortable experiences of your life. There are several things to consider when choosing the right college. First you must consider your educational goal. Do you want to get an Associates Degree or a PhD (or somewhere in between). What your intended major will be makes the choice more simple. Another aspect is the cost of attending the school.  Will you be able to afford the particular school that you would like to attend or is the a more cost effective version. Another aspect is location, location, location. Where you attend makes your decisions even more narrow.  A country boy like me might not fit the mold at a bigger school or maybe you like to get lost in the crowds. One of the final touches is to visit the campus in person and spend a day or two to get a better full picture. As you take these tips into account you will make a better choice that will help you be one of the few that actually finishes his or her degree. Good Luck.

Online Registration

Our rural school has been a little behind the times when it comes to online registration for our students. We bought into a program one year and I loved it, but it didn't do everything that they said that it would do. Because of that our administrators decided against renewing the contract. Our school uses Powerschool and I have heard that they offer an online registration portion. Any one have any online registration suggestions?

Utahfutures.org

Utahfutures.org is one of the greatest websites for student transition, if not the greatest. Utah Futures is a collaborative effort between Secondary Education, Higher Education and Work Force Services. It assists a student in creating a seamless path from middle school to a profession. You can explore careers, colleges, scholarships, majors, jobs, etc.... Best of all is that it is free. Visit your school counselor for your account information or if you are out of school go to Utahfutures.org to sign up for a free account. As GI Joe always said, "now you know and knowing is half the battle."

The Scholarship Mystery

I am a counselor and often times people ask me why are there so many scholarships that go with out being awarded. That is a simple question to answer. Many companies and organizations don't advertise them to a broad audience. Others are left because their pool of possible applicants is very limited, so if the right person doesn't find it. I often work with Snow College and they have many scholarships that are not awarded because they are accepted and then they don't use them because the student decides to attend another school. Remember the greatest odds of getting a scholarship comes from the institution in which you are going to attend.

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Please post your funny stories here!

My funny story: My father wanted to name me "Skip" after a camp counselor that he had when he was on a youth camp in Hawaii.  My mother refused to name me with a typical DOG's name. They decided to follow family tradition and name me after my father.  They named me Thayne O'Deen Hansen III and called me O'Dee for short. I was born 3 weeks before the well known cartoon "Garfield" came out. Part of that comic strip is a character named Odie..... yes a dog.  I guess I was destined to be named after a dog! Loyalty is one of my best qualities.

Thanks
O'Dee