Registration
Students are choosing classes for next year; it’s registration time! As an elective teacher, I’m often asked for advice on choosing classes from many different areas. And, as much as I want to make sure my classes are filled, I want even more to make sure my classes have students that have the interest and aptitude for what I teach. And, of course, I want to make sure that students are choosing classes that will be beneficial to them.
Since career education is a key component of Technology Education, I usually start by asking students what kind of job they think they want to pursue and what their current interests are. Then I try to make sure they have some idea of what may really be involved in preparing for the career they have in mind. I try not to discourage a student from dreaming big, but I also want them to have a realistic picture of how difficult some choices may be. Architecture, for example, is a very competitive field. It requires an understanding of mathematics, physics, aesthetics, materials science, construction methods, psychology, and more.
Colleges of architecture are in the enviable position of having more students apply than they have room for, allowing them to choose the best and brightest for admission. Students seriously interested in architecture as a career need to rise to meet that challenge. Also, there are many really good careers related to design and construction besides architecture. Keep that goal in sight, but keep your options open.
But I didn’t intend to write so specifically about that one option. Our public schools are a place where students should be able to explore many interests. Most adults I know still don’t know what they want to do when (if) they grow up. And until we get out in the workplace, we have a pretty limited idea of what jobs are out there for us to choose from. Preparing for a career, or for college, while in high school is great for those students that have such a goal in mind and the determination to pursue it. For many of us, it’s still a time for figuring out who we are and what we want to do.
Since career education is a key component of Technology Education, I usually start by asking students what kind of job they think they want to pursue and what their current interests are. Then I try to make sure they have some idea of what may really be involved in preparing for the career they have in mind. I try not to discourage a student from dreaming big, but I also want them to have a realistic picture of how difficult some choices may be. Architecture, for example, is a very competitive field. It requires an understanding of mathematics, physics, aesthetics, materials science, construction methods, psychology, and more.
Colleges of architecture are in the enviable position of having more students apply than they have room for, allowing them to choose the best and brightest for admission. Students seriously interested in architecture as a career need to rise to meet that challenge. Also, there are many really good careers related to design and construction besides architecture. Keep that goal in sight, but keep your options open.
But I didn’t intend to write so specifically about that one option. Our public schools are a place where students should be able to explore many interests. Most adults I know still don’t know what they want to do when (if) they grow up. And until we get out in the workplace, we have a pretty limited idea of what jobs are out there for us to choose from. Preparing for a career, or for college, while in high school is great for those students that have such a goal in mind and the determination to pursue it. For many of us, it’s still a time for figuring out who we are and what we want to do.
