Not Doing College
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Not Doing College
Dec 2001
My 18 year old daughter decided not to go to school this year,
2001-2002. She had been working, but quit about 2 months ago. She's
been looking for another job, but not very hard. We talked about
available opportunities for her, but, unfortunately, I really don't
know of any. Does anyone have or know about any resources for kids
who didn't choose college? Internships, volunteer opportunities,
community service, etc? I feel like she's floundering, that she
really would like to be engaged in something, but is not sure what.
I'd appreciate any help you could provide.
In response to opportunities for those who don't choose college, I suggest you check
out Americorps on the web. They have a broad range of community service and
leadership opportunities. In addition, I suggest checking out the site for Public
Allies. There are many rich opportunities for those who choose not to go to college
or to delay attending.
Good Luck!
Bella
Internships, volunteer opportunities, community service, etc?
There are a number of opportunities, I think hooking young adults up
with "Skills Classes" is one way to go-- for example in some junior
colleges they have other classes than just the typical "lecture
class" -- like music production, baking/chef school, working in a
pre-school, like Montessori, massage school, sewing, jewelry
making,sports, music, voice, dance lessons, etc.-- what are her
current interests? That way she is learning a skill that will enrich
her life, and perhaps get her going in a career or just "juice her
up" to try other things.
Nabolon Bakery (up above College at the intersection just 1 block
north of Ashby- internships - learn to bake)
Spun Sugar (classes making and decorating cakes and candies, etc.)
Stone Mountain Fabrics (Sewing classes)
Mechanics Class (Alameda Jr. College)
Sign Language (Vista)
Jewelry Making (Bead Shop on Shattuck near Virginia)
-- Linda
There is a website called successwithoutcollege.com. It was created by a
journalist whose son didn't want to go to college. She has also written a
book by the same name. You might find some ideas there for you daughter who
doesn't want to go to college right now. I heard her speak on NPR on the
"Work with Marty Nemko" program about alternatives to college.
Laura
There are community service oriented travel organizations for teens who
"take a year off" before college. These model themselves on the Peace Corps.
Try Interlocken, 603-478-3166, http://www.interlocken.org -- it's the only
one I know of , specifically, but there are probably more. If your teen is
just not ready for college, but does not mind school, The experiment in
International Living also offers international student exchanges, and in
Europe, there is an additional year of highschool. Further, by researching
ecology and wilderness on the web, you will find several service & field
research programs for older teens -- involving tracking endangered species,
worldwide; mapping tree loss, US, etc. Sorry, but I do not have the exact
URLs handy. Costs on these vary considerably. Some are free.
Does your daughter have a marketable trade? You don't have to have a degree
anymore to get a good job, but you do have to have a marketable trade.
Mine is graphic arts which I learned in high school through the ROP
(regional occupation program). I am still doing the same thing as I was
doing 25 years ago only with more complex equipment (which actually makes
the job easier - gotta love those computers).
Find out what she likes to do and maybe she could take a series of courses
that would make her more successful. That's not the same thing as a degree.
Someone once told me to get eighteen months of training (last couple of
months) for anything and that will go a long way towards getting a better
job. I've never stopped training since I started working (but no college).
Technology is always improving so there's always something new to master out
there. Look into the different trade schools. Perhaps she just hasn't
figured out what she wants to do with her life yet.
Marianne
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