students

The credit crisis in America has taken a toll on the availability of student loan products as more lenders drop out of the business. According to Net Worth’s Kathleen Pender “More than two dozen non bank lenders have stopped making college loans and last week, three large banks followed suit.”

The fact that college tuition is spiraling upward with no end in sight, adds to the ever growing importance of a student’s career path decision making process.

3 Pitfalls To Avoid

1. Lost Money: Finding the “right” career path is more important than ever before as even the slightest delays or u-turns can cost students and their families thousands of dollars in lost tuition.
   
2. Lost Time: Without a clear definite path based on passionate interest, a student can begin an ill fated career which can account for years of lost time and lost wages in pursuit of something that does not fit.
   
3. Misguided Deciding Factors: When students and parents look at job markets, financial compensation, and job availability as the only factors in choosing a career path they are setting themselves and their children up for disappointing results.
   

3 Tips For A Successful Career:

Before you consult the traditional counselors, career and interest surveys, and company representatives recruiting on campus consider the following:

• Awareness: You will graduate to the workforce via corporate America or as an entrepreneur with a work life history that averages 40+ years.

• Interest: The career path you pursue should be one that holds your interest. It is imperative that you identify all their interests. Make a detailed list of the things, activities, and rituals you enjoy. This should help to heighten your awareness about what direction to explore.

• Passion: After identifying your interests, which interests are your passions? Which activity, subject, or ritual do you lose time in? Make a list of these passion interests and consider them your priority list moving forward.