Matching Your Career Interest with a School

Matching Your Career Interest with a School

BIG Ideas:

  • Having a field of interest can make it easier to find the right school.
  • Other factors to consider when selecting a school are cost, location, size, and support services offered by the school.
  • Attending an on-campus tour and talking to current students and alumni can help you get a better sense of a school.

Two- or four-year school?

Community college or large university?

In-state or out-of-state location?

Let’s face it, when it comes to college, you’ve got plenty of options. That’s a good thing; it means there’s a school out there that’s a perfect fit for you. The challenge, though, is understanding what you want and need. Here are some important factors to help you figure that out:

  • Your career goals. Having a profession or field of study you’re interested in can make it easier to find the right school. Then, you can look for colleges with the programs, internships, and job placements you need to build your future career. If you don’t have a particular field of study, that’s okay, too.
  • School accreditation. College is a huge investment. So, you want to ensure you choose an accredited school, which means that it meets educational standards of quality.
  • Reputation. When recruiting college grads, employers often look at the reputation of the school students attend. So, if your school has an excellent reputation, you may have a better chance of getting a job after graduation. In addition, schools with solid reputations often have strong alumni networks, which could help you further your career.
  • Location. Do you want to attend a school across town, your state line, or the country? Do you envision going to school in or near a large city? Or in a rural area? Keep in mind that a school’s location can have a significant impact on your college experience, as well as the cost of college since the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition can be substantial. You will also have to factor in travel expenses to and from home if you attend a school far away. Find a Texas school near you.
  • The cost. College is many things, but it’s not inexpensive. So when you evaluate your college options, you’ll need to look at your financial situation and the cost of attendance for each school, which is the average annual cost of a school (including estimated tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and even some personal expenses).

    Keep in mind that financial aid and scholarships can help lower the amount you have to pay. You can determine the estimated net cost of a school, which is essentially the cost of attendance less estimated grants or scholarships. Each college or university should be able to provide this information to you. If you plan to attend a school in Texas, you can calculate the net cost of college for Texas institutions through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

  • School size. Do you want to attend a smaller school that offers smaller class sizes? Or a larger one that gives you access to more programs and activities? Knowing the size that fits your life can help you narrow your choices.
  • Support services. Another factor to consider when evaluating colleges is the services they offer to support your learning. For example, would you benefit from career support services, such as resume writing and career counseling? Or academic support like tutoring or disability services? You may also be interested in health-related services and facilities to help with your physical and mental well-being in school.

Finding your fit

Once you’ve considered these factors, you can narrow down your search to five schools and select the best one by:

  • Going on campus tours
  • Visiting school social media sites to see what others are saying and to ask questions
  • Talking to current students and alumni about their experiences during and after college

Need a little extra help making your decision? Use this Student Checklist from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to know what other questions to ask.

Brazos can make one choice easy – where to go to make college affordable

For more than 40 years, Brazos Higher Education has been helping make education more affordable for students and parents. As a Texas non-profit, we can offer you savings on a range of student loans and guidance to help you work toward the bright future you deserve. Contact us today!