<p>I'm heading off to college soon as I am a high school senior currently. I KNOW that I will need to be employed when I get to college because I will be paying out of state tuition rates for the first year at least. I know people are going to suggest that I take up a near minimum wage job that will require no brainpower but I don't really think this is for me. If I'm going to work, I want my work to be meaningful, otherwise I'll lose interest and might decide to just take ob gobs of loans to pay for college.</p>
<p>Therefore, I was wondering if there are any skills I can learn now or within the next year to get a skilled albeit low-paying job? I attend a local community college for chemistry and mathematics but I'm increasingly seeing these as impractical uses of my time. I have time to register for some vocational training courses.</p>
<p>To give you an idea of what I'm anticipating to do I'll list a few of my interests. I enjoy building computers from scratch, researching computers, and even programming to a lesser extent. I work as a volunteer campaigner for a political candidate but this is obviously not bringing in any cash. My major in college will be chemical engineering and I may change to electrical/computer if those academic areas interest me more. </p>
<p>So CC, any advice on how I can improve my marketability and get a non-fast food job while in college? Please don't assume that I know anything about the job market; I'm a senior in high school and I've held one summer job in fast food. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
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<p>I looked at your other posts and saw that you’re applying to Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Carnegie Mellon. I assume that many of the colleges you are applying to will be of a similar caliber. First, if you are a U.S. citizen, these colleges meet 100% of demonstrated need. Note that this means that your family will be asked to pay what it can, not what it would like to. Second, these colleges are private universities, meaning that there’s no difference in price for instate residents vs. out-of-state students. Third, even if you do attend an out-of-state school, it probably will be very difficult to gain instate residence. I believe that you’re assumed to have the same residency as your parents/guardians, in the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary.</p>
<p>As for working, there’s next to no way that you could make enough money to make a significant impact on the cost of attendance of a private school or out-of-state public… particularly because most of the top schools will require you to attend full time. Also, there will be very limited opportunities because you’ll likely have to work at night and on weekends due to classes and you probably won’t have terribly marketable skills, even if you do take a few vocational classes. If you still want a job that’s no waiting tables/fast food look for a federal work-study position (if you qualify for need-based financial aid) or an institutional work-study position (if you don’t). These positions aren’t usual difficult to come by, are located on campus, work with your schedule, and aren’t usually very demanding. You could also look into private tutoring in math, chemistry, SAT, etc.</p>
<p>Well I have a peculiar situation. My family income is about $120k - we are by no means struggling to survive. Yet, there’s a medical situation with my sibling which makes it impossible for my mom to work and also drains us financially (it’s a life long illness). I don’t know if they would really take that into account heavily. I’ve done financial aid calculators for Cornell and they estimated about $15k for me. </p>
<p>Also, I am under no illusion that I’ll get into any of these selective colleges. I’m looking at a public university that is reputable (University of Maryland) which I know I can get into. Again, for reasons I can’t go into, I know for a fact I’ll pay out of state first year and in state for the rest.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion on tutoring for extra cash. I could definitely use my only credentials - academics - to generate some revenue. I don’t know how feasible this is though. Do you mean I go interview for positions in Kaplan or Sylvan or whatever academic coaching company?</p>
<p>thanks for the quick and thoughtful reply!</p>
<p>Don’t assume that a political campaign won’t pay for skilled help. Also check Craigslist and Idealist for canvassing positions for organizations that work on public issues (clean air and water, education, voter registration, animal welfare, etc.). </p>
<p>Can you design a website? Use social media to promote a business or cause? Type well enough to do data entry? Answer telephones, speaking to prospective and current customers?</p>
<p>Can you walk dogs? Did you ever take the Red Cross babysitting class or get certified as a lifeguard or first aid provider?</p>
<p>Have you ever delivered pizza by bike or car? Washed cars?</p>
<p>See what other opportunities your career service office knows about.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Almost forgot. Do you help to take care of your sick sibling? You may have skills to get hired in a hospital or nursing home.</p>