Below is an article written by an Oasis of Hope Dollars for Scholars volunteer on the personal impact of attending 2012 Annual Community Day workshop.
I was a volunteer for the Oasis of Hope Dollars for Scholar's Community Education Day and got the opportunity to listen to the Indiana Youth Institute presentation. About 20 high school juniors and seniors received instructions on how to use two IYI interactive websites; Drive of Your Life and A Trip to College. Although most of them knew what college or training school they wanted to attend, they were not sure about what classes they should take in order to meet their career goal. Others knew some information about their careers but were not sure what school would best fit their needs.
These are high school juniors and seniors, I thought to myself as I watch these bright faces realized that they are close to being adults, and that comes with more responsibility. What would happen if younger students started working on this computer program and mentally beginning setting a goal for the future?
I am a media specialist for the Anderson Community School Corporation. During the 2011-12 school year, I got the opportunity to introduce A Trip to College and Drive of Your Life to my fifth and sixth grade students
Drive of Your Life was their favorite program because it was similar to driving games that they play on the computer. The students start off answering questions about their interests and educational strengths and for every section completed (there are no right or wrong answers), they get to "trick out their ride" (add decorative items to their cars). I explained to them that as they seriously answered the questions, the computer will use this data to find jobs that they could excel in. Not everyone needs to go to a four- or two year college. Indiana has great training schools for everything from nursing to engineering. Joel S. was surprised to see that all of his skills and interest could lead to a career that could earn him a lot of money without being in school for a long time. Many students also discovered other career possibilities. Mary H. wants to be a dancer but she found out that her talents could lead to a career dancing on stage and screen or even teaching others to dance.
Once, they had a better understanding of what they could do, the next step was showing them a resource that would lead them to that goal. A Trip to College only focuses on Indiana colleges and universities, but my students discovered that they didn't need to go out of state to pursue the careers of their dreams. The website also explained that it was not so early for parents and students to start preparing for school. By the sixth grade, students should have already started to develop good study skills, began a college fund and look into extra curriculum activities to use on their college applications.
Macy G. was shocked to find that one year at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN., (tuition, lab fees, and room and board) was about $17,000. This figure does not include books, clothes and emergencies that may arise. By the time, she is ready to attend IU in six year, that total will increase by $5,100. What she, and so many other students didn't realized was that there is a program called the 21th Century Scholars that will pay for their tuition for four years. All that is required is that they sign a pledge and application before entering high school, maintain a 2.5 grade point average, stay out of trouble and attend an Indiana university, college or training school. The school's office had the scholarship application.
As an elementary and middle school librarian, I hear "Mrs. Sawyer, do you any books on dogs, cats, planes, dinosaurs, etc.?" at least 30 times a day. It is not that I don't want my students to ask questions (that is part of my job), but what I don't like is when you give them a book on what they asked for, they always say "that was not what I was looking for". We both go away thinking that the whole experience was a waste of time. That is one reason I start off each school year with my favorite saying, "Finding what you want is not about getting a right answer, it is asking the right question." If you ask me for a book on cars, I am going to ask you what kind of cars are you looking for (Honda, Mercedes Benz, and Formula One). Are you looking for a non-fiction book on how to build or repair a car? Maybe you are interested in a fiction book about flying cars that take the main character to the future. After they think about what they are really looking for, then I introduce them to two important library skills; how to search for a subject using the computerized card catalog and how to locate that item by using the Dewey Decimal System. Once they understand how to use these keys, ask the right questions anything they want is available to them.
When I was young, I was told that I was going to college. Unfortunately, my high school counselor and other advisors never told me about what I should study, which university would be the best place to pursue my interests and how to apply for financial aid, loans and scholarships that I was eligible to receive. Indiana students have two great websites that focuses on their dreams and personal goals. However, we need to help them focus by guiding them to the right resources.
