Does the phrase sound familiar? It’s one of my favorite expressions. An interesting observation is that most interpretations are different when relating it to college and career planning. Even though the concept is similar to "early awareness" and "early preparation," "early intervention" gets labeled as the naughty word.
When we dream about our goals and aspirations, it helps to have a plan that navigates us to our destination. As important as it is to know, “What will it be and how will I get there?” is, “When will I start?”
I recently spoke to graduate students in a school counseling program on college admissions planning for high school students and asked their perception of early intervention. An early plan of action was the general consensus of the group. The perspective that commitment to a college isn’t the immediate goal made it more acceptable; especially, when working with grades K-10. Remember, the student is not making a decision to matriculate, only to explore possibilities.
Presenting the concept of post secondary education options to elementary, middle, and early high school students is not radical. However, delaying it until the junior and senior year of high school is a disservice. When college planning is presented early, the goal is not a final choice or selection for the young student. I prefer to think of it as a motivator. It gives a student something to strive for academically, personally, and maybe even socio-emotionally.
A junior who wakes up one morning and decides to become an engineer is in for a rude awakening if he/she is not taking competitive math classes. And don’t forget that physics needs to be on the radar, also. However, an early awareness of the career and its educational requirements might encourage a student to take school more seriously, embrace the challenges of math, and become more enthusiastic about the future.
Success in education requires early intervention. When younger children learn to appreciate the value of reading, analytical reasoning, and writing, it reduces the pressure of SAT/ACT prep classes substituting as “band-aids” for anxious juniors and seniors.
As young students peek in their crystal ball, they will benefit from early intervention as they prepare for life after high school. It will help them answer the questions, “What will I be doing in the future? Why should I be successful in school and how can I make it happen?” Early awareness gives them a push to become motivated, which is a major player in high school success.
If you need some suggestions for early intervention, consider the following:
· Arrange a job shadow activity
· Encourage a positive attitude for learning
· Pursue a community service activity
· Participate in summer enrichment programs
· Attend athletic/fine arts events on a college campus
· Help your child build confidence and positive self-esteem
· Encourage good communication skills
· Monitor personal and social development
· Encourage reading and include book discussions
· Make vocabulary development a family activity
· Monitor your child's math skills
· Ask your child questions and encourage him/her to be inquisitive about new information
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