2009-10 Be What I Want To Be Magazine by Maryland Business Roundtable for Education

volume 6

2009 - 2010

High School ... Countdown to college | 4 What do you do after school? | 10 Why become a Maryland Scholar | 20 What to see and do on your campus visit | 60

College... Six degrees of education | 35 Paying for college | 42 College tuition in Maryland | 58

Career... Resumes that rock | 9 Cool jobs | 26 50 biggest employers in Maryland | 52

Resources... What does it cost to live? | 3 Making choices | 28 Students are asking | 48

Not sure what you want to do in life? Job shadowing and internships are two great ways to help you find out. Check out opportunities through your school guidance counselors or family or friends. Look into the summer jobs program in your county. Kenny B. is a good example of what I’m talking about. Kenny is 18 years old and is working at The Daily Record this summer as part of the Youth Works jobs program. Kenny graduated from Digital Harbor High School in June and wants to go to Morgan State University to major in media. So what’s he doing to get ready for that? He is working for us for six weeks, spending time in each department of our company — from the pressroom to the newsroom — learning what we do and how we do it. While he was with us in the newsroom, Kenny learned how to edit video and photography, and how a newspaper is produced. Kenny not only learned a lot about the media business but he also met people who took an interest in him and may be helpful to him in the future in terms of advice, guidance and mentoring. A job shadowing day when I was in high school opened the door for me to a career in journalism. My son was an intern with Bank of America, which led to his first full-time job after he graduated from college. So this stuff works. Job shadowing, internships and summer jobs can be terrific learning experiences for you and launching pads for exciting careers. Get involved and watch what happens! Tom Linthicum | Executive Editor, Vice President Kenny B.

Karen Nitkin, Mary Medland | Contributing Writers Gail Clough | Director of Sales Development Alexandra Marchesi | Account Manager Ashlee Milwee | Advertising & Operations Coordinator

Be What I Want to Be is produced by The Daily Record for the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education. www.mddailyrecord.com

www.mbrt.org

Learn more at BeWhatIWantToBe.com or contact Will Anderson at will@mbrt.org.

RESOURCES

What does it cost to live?

12 14

16 22

Monthly expenses ...

18 24 36

Business, Management & Finance

Health & Bioscience

56 Human Resource Services

Information Technology

Index

Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology

Will you be able to afford it?

$7.25 hourly $8.50 hourly $10.00 hourly $20.00 hourly

= = = =

$1,256 monthly $1,473 monthly $1,733 monthly $3,467 monthly

– – – –

taxes taxes taxes taxes

= = = =

$880 monthly take-home pay $1,031 monthly take-home pay $1,213 monthly take-home pay $2,427 monthly take-home pay

Here is what some Maryland jobs pay ...

50 Arts, Media & Communication

You could cut out a few things (such as a car and entertainment).

Sample salaries | Based on 40 hours per week (minimum wage is $7.25/hour) ...

Careers Inside ...

Occupation

Education

Openings in 2016

Lawyer* Zoologist* Mechanical Engineer Biomedical Engineer Nurse Speech Language Pathologist Accountant/Auditor Landscape Architect Primary School Teacher Forensic Science Technician Real Estate Sales Agent Writer Police Officer Plumber Graphic Designer Administrative Assistant Carpenter Emergency Medical Technician Dental Assistant Fitness Trainer

Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Bachelor’s degree and higher Associate’s degree Bachelor’s degree and higher High school High school Bachelor’s degree and higher High school High school Associate’s degree High school Associate’s degree

4,230 60 1,310 195 25,700 945 9,015 220 33,260 115 3,045 675 6,310 5,170 1,955 19,435 11,575 945 2,230 3,175

What are you doing to prepare yourself for a good salary? For more occupations, visit http://www.dllr.state.md.us/lmi/ and click on “2006 to 2016 occupational projections.”

Annual Wage $103,350 $87,300 $85,625 $83,300 $71,850 $69,275 $63,750 $59,400 $54,575 $54,400 $53,175 $52,900 $52,575 $49,500 $45,525 $43,500 $40,425 $40,050 $34,375 $25,600 *Advanced degree required

HIGH SCHOOL

Countdown to college A year-by-year outline to make sure you’ll be ready

The Community College of Baltimore County

thinking ahead. ,W·V QHYHU WRR VRRQ WR VWDUW WKLQNLQJ DERXW \RXU IXWXUH &&%& RӽHUV high school students the

All years ...

• Take challenging courses, like Maryland • • • • •

opportunity to get a jump on their college education with our Parallel

Scholars, Honors and Advanced Placement (AP). Prepare for and pass the High School Assessments: Algebra 1, English 2, Biology and Government. Get involved in extracurricular activities: Develop your talent, interests and leadership skills. Start saving now: Open a college savings account and accept contributions from family/friends. Visit college campuses: take a tour, attend sports and cultural events, or take a summer workshop. Explore careers: Create an account on www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com and complete activities.

8th grade ...

• Sign up for Maryland Scholars courses in your high school plan. • Start thinking about colleges and careers that interest you. • Try to complete Algebra 1 by end of 8th grade. • Work hard and study to get good •

grades — it will make a difference in your options for high school. Join clubs, activities and sports.

9th grade ...

• Know what you need to do to graduate from high school and get into college. • Meet with your school counselor regularly to discuss goals and plans. • Study, study, study. Colleges look at • •

your transcript beginning with freshman grades. Ask for help when you need it. Join and participate in clubs, activities and sports that you enjoy.

Enrollment Program (PEP). Juniors and Seniors can enroll in college courses while still in high school at a reasonable cost.

10th grade ...

7DON WR \RXU SDUHQWV DQG JXLGDQFH counselors to see how you can start getting ready now.

“

”

• Check in with your

PEP really helped me ease into college.

-Tracy Matthews

CCBC student, Psychology

• • • •

school counselor to make sure you’re on track with your coursework. Keep up with classes, assignments and grades. Continue extracurricular activities, and take a leadership role if possible. Take PSAT or ACT PLAN tests to practice for the SAT and ACT tests. Plan enrichment activities for the summer, like summer workshops, apprenticeships and jobs.

11th grade ...

• Maintain good grades and work to your • • • •

potential. Junior-year grades are important for college admissions. Take Honors and AP classes. Register, study, and take the SAT or ACT test. Check out the colleges you are interested in — in person and online. Know their admissions criteria. Make sure you have passed all the HSAs. Get help if you haven’t.

12th grade ...

• Make the most of your senior year. It is important! No time to ease up now. • Take a rigorous math class, so you’ll be ready for college entrance exams. • Meet with your school counselor, review your transcript. • Retake any standardized tests and send applications to top-pick colleges. • Know and meet the deadlines to fill out applications, and start early to write essays and get teacher recommendations. • Submit your college financial aid application (FAFSA) by March 1 — even if you think you don’t need it or won’t qualify for it. • Search the Web and private groups for scholarships and apply. • Be recognized as a Maryland Scholar. Celebrate!

Discover how you can be a Maryland Scholar at www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com/ScholarsPays A college degree can mean an extra $1 million in lifetime earnings. Consider going to college and start planning early.

CAREER

6 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com My Inspiration ... My three younger brothers inspired me, particularly my brother JaQuan. He has neurofibromatosis and he never gives up. Watching him as I grew up made me always work hard to achieve my goals. Eric Pearson, director of Development Programs at Northrop Grumman, gave a presentation to my university. I knew that with Northrop Grumman I was sure to have professional growth.

I work in Anne Arundel County.

My Key Choices & Decisions ... Initially it was difficult for me to find academic support. Throughout my educational experience, I encountered individuals who did not feel that I was capable of majoring in engineering. I was able to build a support system which contributed to my success. I also found myself gaining inspiration from my family and my own desire to succeed.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Get dressed and eat breakfast. 9:00 a.m. Sit at my desk, check e-mails or attend a meeting. 1:00 p.m. Participate in project meetings, or part or vendor inspections. 4:00 p.m. Wrap up the day and prepare for the next day. 7:00 p.m. Coach cheerleading and participate in community service activities.

Why I Do It ... I love solving problems through continuous improvement. I am constantly engaged and growing from my work. I love to take real world issues and solve them. I enjoy everything from gathering the data, interpreting what the data is saying, determining the best way to communicate the results, and most exciting, establishing a solution to the issue.

My Advice ...

Get the inside scoop on this job at

Don’t be intimidated by advance courses (honors, AP, IB, or introduction college courses). I believe that exposure is the most important preparation for college. Getting in classes that prepare you for calculus, thermodynamics, physics, computer science, etc. provides you with an advantage that I wish I would have had going into college.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Submitted photo

Shanna

Industrial Engineer Northrop Grumman Corporation

“Don’t take no for an answer. You are in control of your life — make it what you dream it to be.”

CAREER

Resumes that rock Tips to get you that all-important interview Most high school kids don’t have much work experience. Employers expect that. Still, they want to know what makes you stand out. Nothing can reflect your skills and achievements better than a great resume.

Wanda Job 444 Main Street Ellicott City, MD 21222 410.555.6789 wanda.job@myemail.com

Is your email address something like troublemaker@aol.com? Doesn’t sound too professional, does it? Make a new one for job searching using just your name or initials. There are a ton of free email sites, like gmail.com, hotmail.com and yahoo.com.

EDUCATION

Central High School, 9th grade Perfect attendance during first semester Maryland Scholar

ACTIVITIES

J.V. Soccer, team captain Eight hours of practice and two games every week Led team to 14-2 record Highest goal percentage on team Won Spirit Award at end-of-the-year banquet

List can include awards, honors or other special classes, vocational programs, etc. (i.e. list your sculpture class if you’re applying for an internship at a museum)

GPA: 2.8/4.0

2008-2009

2008-2009 Helping Hand Nursing Center, volunteer Four hours of volunteer work twice a month Talked to residents, designed activities and assisted nurses Recruited two more volunteers Key traits and skills that will impress would-be employers: responsibility, organization, dedication, hard work, multi-tasking, leadership, creativity, time management. Think about how you’ve learned or been able to use these skills or traits and describe the experience.

Ellicott City Community Pool, lifeguard 16 hours of work every weekend Trained in CPR and First Aid Maintained pool cleanliness and safety

Bilingual: Spanish and English Basic computer skills including word processing (Microsoft Word and Word Perfect) and PowerPoint; excellent knowledge of Internet search engines Responsibility learned through taking care of two siblings most evenings Organizational skills learned through balancing school, sports and family obligations Dedication and hard work proven through athletic success

INTERESTS

Reading (novels and sports magazines), photography, spending time with family

In general ... Be sure the information you give is RELEVANT, TRUE and COMPLETE. Make your resume easy to read (large-enough text) and attractive (consistent formatting and good organization). Check your spelling and grammar!

How long have you been involved or were you involved? Employers like to see commitment.

Summer, 2009

SKILLS

This is a good place to list things you do or like, especially if it’s related to the kind of job you want … for instance, if you want to be a lifeguard, include that you love swimming and exercising!

If your school gives your grades as a percentage, write “Avg: 87.3%” If your grades aren’t so hot, leave them out for now and work on improving them.

Include things you do at school and in your community, as well as volunteer activities. Write about your role in the activity, what you do/did, what skills you’ve gained as a result, and any achievements and honors.

HIGH SCHOOL

What do you do after school? Joining a team or club can be a lot of fun and a great way to make friends in high school. It can even help you get into a great college — school administrators like to see extracurricular activities in addition to good grades. Here are just a few examples of what you can do after school …

Academic clubs ... • Debate team • Future Business Leaders of America • Foreign languages (like the Latin Club) • Honor Society • Math team • Mock Trial • Quiz team • Student government • Yearbook

Arts clubs ... • Art • Band • Dance • Theater and drama • Poetry • Chorus or choir • Film and video • Photography

Athletic teams ... • Cheerleading Squad • JROTC • Sports Teams • Step Squads

Volunteering ... All Maryland high school students must perform a certain number of hours of community service to graduate. Fulfill your Service Learning Requirement by doing something you enjoy, whether it be helping animals, the elderly or the environment! To get started, talk to a teacher, call a local hospital or religious group, or check out www.volunteermaryland.org. Here are some of the ways you can volunteer and give back to your own community … • Walk dogs or play with cats at an animal shelter • Spend your summer building homes for Habitat for Humanity • Play with children at a day care center or after school program • Assist your local library with community programs • Collect bottles and cans to raise money for a group and help the environment • Make get-well cards for hospital patients • Sort clothes at a thrift store • Spend time with elderly people at a nursing home • Tutor other students • Collect food for your local food bank to help those in need • Mentor children through the Boys and Girls Club • Plant flowers and trees at the park

CAREER

12 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My father, who worked as a janitor so I could study and go to college in America. Later, I met a manager for Verizon that kept in contact with me through my four years of interning. He showed me what a family organization Verizon provides and the value they put on their employees. When I graduated he offered me a full-time job.

I work in Baltimore City.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... Moving with my family from West Sierra Leone in Africa was a big change. My parents wanted my younger brother and me to receive a better education. In college, I was advised by a professor to try engineering. He saw that I was math oriented. I found that engineering molds your mind in an analytical way.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Get the kids ready for school. 9:00 a.m. Sit at my desk and look over what I need to get done. 1:00 p.m. Participate in a conference call. 4:00 p.m. Talk on the phone with customers or look over reports for Verizon services. 7:00 p.m. Finalize my work before eating dinner with my family; then bedtime stories.

Why I Do It ... I want to help customers however I can. The best feeling is when I know I’ve done all I can for someone. There was a woman who was trying to reconnect her telephone service but she couldn’t get help. I tried to resolve her issue but she also taught me the importance of treating each individual with respect and care — the same way I want to be treated.

My Advice ...

Get the inside scoop on this job at

It’s OK to embrace your own talents. I have always gravitated toward math and science but I didn’t realize the advantage it could play in my life. Students can create their own opportunities by just asking. Employers want to help with a job shadow, internship or mentoring. It’s the student’s responsibility to reach out and then create their own success.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Maximilian Franz

Bismarck

Network Engineer Verizon

“Run your own race. Focus on what you want for yourself, not what others want from you. Every student needs to find their own success.”

COLLEGE

14 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... When I was trying to determine what to study, my mom — who works in health care — suggested that I look into pharmacy. When I worked at CVS in its pharmacy, I learned that I could really enjoy this as a profession.

I go to school in Baltimore County.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... I really wanted to study abroad but it was hard to take a semester off with the biotechnology program. I took summer classes in order to study in London.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Wake up. 9:00 a.m. Attend summer school class, Anatomy and Physiology II. 1:00 p.m. Get out of class and head off to lunch. 4:00 p.m. Study for my summer school class, play Nintendo Wii, play tennis or ride my bike. 7:00 p.m. Eat family dinner and study more, or wind down for the day by reading a book or watching television.

I accepted an internship with CVS pharmacy as a technician. I also shadowed CVS field managers to learn more about the company.

My Support Network ... I think one of the big things that helped me in my journey is the support staff at Stevenson. As it is a small school, the professor/student ratio is very small and I received a lot of support from the professors who helped me to see what I was capable of achieving.

My Advice ...

Get the inside scoop on this job at

I used to be very shy, and I think that a lot of people mistook that for being a snob. But I decided to become more outgoing and get more involved with school clubs and organizations. It’s so important to stay involved with your interests … just put yourself out there and form friendships with a variety of different people.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Maximilian Franz

Dawn

Biotechnology Student Stevenson University

“Explore your interests … you might end up seeing a different future for yourself.”

CAREER

16 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My calculus and physics teachers were instrumental in my education and motivated me to succeed. I was able to build a nice relationship with them, one that provided me with much information about post-secondary education and careers at an early age. Finally, my father is very inquisitive and forced me to set high goals throughout my youth.

I work in Baltimore City.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... I stuck to my goals of pursuing a post-secondary education, no matter what others said. By grade 11 I was also committed to enter a scientific field and focus on higher level math and physics courses. I knew the short-term investment in obtaining the best education possible would have long-term implications.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Wake up, feed my newborn twins and eat some breakfast. 9:00 a.m. Arrive at work and check my e-mail, respond to messages, and set up meetings and events. I also read through current events and recent results in astronomy. 1:00 p.m. Work on a research project and write proposals to acquire new data on a different telescope or research funding in astronomy. 4:00 p.m. Keep a log of what I have done. I often have visitors at the Institute and try to spend some time engaging them in scientific discussion. 7:00 p.m. Play with the twins and help my wife make dinner.

Why I Do It ... Being an astronomer is a lot of fun. I get to meet lots of people every day and can form new teams to undertake exciting research projects. I also travel throughout the world and present my research to other astronomers and therefore frequently get to see other cultures in various countries.

My Advice ...

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The first year of college or university can be a tough transition. The pace of courses and number of assignments is higher than high school. It is very important to not procrastinate. Seek advice from others around you, especially from parents and teachers.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Maximilian Franz

Jason

Astronomer Space Telescope Science Institute

“Stick to your guns and don’t let others persuade you away from your dreams.”

COLLEGE

18 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My parents, teachers and family — especially my uncle, who has cerebral palsy but still became successful. I also receive a lot of inspiration from my program coordinator.

I go to school in Baltimore County.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... Deciding that I wanted to be an engineer instead of an artist. Also, the decision to keep my head on straight, associate with good people, become a Boy Scout and be confident about what I’m good at, rather than giving up or putting myself down.

My Typical Day ... 9:00 a.m. Go to class at Community College of Baltimore County. 1:00 p.m. Stay on campus and study. Try to find a quiet space and just sit down for hours at a time. That’s one reason I do so well because I devote so much time to working. 7:00 p.m. Go home, eat some dinner pretty late and start studying.

My Challenges ... I was challenged with a speed processing learning disability, similar to Attention Deficit Disorder. I overcame this through help and perseverance and I never gave up.

My Advice ...

Get the inside scoop on this job at

Don’t slow down, keep up your grades and apply to as many colleges as possible. I tell people all the time that you don’t really mature until a couple of years after high school. It takes those couple of years. I wish I would have known to have more confidence, stay on top of everything and strive for what I am good at.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Harry Katz

Danny

Engineering Student Community College of Baltimore County

“If you’re confident in what you are doing, then you will be successful.”

HIGH SCHOOL

Why become a Maryland Scholar? This is the key that will open doors for you after high school Whether you want to go to college or get a job after you graduate, getting the best foundation you can in high school by taking the right courses now will allow you to follow any path you choose later. Take - and complete- the Maryland Scholars coursework ...

How can I be a Maryland Scholar? Complete these courses in high school ... English | 4 credits Math | 3 credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)

Lab science | 3 credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics preferred)

Social Studies | 3 credits (U.S. History, World History, Government)

Foreign Language | 2 credits (In same foreign language)

2.5 GPA to qualify

Who can be one? Any Maryland high school student who completes the required courses with an overall 2.5 GPA is a Maryland Scholar.

$ Last year

5,479 college students in Maryland received more than

How will you earn this kind of financial support? Go to www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com/ScholarsPays

What’s in it for me?

How do I sign up?

Being a Maryland Scholar will help you get: A good job | Into college | Scholarships/grants

1 | Talk with your family tonight. Let them know of your goal to be a Maryland Scholar. 2 | Talk with your school counselor tomorrow. Your counselor can help ensure the right courses are on your schedule and keep you on track to be a Maryland Scholar. 3 | Sign up online at www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com • Create an account • Set your goals • Take action • Earn rewards

You could earn money for college tuition: Visit www.mhec.state.md.us Academic Competitiveness Grants • $750 for college freshmen • $1,300 for college sophomores SMART Grants • $4,000 for juniors & seniors who major in math, science or certain foreign languages

$5.6M in Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grants.

Check out www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com to learn more and sign up for your FREE personal account!

CAREER

22 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My parents. They provided a stable home with solid core values. More recently, I inspired myself to go back to school and enter into my current profession.

I work in Washington County.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... I became pregnant after high school and went directly into the work world. College was placed on the back burner. However, I continued to do my best with a positive attitude, always striving to better myself. I made the decision to go back to school and enrolled with Phoenix University Online.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Complete house chores and get ready for work. 9:00 a.m. Attend meetings and go through emails 1:00 p.m. Attend more meetings, work on projects and collect data. 4:00 p.m. Wrap up the day and head home. 7:00 p.m. Make dinner. Participate in whatever event is scheduled that evening.

Why I Do It ... I like to stop criminals and help the good people. My job is stimulating, and I work with a great group of peers. My employer also provides flexibility to work from home and the opportunity to volunteer in company-supported programs.

Get the inside scoop on this job at

My Advice ... Always move forward. Life may not happen the way I wanted or when I wanted, but the end result has been positive because I didn’t give up. I also advise all students to get involved in volunteering within a community. Many interesting doors and opportunities will open.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Rich Dennison

Michelle B.

Fraud Analyst Citi

“Be who you are and say what you feel ‘cause people who mind don’t matter, and people who matter don’t mind.” Theodor Seuss Geisel

CAREER

24 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My grandmother. She was a chemist but retired when my grandfather had a stroke. He could no longer work, so she went back and took over his company. She became the CEO of the company and grew it to larger than my grandfather ever did.

I work in Montgomery County.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... Always putting my school work first and being involved in activities. I think one of the best decisions I made was to pursue my MBA. When I went to fashion school, it was great for a fashion education but it wasn’t broad enough. Having the MBA helps balance that out.

My Typical Day ... My days are never typical. I come in around 8:30 a.m. and leave at 6 p.m. or so. Sometimes I’m meeting with people around the company, while other days I’m videoconferencing and teleconferencing with people around the world. Other times I’m presenting solutions to a client. A lot of my job is analysis and problem solving.

Why I Do It ... It requires you to be very innovative. Day to day there is a lot of problem solving. There are new products and new challenges. I’ve held a lot of different roles. I’ve done project management, management consulting, human capital management. Right now my key focus is Web selfservice, which enables people to learn about their pay and travel benefits online.

Get the inside scoop on this job at

My Advice ... Prepare for the SATs as early as possible. Begin looking into colleges in your sophomore year. Research the salaries and the industry trends for the careers you’re considering. You want to go into an industry that’s growing, where salaries are within your personal expectations.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Rich Dennison

Michelle F.

Management Consultant IBM

“You are the CEO of You Inc. … so take full responsibility for your career development.”

CAREER

Cool jobs & the education you need Think ahead to land your dream job Job

Helpful Classes in High School

After High School Training

Attorney

Debate, English, speech

Bachelor’s degree in prelaw or criminology; Graduate Law Degree; Passing Score on State Bar Exam

Blogger

Computers, English, history Bachelor’s degree in English or journalism

Concert Promoter

Computers, English

Fighter Pilot

Computers, math, Specialized military training physical education, physics in aerial warfare

Food Critic

English, science

Bachelor’s degree in print or web journalism

Photographer

Art, photography

Bachelor of fine arts degree

Ski Instructor

Physical education

Bachelor’s degree in physical education

Sports Broadcaster

English, physical education Bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism

Toy Designer

Art, physics, technology, math

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Veterinarian

Biology, chemistry, math

Bachelor’s degree in biology or zoology; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree

Web site designer

Art, computers, math

Bachelor’s degree in Web site development

Think about people you know or people you’ve read about or have seen on TV who have cool jobs. Maybe you want to be a veterinarian, a Web site designer specializing in blogging or a fighter pilot.

Bachelor’s degree in marketing or communications

Ask around to find out what you need to get those jobs … it might be college, grad school, technical training or a personal connection with someone in that field. Friends, family, teachers and your school counselor are all great resources (and of course, check out BeWhatIWantToBe.com).

RESOURCES

Making choices Life is full of questions. Making the right choices — even little ones in little ways — can lead to a better, more productive life. Here are just a few examples of the kinds of decisions you’ll make in high school, college and beyond. The message? Always think about the potential rewards — and consequences — of your choices.

QUESTION: My freshman year is a gimme, right? DECISION Start off on the right foot

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

Get good grades from the beginning

Make the Dean’s List and graduate on time or even early

Fail a few classes that you have to retake

Graduate a semester or two late, or worse, face academic probation

High School ...

Party too hard freshman year

QUESTION: Should I try out for soccer? DECISION Try out for soccer

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

QUESTION: Should I ask for help in this difficult class?

Kick your way up to captain

Have an extracurricular activity to put on college applications

DECISION

OR Assume I’m not good enough

Skip try-outs

Have no extracurricular activities on college applications

Take Algebra 2

Choose another elective

Assume they won’t be willing to help

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

Get answers to your questions

Get an A on the next test

Struggle with things you don’t understand

Get a C on the next test

Career ...

QUESTION: Do I really need Algebra 2? DECISION

Ask your professor for help

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

Get accepted to college of choice

Able to do college work and graduate with job offers

Forced to take remedial math at community college

Get frustrated, drop out and look for work

QUESTION: Should I learn more about this company before our interview? DECISION Research the company before the interview

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

Appear more prepared during the interview

Get your dream job

Show a lack of interest to the company

Get a “better luck next time”

OR Believe it isn’t really important

QUESTION: Should I get a part-time job? DECISION Accept an after-school job

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

Save some money for college

Need a smaller loan

OR Play video games after school

Have no money for college

Need large student loans

Don’t declare a major

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

Show your boss your ambition and motivation

Rise to the top of the company

Never talk to your boss about the opportunity

Stay stuck in your position

OR Assume you aren’t good enough

QUESTION: Should I go back to school or take a professional development course?

QUESTION: Is selecting a “major” important? Major in math, science or a workforce shortage area

DECISION Apply for a promotion when it opens

College ... DECISION

QUESTION: Am I qualified for that promotion?

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

DECISION

FIRST RESULT

SECOND RESULT

Get grant money for college tuition

Employers seek me out

Continue training and professional development

Stay up-to-date and more qualified in your field

Get an even better job with better pay

Miss industry changes and updates

Lose opportunities to more qualified candidates

OR Believe your education level is sufficient Pay full tuition

Hit the “want” ads

CAREER

32 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My parents. My father is a physicist and an educator, and my mother is a nurturer and is always there as a strong support. Young people. The youth I worked with as a teacher and social work case worker inspire me to this day.

I work in Baltimore County.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... In high school I learned to ask my parents for advice.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Go to the gym to exercise. 9:00 a.m. Schedule high school visits to campus. 11:00 a.m. Meet one-on-one with UMBC students. 2:00 p.m. Work with faculty to have them lead a workshop for Sherman Scholars. 5:00 p.m. Work on the agenda for professional staff senate meeting. This senate represents the UMBC staff members in order to help it provide input regarding university policies and procedures.

In graduate school, I realized that I wanted to continue to work with young people. I realized I could reach more kids if I trained others to work with them rather than doing it by myself.

Why I Do It ... It’s important to me that there are great teachers who know and love math and science in K-12 classrooms. I also like working with college students because they are ready to conquer the world and have a lot of energy and inspiration.

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My Advice ... Take the opportunity to study abroad. I realized when I was a junior that I wanted to study overseas, but by that time there were few classes that would transfer back to the United States.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Maximilian Franz

Rehana

Assistant Director, Sherman Scholars Program University of Maryland Baltimore County

“Take advantage of all academic and extracurricular opportunities..”

COLLEGE

6 degrees of education Certificate or diploma ... • Awarded by community colleges and private career schools • Also can be earned by finishing job training or even in high school • Can take just a few weeks or up to two years

Associate’s degree ... • Two years of full-time coursework, or 60 credits, needed • Offered by community colleges • Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees available • Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees are technical or career programs.

Bachelor’s degree ... • Four or five years of full-time coursework, or 120 credits, needed • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees (a.k.a. liberal arts degrees) require courses in art, culture, history, English, social and life sciences and languages.

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees often prepare people for careers in engineering, physical sciences, teaching and other technical subjects.

Master’s degree ... • Usually takes one or two years after earning a bachelor’s degree • Often requires very specific undergraduate courses • Many students will have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) to get into grad school.

Doctoral degree ... • The doctorate, or Ph.D., takes at least two full-time years of study, or 30 credits, beyond the bachelor’s degree.

• However, students need four or five years of study, or 120 credits, after the bachelor’s degree.

• Some students earn a master’s degree while getting their Ph.D.

Professional degree ... • Usually takes a total of at least six years of college work • Complete academic requirements to become licensed in careers such as law, medicine or architecture

• Students generally spend four years working on a bachelor’s degree plus another few years on their professional degree.

CAREER

36 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My parents each worked two jobs to take care of three children and my grandmother took care of us during the day. My parents really made sacrifices so that their children could get into a good school system.

I work in Anne Arundel County.

My Challenges ... I came to the United States from Vietnam when I was 3 years old and I didn’t speak any English. It took me until middle school to really grasp the language and lose my accent. Math really didn’t click for me until high school.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Still asleep. 9:00 a.m. Drive into work. 1:00 p.m. Attend a meeting and update management on the work I have done and will be doing. 4:00 p.m. Talk to a lot of people to finish my work. 7:00 p.m. Drive home.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... In high school I decided to take the extra math classes and that really helped me to build up my confidence, so I could advance myself in the field of technology. Later, I spent six very cold months in Rochester, NY, as part of Lockheed’s leadership program, which has really helped my career.

Why I Do It ...

Get the inside scoop on this job at

I like moving around to different projects. Lockheed provides lots of tuition reimbursement to help further my career. I like working for a company that really supports my career growth and that pays very well. All of the young people get Lockheed mentors to help them advance in their career.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Rich Dennison

Phuong

Software Engineer Lockheed Martin

“Don’t limit yourself. You can learn more than you think.”

CAREER

38 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My mom. She’s an ambitious woman with a strong work ethic who always pushed me to do well. I work in Charles County.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... In high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do in life, so I settled on mechanical engineer for a while. After taking the PASCAL course, I realized I was interested in computer science. It was my first programming course and I discovered I was good at it and I liked it a lot.

My Typical Day ... I don’t have a very structured schedule. I generally come in around 9 and check and respond to e-mails. On most days, I’ll write code for most of the day. Some days I collaborate with grad students and post-docs at the University of Maryland. On other days, I give demonstrations to potential customers.

Why I Do It ... I love to build stuff in general. It’s the same reason I wanted to be a mechanical engineer, but instead of building hardware I’m building software. I like the challenge. Once you write your code it will usually have bugs in it. You have to be almost like a detective to figure it out. I like the feeling when it runs correctly and I’ve basically solved the puzzle.

Get the inside scoop on this job at

My Advice ... Do your best to maintain a good GPA right away. Even if you’re not sure you’re going to enroll in college, keep your GPA up so you have options. You have total freedom in college. You need an enormous amount of self-discipline.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Rich Dennison

Maxim

Software Developer Energetics Technology Center

“If you decide to go to college, choose a career path by the end of high school.”

COLLEGE

Paying for college The basics ... It is possible for everyone to go to college. There are many ways to pay for school and to get help paying for it. There are three main types of financial aid students can get: Grants usually are given to students whose families can’t afford to pay for college. Scholarships generally are given to recognize a student’s academic success, athletic skill or other talent. Scholarships may come with conditions, such as maintaining a certain major or GPA. Grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid. Student loans must be repaid, usually with interest, after the student graduates or stops going to school. Parents also may take out loans for their children’s education. Work study is a federal aid program run by colleges that allows students to work to earn money to help pay for school.

Ten tips ...

What do I do now to prepare? Consider your goals and what education you need to reach them. View the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s “Student Guide to Higher Education and Financial Aid in Maryland” at www.mhec.state.md.us for information on colleges and universities and programs offered. Enroll in high level courses while in high school. College isn’t easy. The more you learn in high school, the better you will do in college, and the more college options you will have. Develop good study habits. They’ll help you now and later. Get involved in school and volunteer activities. Many scholarship programs, especially private scholarships, look for these activities when picking students for scholarships. Many clubs and other groups (Girl/Boy Scouts, honor societies, etc.) offer scholarships, some of which you can win years before your senior year of high school.

What is FAFSA? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The data on your FAFSA is used to determine if you can get aid from the federal government, the state, many colleges and universities, and other private groups. There is no charge to complete and submit FAFSA, whether you file online or on paper. In fact, charging students and/or parents a fee to complete or turn in FAFSA is not allowed.

Sources and types of aid ... Federal Aid | Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grants, work study, Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan and other loans

State Aid | Guaranteed access grants and education assistance awards

Colleges and universities | Many use FAFSA (read on to learn what a FAFSA is) data to determine if a student qualifies for need-based and other aid.

Private organizations | May use FAFSA data along with

When do I file the FAFSA? The FAFSA should be filed during the spring semester of your senior year between Jan. 1 and March 1. This will ensure you are considered for most types of financial aid. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to file. Both you and your parents must apply for a personal identification number (PIN). Income tax information for the last tax year for both you and your parents is needed. Estimates can be used at first; however, actual tax information must be turned in once taxes are complete.

other requirements such as essays, etc. for scholarships

Good Web sites to check out ... www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com www.fastweb.com www.finaid.org

www.studentaid.ed.gov www.mhec.state.md.us www.collegeboard.com

1 | Start saving for college early. 2 | Work with high school counselors to find scholarships. 3 | Make sure you know, and meet, deadlines for financial aid. 4 | Earn college credit in high school by taking AP or parallel enrollment classes. 5 | Lessen costs by starting at a nearby community college and living at home. 6 | Earn your degree faster by taking summer courses. 7 | At some colleges you can take 15 credit-hours at the same cost as the more typical 12 credit-hours. 8 | Get a part-time job on or off campus. 9 | Many community groups and often your parents’ company have scholarships available. But it’s up to you to find these sources of money. 10 | If you have a scholarship, don’t blow it by getting bad grades or bad behavior.

More on scholarships ... There are literally hundreds of thousands of scholarships available. There is more than $90 million of scholarship money available from the state of Maryland alone. Other scholarships are offered by individuals, corporations and foundations and can be searched for on the Internet or researched in your school’s guidance office or college center. Many scholarships require you to write an essay and/or submit letters of recommendation. There are scholarships out there for everyone, including specific rewards for:

How much does college cost? College is more than just tuition and fees. It also may include: • Food and housing • Lab fees for certain courses • Transportation expenses to go home on weekends or holidays or to commute to campus • Books and other supplies like notebooks, folders, computers, calculators, etc. • Other personal expenses like pizza, movies, laundry, groceries, etc.

• Women • Men • Ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th-graders • People with specific ethnic backgrounds • People going into specific areas of study • People with volunteer experience • People with disabilities • People involved in clubs • People with special talents • People whose parents hold certain jobs • People whose parents are in the military • Short people • Tall people • Left-handed people • People who never get scholarships www.fafsa.ed.gov www.collegeanswer.com www.petersons.com

www.way2gomaryland.org www.supercollege.com www.easfaa.org

Check out page 58 to learn what it costs to go to school in Maryland!

CAREER

44 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My grandmother inspired me growing up. She had an unbelievably strong work ethic and an even stronger spiritual foundation. Childhood summers spent working with her on the farm have helped to shape me into the person I am today. I’ve always had an interest in engineering and my parents nurtured that interest. They helped to plant the seeds of engineering in my life.

I work in Prince George’s County.

My Key Choices & Decisions ...

My Typical Day ...

I chose to participate in an engineering summer internship program my final two years of college instead of the summer program for football. I knew that there was a bigger picture to life than football and I needed to make the right decisions to ensure a bright future.

7:00 a.m. Wake up, shower and eat breakfast. 9:00 a.m. Check my e-mail or voicemail and prioritize what tasks need to be completed for the day. The tasks always vary. They usually range from design work, fabrication of one of my designs, or analysis and testing of something that I have designed. Often my tasks involve exchanging technical information with one of my colleagues in order to solve a problem. 1:00 p.m. Return from lunch and continue my morning activities or prepare for an afternoon meeting. 4:00 p.m. Begin to wind down my day and make notes to prepare for the next day. 7:00 p.m. Work at home or exercise.

Why I Do It ... I enjoy working with cutting edge technology and am proud to work with such talented people. But the thing I enjoy the most about my job is the feeling of accomplishment I get in knowing that the fruits of my labor have helped to advance mankind’s knowledge of the universe and mankind’s place in the universe.

My Advice ...

Get the inside scoop on this job at

Do not succumb to peer pressure. Don’t allow someone else’s perception of you to affect your actions. If you find that your peers influence you to do things against your moral judgment or cause you to not achieve your goals, then you need to remove those peers from your life and surround yourself with peers with common goals as you.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Rich Dennison

Noble

Aerospace Engineer NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center

“Don’t let anyone, including yourself, set limits on what you can achieve.”

CAREER

46 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My first boss, Arthur Andersen, started his own firm and hired me to train his employees in accounting. He told me, “I want you to treat this like it’s your own corporation.” I did for two years, before I acted on faith and opened my own business. Arthur was my first client.

I work in Baltimore County.

My Key Choices & Decisions ... I changed my major in college. Originally I was majoring in business but I had always accelerated in math. My math professor sparked something in me when he pointed out my natural ability with numbers. He pushed me to explore accounting and see the many doors it could open.

My Typical Day ... 6:30 a.m. Wake up, meditate, check the calendar for prioritizing, return e-mails and go to the gym for an hour. 9:00 a.m. Meet clients, schedule appointments. 1:00 p.m. Network, meet with clients over lunch or take lunch to my office. 4:00 p.m. Meet with my big clients and work from home. 7:00 p.m. Have an evening snack at a restaurant with colleagues, spend time with my husband, enjoy a dinner of seafood and do a bit of shopping to wind down.

Why I Do It ... I love being my own boss. Every day is different. One day I could be at BGCO for four hours, the next I could be out meeting a new client.

My Advice ...

Get the inside scoop on this job at

Students need to focus on their grades. Counselors are there to help and advise students on course loads. Every student has options. Opportunities are endless. If a student is interested in a field of study there are job shadows available and internships. You can’t be afraid to reach out.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Maximilian Franz

Kesha

Owner and CPA K Jones Consulting

“It’s important to work hard and be successful but you should make sure you have fun while you’re doing it.”

RESOURCES

Students are asking on BeWhatIWantToBe.com How do you pick your college? What if I don’t get into the college I really want to go to and when I get the notice, it is too late to apply to other colleges? Also, is it hard to get into college?

Which college is best for my major? How can I find out which colleges offer different classes? – Allissa D.

Dear Allissa, A great place to get any information on any college is through their Web site. For information on the cost or financial aid, look for sections of the site like ‘For Prospective Students, ‘ ‘Admissions’ or (ready for this?) ‘Financial Aid!’ For information on classes, look for ‘Information for Current Students/Undergraduates,’ ‘Academics’ or ‘Course Catalog.’

Help me choose a career ... I am an aspiring photographer. But I’m still a little bit worried. And if I don’t make a living in photography, I would want to become a lawyer or journalist. So what do you think would be a better choice? – Wolfcall5200 in Wicomico County, Class 2012

Dear Wolfcall5200, I can’t tell you which is a better choice for you … only you know that. Go meet someone in that job. Talk with them! The best thing you can do now is to take challenging courses and get involved in school activities (art photo club - debate - mock trial - school newspaper or magazine) so that you have LOTS of options available to you. Good luck!

Paying for college, will scholarships cover it? If I get a full scholarship to a college, will that pay for ALL of my books, my tuition, etc.? – Ramsfootball12 in Charles County, Class of 2011

– Reese in Harford County, Class of 2012

Dear Reese, Good for you … getting to the right college doesn’t just magically happen; you prepare for it and take charge. So you are asking the right questions. All colleges have different dates for applying, so you have to check with them. You can always apply to more than one school at a time, too. College can be challenging, but there is a lot you can do now to prepare yourself. Take challenging classes, get used to asking for help (rather than hoping someone offers it to you), and set a schedule for yourself and stick to it! Also, go check out BeWhatIWantToBe.com/college. You can do it!

Maryland Scholars is MY ticket, can I still be one? Do I have to get good grades all four years of high school in order to be a Maryland Scholar? — Shorty4258 in Baltimore City, Class of 2011

Dear Shorty4258, All four years of high school matter! But it is not too late to work hard, take the right courses and do your best. You need to end up with a 2.5 GPA overall to be a Maryland Scholar. So, if you had trouble in 9th or 10th grade and CAN pick your grades up, you can still be a Scholar. Go for it at BeWhatIWantToBe.com/ScholarsPays. We’ll look for you as a Maryland Scholar in 2011!

Dear Ramsfootball12, Well, IF you get a FULL scholarship, yes, it will probably pay for all of that. But remember that there are a LOT of people trying to get a very small number of full scholarships — most people end up with partial scholarships. Go for it! But you should be realistic. Remember that getting a football scholarship means you have to be playing football the whole time. Injuries can really mess things up ... so you need to have a BACKUP plan. (On BeWhatIWantToBe.com there are some pro athletes who used school to create backup plans that are now paying off.) And check out NASA’s Noble ... His backup plan paid off after pro football. Did you know that even sports scholarships have academic/GPA requirements? Talk to your coach and school counselor about NCAA rules. Good luck!

COLLEGE

50 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My father. He works hard at everything. When I was in fourth grade I went to a gymnastics class with my friend. He introduced me to his brother who was on the gymnastics team at the academy and getting ready to graduate as a Seal. I knew then I wanted to become a Navy Officer from the Academy.

I go to school in Anne Arundel County.

My Key Choices & Decisions ...

My Typical Day ...

I struggled in math and was behind my classmates. I knew I needed math in order to get into the Naval Academy. I took a multitude of math classes to understand the basics. Getting a grasp on math wasn’t easy for me but with the support of my family and teachers I got the tools I needed to succeed.

5:30 a.m. Wake up and leave for swim practice. 6:30 a.m. Practice in the pool and then get ready for formation. 7:10 a.m. Eat breakfast, check e-mails and prepare for classes. 9:00 a.m. Attend classes. 12:00 p.m. Eat lunch, take a free period and go to another class. 1:00 p.m. Attend noon formation. 4:00 p.m. Work on diving in the pool. After swimming, I workout to improve my time for the Marine physical fitness testing. 8:30 p.m. Eat dinner and attend evening formation. Relax, finish up homework and watch TV. Later I go to the library for another few hours of homework.

Why I Do It ... I love to problem solve in difficult situations. I will be learning how to lead teams of people in the Marines. I am good at pushing myself physically and mentally. Through perseverance I can face any challenge. Having the basics of math, English and economics gave me the foundation I need in the Marine Corps.

Get the inside scoop on this job at

My Advice ... It is never too late to get ahead. I didn’t let the fact that I wasn’t a natural genius in math conquer me. With hard work every student can succeed in high school. Teachers and counselors want to help and get students over any academic hump they may be facing.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Rich Dennison

Jon

Economics Student United States Naval Academy

“Don’t get discouraged, high school will build the foundation you need to get ahead.”

50 biggest employers in Maryland Aerospace Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Lockheed Martin Corp. Northrop Grumman Corp.

Education Johns Hopkins University

Finance Bank of America Chevy Chase Bank

Health Care Adventist Healthcare Anne Arundel Medical Center Inc. Blue Cross of Maryland Inc. Greater Baltimore Medical Center Heartland Employment Services Helix Health System Inc. Holy Cross Hospital of Silver Spring Inc. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Johns Hopkins Hospital Kaiser Permanente Mercy Hospital Peninsula Regional Medical Center Sinai Hospital St. Agnes Healthcare Inc. University of Maryland Medical System

Information Technology Computer Sciences Corp. IBM Science Applications International Corp.

Restaurants Darden Restaurants McDonald’s Restaurants of Maryland OS Restaurant Services Inc. Wendy’s Old Fashion Hamburgers

Retail Best Buy Food Lion Giant Food Stores Home Depot J C Penney Lowe’s Macy’s Rite Aid Corp. Sears Safeway Target Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club Weis Markets Inc.

Telecommunications Cellco Partnership Comcast Verizon Maryland Inc.

Other Administaff Companies BGE Marriott International Administrative Services Southwest Airlines Company UPS W L Gore & Associates Inc. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of Labor Market Analysis and Information, 2008.

CAREER

54 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... I was inspired by art, and professional athletes, and anyone who has mastered a unique skill or talent. I work in Wicomico County.

My Choices & Key Decisions ... I wasn’t a good student, mostly because I was a procrastinator. It’s something I still battle today. I chose not to go to college, which forced me to find a job. I worked for a woodworker for 13 years and then decided to try it on my own.

My Typical Day ... 8:00 a.m. Drive my son to school, go to my shop and decide what my day will involve. 1:00 p.m. Have lunch on the run. 4:00 p.m. Meet with clients and get materials. 7:00 p.m. In the evenings, I sometimes sit down and sketch potential work and do estimates.

Why I Do It ... I like working with my hands, and being able to take a drawing and make it into a functional object. I love helping clients make their homes more beautiful with my work. The best part is seeing a customer happy with my work and getting referrals.

Get the inside scoop on this job at

My Advice ... Teachers want all their students to succeed, even if it doesn’t always appear that way.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Rich Dennison

Jack

Founder/Owner Grateful Wood LLC

“Education, hard work and honesty will always help in your success.”

CAREER

56 www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com

My Inspiration ... My parents really inspired me to become a football player. Because of them I always believed in myself, even when faced with peer pressure and other people’s negativity and doubt about my dreams.

I work in Baltimore County.

My Key Choices & Decisions ... I played for my high school football team. That earned me a football scholarship to the University of Maryland College Park. There, I was chosen as the school’s First Team All ACC Student Athlete of the Year. This hard work, early on, is what led to me being drafted by the National Football League.

My Typical Day ... 7:00 a.m. Wake up and face the day. 9:00 a.m. Attend team meetings at Ravens headquarters. 1:00 p.m. Practice football with my teammates. 4:00 p.m. Attend more meetings to go over play strategy. 7:00 p.m. Watch film to study and prepare for opponents.

Why I Do It ... I love playing football. If that weren’t enough, I get to travel all over the country for my job and my salary is very high. Being a role model for the people of Baltimore is an honor. The fans are the best part of my job.

Get the inside scoop on this job at

My Advice ... I learned early on to never drink alcohol or do drugs. I never would have made it as a professional football player if I had given in to peer pressure.

BeWhatIWantToBe.com Photo by Maximilian Franz

Domonique

Professional Football Player Baltimore Ravens

“The most important thing you can learn in college is time management. “

COLLEGE

College tuition in Maryland Community Colleges ...

Public Colleges ... Incoming Freshmen Average

Name

Location

Web site

# of Undergrads

Cost per credit hour

Cumberland

www.allegany.edu

3,567

$182

Location

Web site

# of Undergrads

Yearly Tuition

Financial Aid Package

GPA

Allegany College of Maryland

Bowie State University

Bowie

www.bowiestate.edu

5,483

$4,286

$6,943

3.11

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold

www.aacc.edu

14,834

$169

Coppin State University

Baltimore

www.coppin.edu

3,051

$3,527

$8,833

2.8

Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore

www.bccc.edu

19,000

$88

Frostburg State University

Frostburg

www.frostburg.edu

4,300

$5,000

$6,906

3.04

Carroll Community College

Westminster

www.carrollcc.edu

13,658

$85.96

Morgan State University

Baltimore

www.morgan.edu

1,206

$4,280

$6,720

3.0

Cecil College

North East

www.cecil.edu

2,276

$175

Salisbury University

Salisbury

www.salisbury.edu

7,281

$6,412

$6,965

3.5

Chesapeake College

Wye Mills

www.chesapeake.edu

3,579

$159

St. Mary’s City

www.smcm.edu

1,991

$6,617

$6,500

3.5

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick, Waldorf

www.csmd.edu

9,979

$171

Towson University

Towson

www.towson.edu

13,231

$7,314

$8,991

3.5

Community College of Baltimore County

Catonsville, Dundalk, Essex

www.ccbcmd.edu

28,251

$183

University of Baltimore

Baltimore

www.ubalt.edu

2,680

$5,325

$9,919

3.04

Frederick Community College

Frederick

www.frederick.edu

5,748

$200

U. Maryland – Baltimore County

Catonsville

www.umbc.edu

9,612

$8,780

$11,479

3.57

Garrett College

McHenry

www.garrettcollege.edu

777

$216

U. Maryland – College Park

College Park

www.umd.edu

26,475

$8,053

$9,219

3.92

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown

www.hagerstowncc.edu

3,600

$153

U. Maryland – Eastern Shore

Princess Anne

www.umes.edu

4,130

$4,112

$13,352

2.8

Harford Community College

Bel Air

www.harford.edu

8,297

$154

Adelphi

www.umuc.edu

33,384

$230/ semester hour

$4,745

N/A

Howard Community College

Columbia

www.howardcc.edu

7,905

$197

Germantown, Rockville, Silver Spring

www.montgomerycollege.edu

20,000+

$209

Largo

www.pgcc.edu

3,027

$167

Salisbury

www.worwic.edu

3,672

$197

Name

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

U. Maryland – University College

Montgomery College Prince George’s Community College Wor-Wic Community College

Private Colleges ... Incoming Freshmen Average

Examples of Other Options ...

Name

Location

Web site

# of Undergrads

Yearly Tuition

Financial Aid Package

GPA

Name

Baltimore International College

Baltimore

www.bic.edu

800+

$17,076

N/A

2.5

American Beauty Academy

College of Notre Dame of Maryland

Baltimore

www.ndm.edu

1,686

$26,500

$18,300

3.35

Kaplan College

Goucher College

Towson

www.goucher.edu

1,350

$33,294

$24,213

3.17

Lincoln Technical Institute

Hood College

Frederick

www.hood.edu

1,449

$26,200

$20,854

3.52

TESST College of Technology

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore

www.jhu.edu

4,555

$39,150

$30,002

3.71

Loyola College in Maryland

Baltimore

www.loyola.edu

3,500

$36,510

$26,360

3.46

Maryland Institute College of Art

Baltimore

www.mica.edu

1,633

$33,000

N/A

3.59

There’s a lot more where these came from ...

McDaniel College

Westminster

www.mcdaniel.edu

1,700

$32,000

$22,446

3.49

For schools not listed here, visit these sites on the Web

Mt. St. Mary’s University

Emmitsburg

www.msmary.edu

1,695

$28,420

$18,074

3.14

St. John’s College

Annapolis

www.stjohnscollege.edu

450

$39,992

$29,200

3.5

Stevenson University

Stevenson

www.stevenson.edu

3,000

$19,234

$12,492

3.4

Washington College

Chestertown

www.washcoll.edu

1,300

$34,690

$22,219

3.39

www.collegeboard.com www.petersons.com www.princetonreview.com

Location

Web site

Specialty

Baltimore, Wheaton

www.americanbeautyacademy.org

Cosmetology training

Frederick, Hagerstown

www.kaplancollege.edu

Flexible scheduling

Columbia

www.lincolnedu.com

Technical training

Baltimore, Beltsville, Towson

www.tesst.com

Associate degrees

www.search4colleges.com www.usnews.com

HIGH SCHOOL

What to see and do on your campus visit What to see ... • The student dorms. • How far is the walk to class? • Are the dorms co-ed? • Do they have study areas? • Is there a laundry room for students? • The main library. Is there a computer lab for student use? • The student cafeteria. Is there a variety? What is the student food plan? Try the food if you can. • The student bookstore. • Planning on joining a sports team? Or maybe just a fan? Take a peek at the stadiums while on campus. You may even be able to attend a game.

What to ask ... It is most important to visit any campus when school is in session, so you can really get a feel for what it’s like during a normal day. You can try to schedule your next visit on a high school administrative day, when you have off but colleges are still holding classes. You can also use your spring break to visit out-of-state schools — some colleges will even let you spend the night in one of their dorms. If you’re required to meet with an admissions officer, try to coordinate your interview during your visit.

• What courses of study/majors do they offer/specialize in? • What kinds of transition support services do they offer freshmen? • How do you get help when you need it? • What’s the student-teacher ratio?

Remember … After visiting a few schools, they may start to all seem the same. Bring your camera to help you remember the different experiences.

Picture yourself spending the next two or four years here.

Is it the right school for you?

What to do ... • Interview with an admissions officer. • Take a tour with a student guide. Ask them questions about their experiences … • Why did they choose this college? • What is their major? • What do they do for fun? • Read the student newspaper. What is happening on campus? • Thinking about joining a fraternity or sorority? Ask your guide about the Greek life on campus. • Pick up some information on aid at the financial aid office. • Venture off-campus. Is it a safe area? Are there movie theaters and restaurants? Could you find an off-campus job? What kind of public transportation is available?