Full Careers

What is career center exactly or where can I find out more about the fields I am interested in?

I am in high school and still unsure of the future. I don't think my councilor is any guidance because whenever I ask questions about service like volunteering in a hospital, he says he doesn't know. I like science and math and I think I want to try to be around the medical environment but I don't know where to start. I live near this university and I was thinking of going there to look for guidance. I also know someone from another university who helps with some science research and I wonder if it's possible for a student like me to participate. Where can I find my possibilities and where do I start?!?! I feel so lost.....

Public Comments

1. If you live near a university, then by all means, try to go to their career center and ask for help. Usually, universities have someone working at the career center assisting students. However, since you are not a university student, you might not be able access as much information as a university student would. That being said, the person who works at the career center may be able to help direct you to where to look for the information you seek better than your high school counselor. It is very possible for a student like you to participate in research at the university level. You will probably not get paid as you will be a volunteer researcher to give you experience and hands on work to see if you like that field. Not all professors will accept high school students. Don't be discouraged and ask around. Ask your connection if he/she can help you get an interview with a professor to see if you can do some of this volunteer research. You can also go to the university's web site and look up faculty in the field that you are interested in and email professors to see if they are accepting any high school students to do some simple research for experience. I did this in high school and when I was in graduate school, we had some high school volunteers as well. So it is very possible. Good Luck.
2. Your Guidance Counselor sounds worthless. You should go to your local hospital's Human Resource Department to ask about volunteering. If they don't have anything, try a nursing home. There is a test called the Myers Briggs that is the most validated test to assess a person's personality type. It also suggests possible career fields that should interest your personality type. Here's one online that might help you: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm