As students work their way through higher education, they may find it difficult to settle on a path and program right for them. With many choices of career paths ranging from healthcare to engineering, some students may find the whole process overwhelming.
Deciding Day at Sinclair aims to solve this problem, offering students an avenue to the different programs offered.
The event is hard to miss, taking place in the library. Tables full of information are setup and separated by program, all surrounded by helpful faculty and spokespeople for the programs.
Students are immediately greeted by helpful and welcoming staff, who guide them to the first table where they can take what’s called a Career Pathways Assessment.
This test asks questions specific to the individual, such as whether they enjoy being a leader or where they like to work.
The outcome of this test helps students to determine what “Career Community” they would fit best with.
Career communities include business & IT, creative arts, health sciences, liberal arts & social sciences, law & public safety and STEM.
As stated in the pamphlet handed out at the event, career communities give students a chance to explore career options, meet other students interested in the same field, interact with faculty within a field and learn about the resources available at Sinclair.
Each table had a person knowledgeable in that specific career community to assist students plan the next steps in their career paths.
Every table had at-a-glance sheets, which showed the programs within the career community and the requirements, salary and a general idea of the type of work involved.
Each at-a-glance sheet had specific information about the career. For example, the liberal arts sheet had a column that detailed the type of admission of a program while the STEM sheet had a column specific to student certifications.
As well as at-a-glance sheets, some tables had small cards that detailed specific careers within the program. For example, the health sciences table had a nurse card that gave an outline of the responsibilities of nursing, as well as the average state wage and program options.
The tables also offer insight into the different extracurriculars a student can join within the program.
The creative arts table had information on activities such as ensembles and lesson opportunities.
A concern some students may hold about college level education is the amount of time it takes to get a degree. Programs where a student can obtain a degree in 15 months were mentioned at the event.
Some benefits of this program mentioned include a small class size, available financial aid, online advising appointments, priority registration and of course the ability to get a degree within 15 months as opposed to alternative methods that can take a great deal longer.
The Deciding Day event is an opportunity for students to gauge their future in education as well as the workplace.
The faculty and information at the event set out to make sure that students received a clear idea of the programs offered at Sinclair, as well as the opportunities and paths a student can take outside of the school.
Sean Kahle
Reporter