Why do people go to college?
- Meet New People from around the world
- Learn about new subjects like Marketing or Anthropology
- Make new friends
- Go to college parties
- Live in a dorm – even some co-ed dorms!
- Be independent and live away from home
- Because it is the thing to do after High School
However, the MOST important reason for going to college is:
SO YOU CAN GET A GOOD JOB WHEN YOU GRADUATE! (Or get into a great graduate school, so you can get a good job after that!)
The point of college is not for you to just have fun – it’s so you get the skills and “badge of honor” that you need in order to begin a career in a number of exciting fields.
So, what do you want to be when you “grow up”?
You might not know the answer yet, but you will have to make a decision for your general career direction. In the following, we’re giving you a little help to pick a career direction that is good for you!
JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE PEOPLE
Are you a people person? Do you have a lot of friends, or love to talk and help others? If so, consider these careers:
- Sales Person
- Teacher
- Psychologist/Social Worker
JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE SCIENCE
Do you like biology, chemistry, and/or physics? Is Bill Nye the Science Guy your role model? If so, check out these jobs!
- Doctor / Dentist / Veterinarian
- Nurse
- Research Scientist
JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE MATH
Is numbers your “thing”? Are you able to get 90s in math without studying too much? If so, check out these jobs!
- Marketing Research Analyst / Statistician
- Engineer
- Actuary
JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE BEING IN CONTROL
Are you good at arguing? Do you write persuasive English papers? Are you “bossy”? If so, maybe one of these jobs is right for you!
- Lawyer
- Police Officer
- Fire Fighter
JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GOOD WITH THEIR HANDS
Are academic classes kind of boring? Are you better at fixing things or making things? If so, look at these jobs!
- Graphic Designer
- Skilled Trade
- Chef
- Cosmetologist / Hair Stylist
ACTUARY
When you buy health insurance, life insurance, or any other type of insurance, you pay a certain amount of money. But how much is enough? If insurance companies charge too much, no one will buy their stuff. If they charge too little, they will go bankrupt. Actuaries are people who use complex math equations to figure out just how much money insurance companies should charge. They must have a 4-year college degree and pass a series of complex tests that often takes years. However, they are working while they take these tests, and once they become a certified actuary, they can make $100k-$250k per year!
CHEF
We’ve all see the celebrity chefs on TV, like Bobby Flay or Emeril Lagasse. How did they get there? Most chefs go to culinary school, which is a two-year program that teaches you everything you need to know to slice, dice, simmer, and sauté your favorite foods. Chefs start around $25k, but can increase to over $100k as a Executive Chef or restaurant owner.
COSMETOLOGIST / HAIR STYLIST
Did you get your hair and nails done for prom? Do you like to make other people beautiful? If so, then amend beauty school, which usually takes less than 2 years, to become a certified hairstylist or cosmetologist. You can work hourly and make around $25k or save your money and own your own salon, where you can make over $100k!
DOCTOR / DENTIST / VETERINARIAN
Doctors work with human bodies, dentists work with human teeth, and veterinarians work with animal bodies and teeth! Vet school is especially difficult to get into, as there are only 28 accredited veterinary medicine schools in the country! Compare that with over 150 medical schools and over 65 dental schools. The average doctor makes $120k (and over $500k for some surgeons), the average dentist makes $120k and the average veterinarian makes $96k. For all three jobs, you must first go to a 4-year college and then a 4-year graduate school. Doctors also need at LEAST 3 more years of residency training after medical school.
ENGINEER
Engineers design all the things that make this world work. They design cars to improve gas efficiency and increase engine torque and speed. They make computers smaller and more powerful. They create tiny surgical equipment that can enter the smallest blood vessel to conduct life-saving surgery. Engineers need at least a 4-year college degree, after which they can work for a company. Most engineers will also get a 2-year Master’s degree while they are working, because most large employers PAY for it!
FIRE FIGHTER
NYC firefighters must be at least 21 years old and have at least 6 months of work experience or college credits. They must also be US citizens and have a driver’s license. Then there’s a physical test and medical screening. A new firefighter makes $43k, but can earn up to $99k in 5 years!
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Do you like the cartoons and design of this handbook? Yes, no, maybe so? If you want to do something about it, and you like to draw, then chances are you should look into graphic design. Graphic designers create the logos you see on billboard ads and storefronts, book covers and magazines. Most graphic designers have a 2- year degree from community college or a trade school, though some have a 4-year degree from art school. Graphic designers can work for themselves or for large companies, and the average graphic designer makes around $45k.
LAWYER
When you’re in real, legal trouble, you turn to your lawyer. Aside from trial lawyers you see on TV, there are lawyers who help solve problems in real estate, business, immigration, divorce, family, and even lawyers for the NYC school district! To become a lawyer, you must first amend a 4-year college and then 3 years of law school. Salaries vary depending on the place you work – you can make anywhere from $50k to over $500k!
MARKETING RESEARCH ANALYST / STATISTICIAN
Ever wonder if TV ads really work? If you want to answer this question, you can use your math skills to analyze which marketing tools can do what. You’ll be able to save companies millions of dollars on ineffective ads, and be directing precious marketing dollars on ad campaigns that actually work! What’s your reward for this information? Salaries ranging from $50k to well over $100k. Some senior marketing researchers make over $250k a year! To get to that point, you will need at least a 4- year college degree, and possibly graduate work.
NURSE
We all know what a nurse is! Think about your school nurse. He/she helps you when you are sick, and in a hospital, nurses help doctors. Nurses can take your pulse, help you take medication, or even assist in surgeries. There are two types of nurses: Registered Nurse (RN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). It takes only 2 years to become an RN (KCC has a great nursing program!), while it takes 6 years to become an NP – you must graduate a 4-year college and then get a 2 –year Master of Science in Nursing. The average RN makes $66k while the average NP makes $92k.
POLICE OFFICER NYPD
officers have an important and exciting job keeping New York City safe. In order to become a police officer, you must be 21 years old and have at least two years worth of college credits. After passing a written test, a physical test, and a background check, you’ll join the Police Academy, where you’ll train for about 38 weeks total. Then you’re a cop, making $45k, which increases to over $75k when you re>re in 20 years!
PSYCHOLOGIST / SOCIAL WORKER
Psychologists and social workers help people with their problems. A social worker focuses more on psychotherapy and discussion-based solutions, while a psychologist administers more tests for patients. Both careers require a 4-year college degree; the psychologist needs a PhD in Psychology, which usually takes 6 more years, while the social worker needs a Master in Social Work, which takes 2 years. The salary ranges are wide, star>ng at around $45k and going as high as $500k or more!
RESEARCH SCIENTIST
Research scientists study all types of scientific topics that are important to daily life. They range from marine biologists who study the ocean to chemists who create the delicious artificial flavors of popsicles and snow cones! Research scientists can work in a university, in private labs, or in large companies. To begin, you must have a 4- year college degree, while many scientists also have a Master’s (2 years) or PhD (6 years) in their field. Why the difference? PhD’s can command $100k or more while Master’s typically make $50k-$70k.
SALESPERSON
A salesperson is someone who sells things, and depending on what you’re selling, you could become extremely successful! Most career salespeople have at least a 2- year college degree. As a rule of thumb, the more complex and expensive the thing you’re selling is, the more money you will make. For example, pharmaceutical sales reps are people who sell LEGAL MEDICAL drugs to doctor’s offices. These people need to have a good understanding of biology and chemistry, and can make more than $100k per year! To become a salesperson, it’s a good idea to study Economics, Psychology, and specific subjects that relate to what you’re trying to sell. You can also study business, and one day start your own company!
SKILLED TRADE
Skilled tradesmen work with their hands, but have much more specialized knowledge than your average laborer. Examples include mechanics, plumbers, tailors, carpenters, electricians, and metal workers. Most of these trades can be learned at a vocational school in two years or less, after which there may be an apprenticeship, or paid job training. Salaries start at $25k when working hourly to over $100k if you own your business!
TEACHER
We all know what a teacher is! If you like helping others, are good at communicating, and have patience, then this job may be for you. Teachers need at least a 4-year college degree, typically in the subject area they will teach in. In NYC, teachers must also have a Master’s degree. Teachers usually start at $40-50k in salary, and can go as high as $100k or more! If you take additional classes and have job experience, you can even become an Assistant Principal or Principal!