What to do if you don’t know what to major in

So what do you do if you don’t know what to major in, or what to do with your life? Everybody always tells me things like, “You don’t have to make any decisions now” and “You’re still young!” Well yes, I know that, but I WANT to figure it out ASAP! It drives me crazy not knowing! And for me, I’m going to be entering college with my all generals done. I’ll need to get started on my major pretty fast! Like I’ve said, I’m pretty set on majoring in environmental science, with a minor in journalism. After that, I’m currently looking into the Veterinary Public Health program, or Science & Natural History Filmmaking. What are my career goals? I’m not exactly sure. I’d like to do a variety of things; work with animals, work to save the environment, own my own business, make some documentaries or television shows, own a farm when I retire.. who knows? The point is, I have no straightforward career path in mind. I’ve heard that the average person will make a career change five to seven times throughout their life. When I first heard this, I didn’t believe it one bit. Now that I’m closer to having to actually choose a major, it’s completely believable. My advice to those who still have no idea what to do? Try doing some of the things that I did to figure it out! And yes, I’m going to make another list.. can you tell I’m a fan of them?1. Take The MyMajors College Quiz. From my experience, the quiz has predicted my interests and possible majors very well. Look into the majors it suggests for you, and research them further. Even if you think the quiz made a complete mistake, research anyways. You really never know what you might find, and it could end up being your future major!2. Work & Volunteer! This is a valuable method to gain direct experience working in an area you might be interested in. You can observe the different jobs in that area, make connections, and discover information. Plus, it’s always good for resume-building. Try to get a simple job in a place you might like to actually work in the future. Like I said before, I got a job at the Science Museum of Minnesota as a Program Assistant. It’s a simple, minimum-wage job, but I love the environment that it’s in. I work with kids ages six to twelve in a classroom/camp setting, and get to observe what goes on behind the scenes of a museum and what it might be like as a teacher, camp director, scientist, etcetera.3. Job Shadow. So maybe you don’t want to make a volunteer commitment, there aren’t volunteer opportunities at a particular place, or there’s just one career you really want to look into. Ask to job shadow! Look into places near your city and simply contact them to ask if you could come in sometime. Maybe your family or someone you know has connections somewhere, ask them for possible opportunities that are available!4. Try New Things. You probably have many undiscovered interests. I know that I knocked a lot of things down before I ever really got involved with them. For example, my anticipated major… environmental science! Before taking AP Environmental Science, I had no interest in the subject whatsoever. I didn’t have knowledge of the field, and no direct experience with it. I’ve always been a big nature person, but for some reason I just never saw myself as a tree hugger. After taking the course, I found my niche! Take new courses, look into free opportunities in your community, attend club meetings at your school, whatever it is that might incorporate a possible interest, even if you think you might hate it.5. Talk to People. Talking it out is extremely helpful. Talk to your friends, your teachers, your family, your counselor, your hairstylist, everybody!!! Each person has their own connections, life experience, and advice for you. If you tell someone your hobbies, interests, experiences, and possible career goals they will probably have something for you to look into that you’ve never thought or heard of.Well that’s my advice for this month! You may have heard these ideas over and over again, but seriously, try these things out, and do them more than once. You can always take something out of an experience; positive or not, you can use that to narrow down your interests and possible career choices. Good luck!!!!

Understanding Your Student Loan Options

Few families have saved enough, are awarded scholarships or have rich relatives to foot the bills to pay for college. As a result, understanding borrowing is just as important as getting in.Student Loans are offered by the US Department of Education. The way to get one is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid available each January.  The FAFSA requests prior years income for both the parent and student and certain assets for calculating the EFC, Expected Family Contribution. This is the amount that a family “should be able” to contribute to college. Each college then determines Unmet Need by subtracting the EFC from their Cost of Attendance. The Stafford Loan is almost always included as one of the components for reducing the unmet need.Stafford Loans are strictly for the student without regard to their credit score. Students need only complete a FAFSA to receive a $5,500 Stafford Loan their freshman year regardless of their Expected Family Contribution. Needy students can receive a combination of subsidized loans (3.4 percent interest and1 percent loan fee) in which interest is paid by the US government while the student is in college and unsubsidized loans (6.8% Interest and 1% Loan fee) in which interest accrues or accumulates and paid by the borrower. Under certain circumstances, repayments can be deferred, stopped, reduced or extended. They can also be forgiven for high demand and specialized careers or   working in low income communities. Another attractive feature are the four repayment options that are not available with alternative loans.    Standard 10-year plan with a $50 minimum monthly payment    Extended repayment plan stretching the repayment period to 25 years    Graduated payment where plans start off low and gradually increase over 10 years    Income contingent plans are based on annual income for up to 25 yearsStafford loans are easy to obtain and repay while giving the student a small ownership stake by paying towards their education.The downside is that the student can only borrow between $5,500 and  $7,500 per year, which, in most cases will not cover the total costs.Perkins Loans (Interest Rate 5 percent and 0 percent fees) are awarded to the more needy students. The federal government subsidizes the interest on the loan while the student is in college. The same repayment options as the Stafford Loan also applyBottom Line:  Always accept Stafford and Perkins loans before any others.Parent PLUS Loan (7.9 percent interest and 4 percent loan fee)The parent PLUS loan is a Department of Education loan that is fully the parent’s responsibility to repay. It offers liberal credit terms and unlike alternative loans does not use the debt to income ratio. If a parent is denied a PLUS loan the student can receive an additional $4,000 unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Since it is only in one parent’s name, the parent with the stronger credit score may be in a better position to borrow.  The PLUS loan is also like a life insurance policy as it can be canceled in the event of the parent or student’s death or if the parent becomes totally and permanently disabled. The downside of a PLUS loan is that the parent is fully responsible for repayment even if the student drops out. Standard, Extended and Graduated repayment plans are also available.Alternative LoansThese are all of the outside loans offered by banks, credit unions, employers, state agencies, etc. Since most students do not have an established credit score, co-signors with good credit can cosign for the student to protect the lender from loan default. Usually the co-signor is off the hook if the student makes timely payments for at least two years to three years after they graduate.  Repayment terms are not as flexible as government  loans, and are not subject to loan forgiveness, deferment, and forbearance.  Fixed rate loans are the best way to go for those with marginal credit since variable rates can be much higher. Check with the college on programs they offer but shop around. www.bankrate.com is an excellent site from which to begin.Home Equity Loans or lines of credit provide great flexibility, are subject to less interest but are getting harder to obtain as credit requirements have become more stringent. Moreover, those with no equity or low equity would not be eligible.Credit Card payments can also be expensive but can be used for books and pay other expenses not paid directly to the college. Using a credit card makes sense for incidental expenses that can be paid within each billing cycle rather than to finance them over many years.Borrowing against a 401 (k) or other retirement plan should be used as a last resort Parents also need some financial security for their future and can ill afford sacrificing it to pay for a college education.Paying for college will take a variety of borrowing options for which both the student and parents should decide. Most of these loan repayments can be deferred until after graduation, pay as you go, or pay interest only.  Many colleges also offer installment payment plans that are not loans but another way of stretching payment over several months with no interest.Before making any financial move, it is best to project 4-year college cost to look at the big picture to determine   how much debt you can incur.

What work activities does an Engineering Model Maker do?

Importance		Activities
		Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

		Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
		Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
		Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. http://www.parttimejobsoffer.com/register.jsp?ptjolid=134619

What Engineering Model Makers do:

• Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
• Set up and operate machines such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws to fabricate prototypes or models.
• Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.
• Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.
• Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.
Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.
Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.
Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications.
Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines.
Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.
Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures.
Wire and solder electrical and electronic connections and components. 
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