College Planning & Preparation

POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS

Embracing the transitions of life, students benefit from experts in the field who can guide them as they discover and choose post-secondary options and career pathways. Listed below are helpful options that will support our students and our parents:  make less confusing at times.

INSTITUTIONS

Visit http://www.mississippi.edu/admissions/curriculum.asp for more information on Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning admissions requirements.

You may have a lot of questions when you and your child are considering college. Is a four-year degree the best choice? What about a community college or trade college? Learn about the three major options for getting a degree after high school.

Trade and Vocational Colleges

• Typically, two years or less
• Students may graduate with an associate’s degree
• Only offers career-specific courses and degrees, like automotive technology
• Students only have to study subjects that apply to their field of interest

Junior and Community Colleges

• Offer courses in liberal arts subjects as well as career-specific training, like hotel management or dental hygiene
• Provide courses to help improve academic skills
• Have open admission
• Are state-funded, so tuition tends to be lower
• Give two-year degrees, but credits can be transferred to four-year colleges
• Most students live off campus

Four-Year Colleges

• Includes liberal arts colleges and undergraduate universities
• Can be private or state-funded
• Schools vary in size, admissions criteria, programs, and cost
• Students can graduate with a bachelor’s degree
• Students may live on or off campus

Visit the following sites to help with College Searches:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/  

https://www.collegegreenlight.com/  

MILITARY

What is the military? In simple terms, the U.S. Armed Forces are made up of the five armed service branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. There are three general categories of military people: active duty (full-time soldiers and sailors), reserve & guard forces (usually work a civilian job, but can be called to full-time military duty), and veterans and retirees (past members of the military). And of course there are the millions of family members and friends of military members, past and present. But you're here to learn more about the military. There is much to learn! So first the basics. Exactly who is in charge?

The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief, who is responsible for all final decisions. The Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) has control over the military and each branch - except the Coast Guard, which is under the Dept. of Homeland Security. With over 2 million civilian and military employees, the DoD is the world's largest "company."

Each branch of the military has a unique mission within the overall mission of U.S. security and peace. For more information visit www.military.com or click on the links below.

https://www.goarmy.com

www.airforce.com/Careers/AimHigh

www.marines.com

www.navy.com

state.nationalguard.com/State/Mississippi

www.ang.af.mil

WORK FORCE

For more information on seeking employment after high school, click the links below:

www.mdes.ms.gov

www.elitestaffinginc.com

indeed.com/hire