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Get my child ready for college...in Middle School???

Getting Ready for College in…..Middle School???

 Lisa Lontai R.N.

            My oldest of four is leaving for college in August studying in a field that we hope she will be happy with.  When we began this frantic search of “what should I be” I thought there must be an easier way to “find your passion” without all the frustration, fears, and tears!

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            An acquaintance of mine is a college admissions director, of a school my daughter did not get into.  (Ahem).  I posed the question, What are college admissions directors looking for? A long resume filled with extracurricular activities?  She said, it depends on the college, but in years past that was what many schools were focused on, in today’s market with the competition so tight college admissions directors want to see a sustained passion for something.

            A sustained passion?, I thought of my four children. Other than video games and food I couldn’t think of anything. She laughed and said preparing for college should begin in 6th grade. What??? I can’t find their passion and with three of the four I have already missed the boat, Middle School is behind them.

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            Now I began to panic, but what she was stating was that children as they enter their Middle School years, begin to show signs of where their interests lie. For example, is your child interested in music, art, or are they more of the science math mind set? My friend suggested to take your child’s lead…she knows my youngest is an avid animal lover, it appears to be her passion. She said where does she volunteer?

 I responded ummm….., she said your kidding me?? She should be working at a rescue shelter, volunteering at a veterinarian’s office. Exposure is what she was referring to.

As a nurse, I know that the 7 -14 ages are considered the growth stage, it is where children begin to develop attitudes and beliefs about the world of work and  some of those beliefs may be based on limited information. Sure, my daughter at the young age of 11 loves animals and wants to be a vet., exposing her to the occupation may change her mind. Not her love of animals but where she may want to direct herself later in life.

My husband and I struggled sending our first daughter away to school. Spending $50,000 a year for them to realize “Oh this isn’t what I wanted to do”, is a little late. Start in Middle School, observe your child, are their grades better in the creative arts, or do they crave puzzles and are more analytical? Do you know that the third top college major is Education? Do many students pick this field because they have been exposed to it for 12 years of their life and as a Junior/Senior in high school it seems like a good idea?

One of my sons is desperate for a career in the military or police. Do you know our own police department has an Explorer program for children 14 years of age or older to help them discover what it is to work in law enforcement. Not only will it provide your child with an opportunity to learn about police work, but law in general.

The Watchung Arts Center is always looking for volunteers to stuff envelopes, greet patrons during art shows. If your child is interested in art, what a fabulous opportunity! The Somerset Medical Center also seeks volunteers if your child is interested in a career in the medical profession.

The Somerset County Youth Leadership program is a wonderful opportunity for students in grades 8-12. Speakers in this program work with these students in all aspects of county life; Health care, Justice, Arts/Culture are just a few of the areas these students are exposed to.

Middle School is a great time for exposure, let your child discover all of the wonderful career opportunities that are out there so that when they enter WHRHS their education can be tailored towards that goal.

I will do it for my kids and what great things to write on a college application like my friend said…it’s the building blocks we want to see. What did your child do to get to their goal?

 Let’s face it, many of us can look back and say “I wish I would have become a….” I hope for my children when they are in the work force, they can say “Wow, I am so glad I am a …..”

It’s not too late, and for my kids, It’s Volunteer time!

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