Choosing the college that will best suit your needs and career goals is an important decision. There are literally hundreds of schools competing for you tuition dollars these days, and all have something to offer. Not all can give you the tools you need to earn the degree you want though. Before deciding on a school to attend it is absolutely vital that you as a student take the time to consider the degree and career goals you have in mind. Thousands of young people enroll in schools every year with only the vaguest idea of the direction they are heading. With some colleges costing up to sixty thousand dollars or more yearly it is an expensive way to waste time. Without a clear goal in mind that is exactly what you are doing, wasting time, and money. For those of us going back to school after working for years on building a life and families, we can ill afford to waste either. We must be clear in our purpose and steadfast in our drive. This begins by choosing the school that meets our needs and provides the most efficient and beneficial curriculum to achieve the degree we desire.

Online Universities

Online courses are on the rise in America. Initially I looked into this route myself but changed my mind after speaking with several representatives from the five most popular online universities. I will not go into detail about my experiences as they might have been isolated. I will say that I was not happy with the way I was treated or the professionalism of the so called "Admissions Counselors" I spoke with. These students working part time to offset the cost of school paid little attention to my career interest and repeatedly tried to talk me into courses I neither liked or needed.

For those seeking technical degrees in computer sciences I could recommend online courses. However I feel I should point out that many of the technical programs offered online just do not build on the practical hands on experience needed by employers today. I have heard repeated stories from friends and families about degrees that have proven worthless in the real world. For those seeking to continue on into graduate schools after earning a bachelor's degree, bear in mind that most universities will not except credits from online universities. While I do recognize the convenience of taking classes from the comfort of you desk at home, I also recognize the old proverb of "you get what you pay for" coming into play here.

Most traditional Universities and state colleges are now offering online courses. These classes have the benefit of being supported by actual accredited teachers and staff near you. They also have the advantage of awarding actual credits towards a degree accepted by colleges and schools nationwide. When considering a school be it online or on-site, honesty goes along way. Look down the road at your post graduate plans. Does the degree you want have a corresponding career field that will be in demand four years from now? Does the program you're enrolling in offer actual hands on experience or even job-placement?

Is Your Degree Practical?

Many a college graduate has lamented his poor planning and degree choice after finding out he has spent four years and thousands of dollars on a degree that no one wants and has few job opportunities. Those seeking degrees in art and history be warned unless you're planning to teach you will have a hard time finding work. Those who do plan to teach you better enroll in some kind of active apprenticeship program in school. A degree is not a license to teach, nor does it mean that you have the skill and patience to deal with students on a daily basis. Education boards want to see that you have spent some hands-on time working in a classroom with students, before gambling on your career.

Not long ago a good friend of mine nearly had a breakdown after realizing that though she had a degree in religion and history she could not find a job anywhere. Though she wanted to teach she had not engaged in any programs offered by her university and after graduation had no experience in her field. She still works in the coffeehouse where we first met four years later, trying to repay $120,000 dollars in schools loans from The University of William and Mary. Does this sound familiar? There are hundreds of people all around who complain about worthless degrees and wasted years. I wonder if they ever stop to consider that their poor choices and planning are the true culprits in their disappointment?

Traditional Colleges and Universities

I am fortunate in that I live twenty minutes from the home campus of The University of Tennessee. I also live just a few miles from a nationally awarded state college and within a few hours drive of no less then four nationally recognized medical schools. For someone like myself wanting to go into the medical field it is an ideal situation. UT has literally hundreds of degree and program options available to prospective students. Looking through their catalog I have to say that there truly is a program for any career goal. All of which are backed up by huge resources and certified staff. The number one benefit I see in attending a traditional school is the resources available to the student.

In addition to the university nearby there are three state colleges all nationally certified and recognized. These cheaper alternatives offer just as many career field options as the University but at a more affordable option. Additionally all offer refresher courses and enrollment options geared towards adults returning to school. It has been 12 years since I took the SAT's and doing so now in light of all I have forgotten would not go well. To that end most state colleges offer the COMPASS test to adults that have been out of high school for three years or more. This is more of a placement examine and is neither pass or fail. What it does is ascertain what basic classes you will need to attend to bring you back to a college level before going on towards your degree.

For me this is an ideal opportunity to relearn the fundamentals I will need to pursue a career in medicine. This field is heavy in math and science and I have much to catch up on. I have enrolled in a program specifically designed to prepare me for obtaining a bachelor's degree in science and then onward towards med-school. After two years I plan to transfer to The University and enroll in their own pre-med program. I could actually complete my bachelor's at the state college before applying to med school as they offer the same courses of study and accreditation as any university. However UT has its own med-school and internship programs and I could continue on into graduate school on one campus.

What I have done is looked as far down the road as possible towards my career goals. The medical field, like others is a necessity and one that is growing rapidly. While I want to be a doctor, there are many different specialties available to me. The programs I have enrolled in offer the flexibility to change directions inside this career field to best meet future trends. In addition this educational field by its very design incorporates hands-on career training and placement nationwide. It offers positions with high pay potential and skills needed throughout the world. Through my careful efforts and inquiries I have learned that over the next ten years the demand for doctors and professionals with medical degrees is expected to grow rapidly as two generations of physicians and technicians retire.

Pick Your School

While the above example is for those seeking a medical degree it can apply to any field. Careers in engineering, architecture, science, law, and even food service are on the rise. When choosing a school to attend carefully examine the programs and opportunities offered by your school. Many colleges, and universities are well known for certain courses and while providing several degree options, usually specialize in one field or another. Duke, is known for their science and medical programs, Harvard for law, and medicine. Some schools churn out physicists, others artists and philosophers. While it is tempting to only consider the cost, you owe it to yourself to pick a school that best enables you to complete a degree in the field you choose.

You will find as you begin your education that for those willing to put in the effort, a way will be made. You might have aspirations towards a historic University but think it beyond your reach and income. On the outside this may first be true, but it does not mean its impossible. As I have said in a related article, many people have told me that my desire to become a doctor is a dream and nothing more. Even family members have told me it is a waste of time. However there is one group that has consistently encouraged me and filled me with hope, that is the admissions officials at 27 major Universities across the nation.

Over the past four weeks I have contacted many people from Stanford to UCLA. The response has been the same. All have said that there are endless ways to locate funding for their schools for adult students like myself. All offer tutoring programs to prepare non-traditional students for entrance exams and all report that they give preference to adult students based on maturity, determination, and life experience. The truth is adult students above the age of 28 are more likely to graduate and move onto graduate school and careers. It's a matter of purpose, drive, and clarity. Most adults enrolling in college today have clear and well defined goals. They are focused on their studies and willing to go the extra mile to complete their course, and relate well with teachers and professors many of which are their own age.

Look at your life, take stock of where you are, and where you want to be. Going back to school may not at first seem the best choice. In the end though it may be the thing that sets you free from you current limitations and a life filled with need and want. Chosen carefully a degree in a promising field can be the turning point in many lives. It's more then just a piece of paper, to employers it represents an investment in someone who values themselves and has shown a drive and dedication to achieving something in life. Many people enroll in colleges every year, but how many have the fortitude and drive to take it all the way to completion? Not as many as you might think. Investing in yourself is never a waste of time. In a study of the 500 most successful people in America you will find that many do not possess a college degree but all continued their educations throughout life. Do not sell yourself short.